Below you can find links to various websites, apps and other resources which help support your understanding of your thoughts and behaviours, as well aid your wellbeing.
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Abuse is always wrong, and it can be very difficult to talk about but you’re never alone. If you’re worried about abuse, find it what it is and who can help you. There are different types of abuse:
Physical, being hurt by someone for no reason.
Mental or emotional, being treated badly, such as consistently being ignored or criticized.
Verbal, saying, shouting, or writing horrible things.
Neglect, not being looked after and kept healthy.
Child sexual abuse, being touched where you shouldn’t be or forced to take part in sexual activity.
Take the first step – you must tell someone. Start with your family, but if the abuser is known to them you might want to speak to someone else you trust, like a teacher or GP.
If you are in immediate danger call 999.
If you feel you can’t talk to people you already know, here are some services that can help.
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small. They are open 24/7, call them on 0800 11 11 or 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. They also host online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/abuse/
ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a condition where you have a lot of energy that you struggle to expel. This might make it difficult for you to concentrate and to control your behaviour. In addition, you may do or say things impulsively, without thinking.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/adhd-and-mental-health
Anger is a strong feeling of annoyance, usually in response to something wrong or bad. Other words people use for anger are mad, frustrated, annoyed or furious.
Anger can be unhelpful at times, it might make you yell or scream at those around you, even people you like or love. Sometimes when we feel angry, we can become aggressive towards others. We all feel angry sometimes, often there’s a good reason. Uncontrolled anger can be harmful, but you can learn to manage it.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/anger
Anxiety is a normal, human feeling that everyone has. Other words people use for anxiety are worry, fear or panic. When we face stressful situations, it can set off our brain’s in-built alarm system which tells us something isn’t right and that we need to deal with it. We call this the Fight, Flight, Freeze response, which is our body’s way of protecting us from harm. Our brain wants the difficult situation to go away, so it makes us feel more alert, stops us thinking about other things, and even pumps more blood to our legs to help us run away.
Most of us worry sometimes – about things like friendships or money – and feel anxious when we’re under stress, like at exam time. But afterwards we usually calm down and feel better. But when you’re not in a stressful situation, and you still feel worried or panicky, that’s when anxiety can get in the way of what is important.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/anxiety/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvM_TtQi9DU
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/anxiety/
Autism is not a mental health problem. It is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects how you see the world and how you interact with other people. People with a diagnosis of autism might struggle interacting with others in social situations and understanding emotions, find it difficult to be around loud noises or bright lights and sometimes they prefer to have a routine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbwRrVw-CRo
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/autism-and-mental-health
Bereavement is the experience of losing someone important to us. It's characterised by grief, which is the process and the range of emotions we go through when we experience a loss. This could be the loss of a family member, a friend, a pet or the loss or change of a relationship. Grief is a process rather than an event; it often takes time and space to come to terms with losing someone. It can be very difficult to adjust following the death of someone you love, and this may affect how you feel physically, socially and emotionally.
We all grieve differently. You might feel angry, sad, or depressed, or even guilty or relieved. There might be times when you are expecting it, such as anniversaries or ‘firsts’ without that person, or these feelings might catch you by surprise sometimes. Some people need extra support to help them through the grieving process whereas others feel most comfortable doing this alone or with family and friends. There is no right or wrong way to grieve, it is important to find the way that works best for you.
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/feelings-emotions/when-someone-dies/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/grief-and-loss/
https://www.winstonswish.org/supporting-you/grief-support-young-people/
You can chat with them anonymously if you wish and share whatever you are feeling. You can live chat between 8am-8pm, weekdays. You can email them on ask@winstonwish.org or call them for free on 08088 020 021 between 8am-8pm, weekdays.
Bobby Colleran Trust provides offers advice and counselling for grieving children and young people aged 5 to 19 years living or attending schools in the Liverpool, Huyton, Knowsley, and Sefton areas of Merseyside. Visit their Bereavement Support page, email them at thebobbycollerantrustbobbysbase@outlook.com or call 07961 418796.
