As you have grown and progressed as children, teenagers and adolescents, you have experienced a variety of changes and new demands.
Middle school is known as a difficult time for young people, large classrooms and rigid time schedules, as well as increasing academic expectations. You also begin to focus on issues related to yourself as you become self-aware on a deeper level and very conscious of those around you and there so called opinions of you! Your thoughts around your self-worth, self-esteem, sexuality, identity, future plans and relationships with others can become an unconscious battle field within your mind that impacts how you feel and then go on to behave.
As you continue to grow, you have other typical concerns around career plans, educational pursuits and the development of more intimate personal relationships...you have a lot going on as you grow towards adulthood!
So it's no surprise and it's not uncommon for you to experience symptoms of anxiety stemming from the stressors produced by expected developmental transitions.
Things can very easily feel overwhelming and it's ok to not feel ok!
There is hope and we are here for you too. Help is available if you need it, including urgent 24/7 support and mental health services.
This can be a difficult time. For example, you may:
You can read blogs from Professor Prathiba Chitsabesan, National Clinical Director for Children and Young People’s Mental Health about:
You can also find helpful tips and videos on the Every Mind Matters website.
Remember, you are not alone. You can talk to a parent, teacher or your GP about your mental health.
If you or a loved one are struggling and facing a mental health crisis, you can call your local NHS urgent mental health helpline any time of day or night.
Find a local NHS mental health urgent helpline
If someone's life is in danger now, call 999 or go to A&E.
Public Health England's Every Mind Matters website provides support, including tips on how to improve your mental wellbeing.
YoungMinds has a wealth of resources on their website, as well as providing dedicated crisis services.
The YoungMinds Crisis Messenger provides free crisis support every day of the week, at any time day or night. You just need to text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) provides advice and support for young people who feel like they want to take their own life, and all their advice is confidential. You can:
Samaritans are an organisation you can ring at any time of the day or night. They'll help you and listen to how you’re feeling. You can:
SHOUT provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope and anyone in crisis. You can:
This service is free on all major mobile networks.
Childline provides a confidential telephone counselling service for any child with a problem. It comforts, advises and protects. You can:
The Mix provides a free confidential telephone helpline and online service that aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem. You can:
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing community, accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy.
It includes:
The charity Beat provide information to help young people who may be struggling with an eating problem, including an eating disorder.
They also provide advice, links to local support and one-to-one webchats.
You can call their dedicated helplines:
You can also email them at:
Beat are open 365 days a year. You can contact them on weekdays from 9am to 8pm and weekends from 4pm to 8pm.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists also has information for young people, parents and carers about young people's mental health.
Getting help from a specialist CYPMHS is different depending on where you live and waiting times can vary too.
Most CYPMHS have their own website, with information about access, referrals, helpful resources and more. This includes phone numbers, so you can get in touch directly for detailed advice.
You can also look at your local clinical commissioning group (CCG) website and search for children and young people's mental health.
Find clinical commissioning groups in your area
You may also find it helpful to speak to:
If you already have support from social care or youth services they should be able to refer you for an appointment with someone in specialist CYPMHS.
There are many other services to go to for help without having to ask for a referral, including crisis helplines that anyone can call.
Read more about where to get urgent help for mental health.
UK Leading charity fighting for children & young people's mental health.
National Citizen Service is a way for 15 to 17 years old's living in England & Northern Ireland to make new friendships, learn new skills & create unforgettable memories.
The Care Leavers Association is a national user led charity aimed at improving the lives of care leavers of all ages.
Emotional support for children & young people on issues relating to child abuse, bullying ect.
Provides legal advice & information on areas of child, family & education law.
When visiting the site, follow the link to the Child Law Advice Service where you will be able to view a range of fact sheets & how to guides.
Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away & come back.
You can also contact the helpline if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they being treated badly or abused.
A dedicated space for young people with Epilepsy. Find life hacks, share experiences, get answers.
Information, support & signposting service for young people under 25 on sexual health. Also run a confidential enquiry service via the Brook website. Details of local services available via text message (see website for details) centres throughout the UK offering free contraception, pregnancy testing & counselling.
Site aimed at children & young people with advice on staying safe online, online games, chatroom's, email & mobile phones.
An interactive site with resources for young people with depression using self help ideas & relaxation techniques.
Understanding what healthy relationships are & what is not acceptable in a relationship.
The largest student community in the world. Discuss anything - Universities, health, relationships, lifestyle, finance, careers, jobs & more.
We will continue to add to this selection, so please come back and check anytime.
My view of me (docx)
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DownloadDraw your pain (docx)
DownloadAnxiety Breakdown (docx)
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