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I feel like I am struggling with my mental health - where can I get support?

If you are going through a difficult time or you're worried about how you're feeling, we understand it can be really scary and upsetting. The important thing to know is that you're not alone, and there are lots of places you can get good information and support.

Advice: If you feel ready, try talking to a trusted adult or close friend about how you are feeling. Very often they can help you find support. If you are in school or college, there will be in most cases confidential support available or help to access support services. You can also access information, advice and support through your Local Authority Family Information Service who can help get you the support you need.

The support you can access is different depending on where you live. However, there will be a Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) Service in your county. CAMHS is the name for the NHS services that support children and young people with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

There are NHS CAMHS services across Wales, with local teams made up of friendly and supportive staff. These staff will include nursestherapistspsychologists, child and adolescent psychiatrists (medical doctors specialising in mental health), support workers and social workers, as well as other professionals.

CAMHS provide support for many different types of conditions or issues children and young people can experience, including depressionproblems with foodself-harmabuse, violence or angerbipolar disorderschizophrenia and anxiety, among other difficulties.

Most CAMHS services work with the whole family to support a young person's health. This might mean asking parents/carers/guardians to come along to assessment and treatment appointments, depending on your age and what level of involvement you want your parent(s)/carer(s)/guardian(s) to have.

The first step to getting help from CAMHS is usually that you will be referred for a CAMHS assessment. This referral can come from your parents/carers, or yourself if you are old enough (depending on where you live). Professionals like a teacher or GP (most GP surgeries will offer phone appointments) can in some areas refer. If you're being supported by social care, a youth team, or a service at your school, they might also be able to refer you.

If you’re not ready to speak to someone you know or are isolating don’t worry, you can still access confidential helplines and useful online resources. www.dewis.wales is a good place to find services in your area. See below for other useful links and services that can help:

 

Hwb Young Person’s Mental Health Toolkit

Here you will find six playlists to direct you to a wide range of online resources to help you through the lockdown and beyond. In each of the playlists you'll find self-help websites, apps, helplines, and more that are here to support your mental health and well-being. https://hwb.gov.wales/repository/discovery/resource/e53adf44-76cb-4635-b6c2-62116bb63a9a/en?_ga=2.151518460.459291157.1604913013-1431377124.1568902089

 

CALM HARM: Mobile App to help teenagers resist or manage the urge to self-harm (Free)

 

 

 

CHILDLINE: www.nspcc.org.uk 0800 1111

HARMLESS: Offer advice and Information regarding young people who may self-harm or experience such thoughts. www.harmless.org.uk

YOUNGMINDS: www.youngminds.org.uk  0808 802 5544

SELF HARM UK: Offers an online space to talk and ask questions about concerns in their life. www.selfharm.co.uk

RETHINK MENTAL ILLNESS: www.rethink.org  0300 5000 927

National Self Harm Network: NSHN is an online forum that lets you talk to other people in a safe, controlled environment.  www.nshn.co.uk

THE MIX: 0808 808 4994

PAPYRUS: Papyrus HOPElineuk 0800 068 41 41 www.papyrus.org.uk

YOUNGMINDS CRISIS MESSENGER: Text YM to 85258 for free 24/7 support 

HEADSPACE: is a mindfulness app with lots of different programmes to support mental health

SANE: Saneline operates from 4.30pm to 10.30pm Daily for mental health support 0300 304 7000

WELLMIND: This App was developed by the NHS and helps with symptoms of anxiety and depression. It’s a great way of keeping track of your thoughts and feelings.

CATCH THAT THOUGHT: This app is great to monitor difficult thoughts and emotions, when you experience them and where.

THE STRESS AND ANXIETY CAMPANION: The app encourages positive thinking through its simplified CBT process and helps you to understand triggers.

THRIVE: This app helps you collect your thoughts and understand your emotions.

MEIC: MEIC is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what’s going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen even when no-one else will. We won’t judge you and will help by giving you information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change - https://www.meiccymru.org/

Mind: http://www.mind.org.uk/

 

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