Useful Links
INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND CORONAVIRUS
Mental Health & Emotional Support for children, young people & families in County Durham
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-duringcoronavirus-outbreak
https://childmind.org/article/talking-to-kids-about-the-coronavirus/
NHS
If you are worried that your child is at immediate risk because their mental health has deteriorated, then you can contact the NHS in an emergency on 999. Or for advice you can contact NHS direct on 08454647 or via their website www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk.
If a child needs immediate medical attention then contact 999 or visit your local A&E. Here, health care professionals may contact the CAMHS team if they feel this is needed.
If you or your parents think you need some support from the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) then you can make an appointment with your GP to discuss a referral being made.
THE NATIONAL AUTISTIC SOCIETY
On their website you can find lots of information and support if your child has Autism. The website is www.autism.org.uk, They also have a social story on the website to help explain Coronavirus and easy read advice.
ADHD FOUNDATION
The ADHD Foundation has lots of advice and top tips for parents and young people who may be affected by ADHD. Their website is https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/ They have resources and stories about ‘The Umbrella Gang’ to help understand ADHD.
BULLYINGUK
BullyingUK offer online advice to support children, young people and their parents where they may be being affected by bullying. Their website is www.bullying.co.uk.
BEAT
Beat is a charity that works to support children and young people who have an eating disorder. Their website, https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk, provides some information about eating disorders, a web chat and information about where to seek support. Beat also have a helpline which is open 12-8pm Monday to Friday and 4pm-8pm on weekends.
The Helpline number is-
0808 801 0677
The Youthline number is-
0808 801 0711
CARE FOR THE FAMILY
Information, support and advice for parents/carers about everyday things which may impact on your child’s wellbeing. Their website is www.careforthefamily.org.uk https://www.careforthefamily.org.uk/family-life/parent-support
CHANGE GROW LIVE (CGL)
CGL work with young people between the ages of 10-18 years. They can offer support with lots of different things, including:
Drug and alcohol use
Health and wellbeing
Offending behaviour
Mental health
Family support
Someone else’s drug or alcohol use (also known as ‘hidden harm’)
Independent advocacy and visiting
They offer free and confidential advice to young people. Their website, www.changegrowlive.org, has lots of information about the help they can offer.
CHILDLINE
Childline offer telephone advice or support to children, young people and their families. Their telephone line is open 24 hours a day. If you need to talk to somebody then you can ring 0800 1111.
Childline also have an online chat where young people can talk to a counsellor one to one. Visit www.childline.org.uk for more advice.
On their website you will find videos and activities for ideas of managing difficult feelings- look a section on the website called ‘The Calm Zone’.
GRANDPARENTS PLUS
Online support for people looking after children in a kinship placement. They also offer local support groups- but these could be affected by Coronavirus outbreak and may not be able to run. For more information have a look at their website https://www.grandparentsplus.org.uk/ .
GRIEF ENCOUNTER
A really good online resource for young people affected by bereavement. There is an online chat service, support and ideas of ways to remember someone important. All on their website- https://www.griefencounter.org.uk/
They also have a support line for young people affected by bereavement- the number is 0808 802 0111 and it runs Monday to Friday 9am-9pm.
KIDS HEALTH
Kids Health have online advice for parents, children and teenagers about a number of different health issues and how to enhance positive wellbeing. Have a look at their website- https://kidshealth.org for more advice on how to look after your body in the best way possible.
KOOTH ONLINE
Kooth offer confidential support and advice for children and young people ,who are 11years plus who are struggling with their mental health or with managing their emotions. They have an online chat which can be accessed via- https://kooth.com/
The online chat can be accessed for advice on the following days and times- Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm & Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm
MINDED
www.minded.org.uk offer online resources and advice for parents or carers whose children are experiencing challenges with their mental health. They offer step by step advice about what to do if you are worried or faced with a crisis.
THE MIX
The Mix is a nationwide support service for young people up to the age of 25 years. They offer advice about lots of different issues including mental health, relationships, your body, money, crime, study and lifestyle.
If you want to find out more you can visit their website on, www.themix.org.uk. They have lots of articles on lots of different issues which you might find useful.
They also have a free phone number which is open daily from 11am to 11pm; 08088084994.
NATIONAL SELF-HARM NETWORK
The national self-harm network provides information and support to parents, carers, professionals and young people who are struggling with self-harm or wanting some more information about self-harm.
The website is www.nshn.co.uk. They have some really useful downloadable documents on their website. You can also access self-help resources specifically to help with managing selfharm.
The key documents that you might find useful are;
-First aid for self-harm
-Distractions that help
-Advice for parents and carers
-Advice for young people -What is self-harm?
NSPCC
The NSPCC is a national charity aiming to promote the protection of children and young people from any abuse. If you are a parent or carer and wanted to talk to somebody if you are worried about a child contact their helpline on 0808 800 5000. This is open 24 hours and is a free phone number.
NSPCC - PANTS Campaign
Teach your child the Underwear Rule and help protect them from abuse. It's a simple way that parents can help keep children safe from sexual abuse – without using scary words or even mentioning sex.
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/keeping-children-safe/underwear-rule/
PAPYRUS
Papyrus is the National charity for prevention of young suicide. They have a hopeline which is open 10am-10pm Weekdays and 2pm-10pm on weekends. The number is 0800 068 4141.
THE PROUD TRUST
Online resource for LGBT+ Youth. They have resources and information about local youth groups available on their website https://www.theproudtrust.org/ .
SAMARITANS
The Samaritans will listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries and troubles. You can call them on 116 123. This number is free to call and can be sued 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
SHOUT
This is a crisis text line which is open 24/7 and available to support people who are suicidal, struggling with self-harm, bullying, abuse or support. To get help text SHOUT to 85258.
SLEEP SCOTLAND WEBSITE
Good sleep is really important for our mental health. If you feel you are struggling with your sleep and want some advice about how to sleep well, then visit www.sleepscotland.org. They have lots of resources to help teach you and your family about sleeping well. Key things to look at can be found under the Sound Sleep section of this website.
YOUNG MINDS
Young minds do not operate a telephone for children or young people, but there is a list of different support services that are available if you need to talk to somebody but don’t know where to go. You can visit https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/need-to-talk/
If your parents or carers are worried about you and they want some advice, then they can ring the Parents helpline. The helpline number is 0808 802 5544. You can also contact Young minds online via https://youngminds.org.uk/contact-us/parents-helpline-enquiries/. They can take up to three days to reply to emails, so parents should not use this service if they are concerned that their child is at immediate risk of harm.