Children and young people

Introduction

For young people

Young people can experience a range of mental health problems.  Childhood and teenage years are a time when you are usually changing rapidly and developing all the time.

You also often have to cope with many different situations and unfamiliar challenges like exams, relationships and the other pressures of growing up.

While often it’s possible to talk to parents or carers about feelings, you may find it hard to do so. You might express how you feel through being moody, getting in trouble at school or home or by becoming angry easily. Some people also get odd aches and pains that can happen when you’re not able to say what you’re feeling.

If you’re able to carry on your usual life and don’t experience lasting unpleasant feelings the best help is for parents, relatives or friends to be available to listen, to talk things through and to support you where they can. 

More rarely, you may experience difficulties that are more severe or long lasting, or you may find yourself reacting to setbacks in a more extreme way. You may tell parents or friends that you are distressed or unable to cope, or you may try and hint that you are and hope they speak to you.  This can lead to the support you want.  Often though, you may find you show distress through acting differently, with more intense moods or behaviour, either at home, at school, or with friends.

Occasionally, your feelings or mood may be so extreme or upsetting that you need urgent help. If you’re self-harming, running away, or saying you no longer want to go on living then you may need immediate support. If this sort of feeling continues for some time it is a particular clue that you might need to look to get help to cope with your mental health.

For parents

If you are a parent living with a mental health problem you might find our guide to parenting and mental health useful. If you are concerned about a child then see organisations listed under 'useful contacts' for more information. 

Booklets for young people

• My name is Chris – A boy and girl experience bulimia and anorexia 
• My name is Jess – Tells the story of a teenage girl experiencing anger
• My name is Zac - About a teenage boy experiencing bereavement
• My name is Pete – About a teenage boy experiencing psychosis

Useful contacts

Childline
helpline: 0800 1111
web: www.childline.org.uk
Free 24-hour helpline for children and young people in the UK

Get Connected
helpline: 0808 808 4994
email: help@getconnected.org.uk
web: www.getconnected.org.uk
A free service including a ‘webchat’ facility for young people advising on how to get the best help

NSPCC
helpline (adults): 0800 800 5000
helpline (children and young people): 0800 1111
web: www.nspcc.org.uk
Specialises in child protection and the prevention of cruelty to children

Parentline Plus
helpline: 0808 800 2222 tel. 020 7284 5500
web: www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Support to anyone parenting a child

Samaritans
24-hour helpline: 08457 90 90 90 
email: jo@samaritans.org 
web: samaritans.org
Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, Chris
PO Box 90 90
Stirling
FK8 2SA
Emotional support for anyone feeling down, experiencing distress or struggling to cope.

The Site
web: thesite.org
Online guide to life for 16-25 year olds. Straight-talking emotional support is available 24 hours a day. Chat about any issue on our moderated discussion boards and live chat room.

Youth Access
tel. 020 8772 9900
web: www.youthaccess.org.uk  
Information on youth counselling

YoungMinds
tel. 020 7336 8445
parents helpline: 0800 802 5544 (for any adult with concerns about the mental health of a child or young person)
web: www.youngminds.org.uk 
National charity committed to improving the mental health of all babies, children and young people. Provides information for both parents and young people