Guides and advice
Your feelings are valid and things can get better.
Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling, get information about a mental health condition or find support, our guides can help. If you need help speaking to someone, start with our guide to reaching out for help.
Worrying about Israel and Gaza
The ongoing war in Palestine and Israel is devastating with children and their families are experiencing unimaginable suffering and loss.
We’re also hearing every day about the impact this is having on young people’s mental health here in the UK. You might be feeling hopeless, anxious, frustrated and excluded from the decisions being made by those in power.
If you're being affected by what's happening, or what you've heard in the news, know that the feelings of anxiety or trauma you may be experiencing are valid. There are ways to find a sense of hope, community and power in times like these. Below are some resources on where to find support and ways you can take action. You can also read our blog to help you cope with how you’re feeling.
If you’ve been a victim of the frightening rise in hate-motivated attacks in the UK, know that hate has no place in the world, ever. There is no excuse for antisemitism, Islamophobia or any acts of racism and we stand by you in solidarity.
However you're feeling, there are people who can help. Here are some helplines and services that can support you through this difficult time.
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Stop Hate UK
Provides independent, confidential and accessible support for victims and witnesses of hate crimes or discrimination.
Read information on accessibility.
Operates a specialist 24/7 support service for young people under the age of 18 called Call Hate Out.
You can report any form of hate crime through their website.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
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Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
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Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
We also have guides and advice to support you.
In times like these, feelings of helplessness can be overwhelming. But there are ways you can show solidarity with the people most affected. Here are some resources to help.
Talking about your mental health with the people you trust is often the first step to feeling better.
Frequently asked questions
Shout Textline offers you free, 24/7 text messaging support, wherever you are in the UK. Text SHOUT to 85258 to start chatting to a trained volunteer.
You can also call Childline to speak to someone about how you’re feeling.
If you are at immediate risk or harm, please call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Our urgent help page has more information on who can support you in a crisis.
We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. It’s about how we think, feel and act. Sometimes we feel well, and sometimes we don’t. When our mental health is good, we feel motivated and able to take on challenges and new experiences. But when our mental health is not so good, we can find it much harder to cope. Find out more about mental health.
We all have good days and bad days, but when negative thoughts and feelings start to affect your daily life and stop you doing the things you enjoy, or your ability to feel okay, this means you need support with your mental health. For example, nearly everyone gets anxious before an exam, a job interview or a first date. But if you feel anxious all the time and this is stopping you from sleeping well or meeting up with friends, you might need help. Find out more about mental health.
However you’re feeling right now is valid and things can get better – we’re here to help you on that journey. We have lots of advice and tips from other young people who've been there. Use our helpfinder to get advice on how to cope with what you're going through.
We provide young people with tools to look after their mental health. We empower adults to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And we give young people the space to get their voices heard. Find out more about who we are and what we do.
Whether you’re struggling with how you’re feeling, want to know more about a mental health condition or medication, or want to find support, we’re here for you. Use our helpfinder to find advice on how to look after yourself and where and how you can get the support you need.
If you want to tell your story, become an Activist or campaign for a better society for young people, join our movement.
Become part of our community by following us on Instagram or TikTok @YoungMindsUK.
Take a look at our guide to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to find out about how the service works, including information on how you can get help from CAMHS, what happens at an assessment, what your rights are and more. We also have information about other mental health services in our guide to support. We do not provide one-to-one support with CAMHS assessments, treatments or complaints.
Our guide to mental health conditions has lots of information to support you.
Shout offers you free, 24/7 text messaging support wherever you are in the UK. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, text SHOUT to 85258.
Please note that Shout is a separate and external organisation from YoungMinds.
Real life stories
Bayo
We've teamed up with The Ubele Initiative, Mind and Best Beginnings to help create a space for Black young people to find support, care and joy.
The word bayo comes from Yoruba and means “joy has found us”. We chose this as the name for this platform because we want it to be somewhere not just for Black young people to get support, but to draw strength.
We've featured organisations that work specifically with Black young people, including places where you can get mental health support in your local community.
Join the movement
Stand with us. Be the change.
Growing up today is tough. From the cost of living crisis to the climate emergency, the impact on young people’s mental health is undeniable, and you’re tired. But whether you’re organising in your school or community or exploring the idea of therapy, you’re making space for what you need and finding glimmers of hope and happiness in dark times.
But it’s not your fault that young people are facing a mental health emergency in the UK. And it’s not just on you to find a way through. With your trust in politicians at rock bottom, we want to be radical, think differently and revolutionise how society supports you with your mental health.
Your stories, your experiences, your joy and your voices can change the world – and we won’t stop standing with you until it’s the world you deserve.
Follow us on Instagram
Get help now
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Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
Hosts online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
-
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. N.B. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
- Opening times:
- 24/7
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The Mix
Free, short-term online counselling for young people aged 25 or under. Their website also provides lots of information and advice about mental health and wellbeing.
Email support is available via their online contact form.
They have a free 1-2-1 webchat service available during opening hours.
- Opening times:
- 4pm - 11pm, Monday - Friday
