Anxiety UK – provides support if you are dealing with anxiety. https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ Helpline:03444 775 774 Text: 07537 416905 Email: support@anxietyuk.org.uk

Blurt – support all those who are affected by depression. https://www.blurtitout.org/

CALM – run a free and confidential helpline and webchat – 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems. https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/get-help/

Helpline: 0800 58 58 58

Childline – Childline is a service provided by NSPCC. Trained Childline counsellors are there for young people 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Talking to Childline can be the first step that gets a child’s life back on track. And young people can get help and support with any issue they’re going through, no matter how big or small. https://www.childline.org.uk/  Helpline: Call 0800 1111

Give Us Shout – Anxious? Worried? Stressed? Get 24/7 help from our team of Crisis Volunteers. https://giveusashout.org/ Text: ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

MENCAP – support and information for people with a learning disability and their families. https://www.mencap.org.uk/

Mental Health Foundation – Committed to reducing the suffering caused by mental ill health and to help everyone lead mentally healthier lives. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Mind – information on all aspects of mental health. https://www.mind.org.uk/

Helpline: 0300 123 3393 (Information on our Infoline provides an information and signposting service. We’re open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)

OCD Action – provide support and information to anybody affected by OCD https://ocdaction.org.uk/ Helpline: 0300 636 5478

Out of the FOG – Helping family members & loved-ones of people who suffer from personality disorders. https://outofthefog.website/

Place2Be – Provides emotional and therapeutic services in primary and secondary schools, building children’s resilience through talking, creative work and play. https://www.place2be.org.uk/  Text ‘CONNECT’ to 85258 (Shout in partnership with Place2Be)

PAPYRUS – prevention of young suicide – support for young people under the age of 35 with thoughts of suicide, or those concerned about young people with thoughts of suicide. https://www.papyrus-uk.org/  Call: 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860039967  Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

RC Psych – Provide advice and information on mental health and wellbeing. https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health/parents-and-young-people

Rethink – advice and information for those suffering severe mental illness and their families or carers. https://www.rethink.org/

Samaritans – emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide. https://www.samaritans.org/

Helpline: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org (Sometimes writing down your thoughts and feelings can help you understand them better. Response time: 24 hours)

Sane – SANE is a leading UK mental health charity. We work to improve the quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness. Please explore the icons below to find out how we help people. http://www.sane.org.uk/

Helpline: 07984 967 708 (Leave a name and number) Email: support@sane.org.uk

Stand Alone – support and raise awareness about adults that are estranged from their family or children. https://www.standalone.org.uk/about/

Time to change – This charity is no longer in service however they have lots of resources on how to empower people with mental health issues to feel confident talking about their mental health without facing discrimination. https://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

Young minds (for children’s mental health) – information and resources for parents who may be concerned about the mental health of their child. https://youngminds.org.uk/

Anxiety

All children and young people feel worried sometimes, and this is a normal part of growing up. Anxiety can become a problem when a young person feels stuck in it, or when it feels like an overwhelming, distressing or unmanageable experience. If your child is struggling with anxiety, there are things you can do to help them.

Below are some resources to help you understand anxiety and how to help support your child:

• Anna Freud Centre – Who we are (annafreud.org)
• Childline – Worries about the world
• Education Support – 7 Strategies to Manage Anxiety
• Mental Health Foundation – The Anxious Child
• Priory Group – Understanding Anxiety
• Safe Hands, Thinking Minds – COVID, Anxiety, Stress; Resources and Links
• Young Minds – Helping Your Child with Anxiety

Big Feelings

As adults, we can usually identify how we are feeling and can self-regulate enough to handle our emotions. For children this kind of emotional intelligence can be tricky, but the good news is that this is a skill that can be developed and practised. Below are links to various websites and resources which will help you and your child to identify their feelings and give some techniques to help:

• Anna Freud Centre – Emotion Wheel
• BBC Bitesize – How can you cope with feeling angry
• Canadian Centre for Child Protection – Big Feelings Come and Go
• NHS – Talking to Children About Feelings

Please don’t hesitate to contact a member of staff if you need someone to talk to about any of these issues.