Body image is how we think and feel about ourselves physically, and how we believe others see us.
When we talk about body image, there are lots of ways we can think about our body and the way we look. You might find that there are times when you like your body, or parts of your body, and times when you struggle with how you look.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/body-image/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/my-body/how-you-look/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs5Qb2dKyvU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1KdiI4UN9g&t=29s
Provides support for young people, parents and professionals. Their website www.bebodypositive.org.uk offers advice, resources and online training modules to help improve eating behaviours and relationships with food. Build positive body image and identify concerns around body image and disordered eating.
Bullying is when someone or a group of people try to intentionally hurt you physically (on the outside) or emotionally (on the inside/your feelings).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkuJwbHCg4E&t=11s
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/bullying/
You can phone Bully Busters Merseyside with a bullying issue, and we can give you some helpful tips so you can try and stop the bullying from happening.
If you would like, we can contact the organisation where the bullying is happening and let them know what is going on so they can put a stop to it.
It is a free to call and will not show up on your phone bill, mobile phones do charge but if you have your number handy, we can call you straight back. You could use a public pay phone and you wouldn't need any money, but if you do go out to use a phone, please tell an adult where you are going!
Please don’t suffer in silence, we are here to help call 0800 169 6928 we are open Monday - Friday 3.00pm - 6.00pm if you would like a chat or you can email BBusters@localsolutions.org.uk
The Diana Award Advice Messenger provides free* , 24/7 text support across the UK. If you are a young person under 25 who needs support, you can text DA to 85258. Trained volunteers will give you the space to share to how you’re feeling via text and help you think through the next step towards feeling better.
*Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
We all feel different emotions throughout our lives. Sometimes we might feel happy, or sad. Usually, these bad feelings go away eventually by themselves, but sometimes you feel sad, down and hopeless for a long time. It can then become hard to think about or do other things in your life. This is known as depression.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VRRx7Mtep8
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/depression/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/feelings-emotions/depression/
Drugs are substances which can cause big changes in your body when you take them. Medicines are types of drugs which can help you feel better if you’re unwell, but there are also illegal drugs that can have negative effects on your physical and mental wellbeing. Alcohol is also a substance, which you drink, that causes bodily changes.
People drink or take drugs for lots of reasons, this might be to have fun, curiosity, to fit in with friends or to help manage difficult feelings. It’s not unusual for teenagers to try alcohol or drugs, but sometimes this can cause problems, particularly if this is happening a lot.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/drugs-and-alcohol/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/family-relationships/parents-alcohol/
We Are With You is for you if you’re worried about drug or alcohol use, or someone else’s that you know, if you are under 18’s living in Sefton.
Come and talk to us if you’re worried about your drug or alcohol use. We can help you stop or cut down on what you’re using and help you with other problems you may be having. You can come and talk to us in a place that you’re comfortable with, like your local coffee shop or youth club. We also visit schools, community centres, and can even come to your home if you’d prefer. You don’t have to pay for any of our services and we won’t tell anyone about anything you tell us without your permission.
Call them on 0151 318 2804, email info@wearewithyou.org.uk or visit their website www.wearewithyou.org.uk/
Frank provides honest information about drugs and alcohol. Live chat service also available (2pm - 6pm, 7 days a week). Find information on accessibility, confidentiality and cost. Call 0300 123 6600, text 82111 or email frank@talktofrank.com
Eating disorders are characterised by an abnormal attitude towards food that causes someone to change their eating habits and behaviour. An eating disorder can affect anyone, at any age.
People who suffer from an eating disorder may use food to help them cope with stress or difficult situations. People may often do this without realising it. Similarly, people may also use food to stay in control of their life and their emotions. This may stop them from making realistic decisions about what they eat. In addition, how much they should eat.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/eating-problems
Kooth’s guide to understanding eating difficulties
Beat, offers information and support for anybody affected by eating disorders. There is One-to-one web chat available. They also run a range of online support groups, which are all fully moderated and anonymous, including a chat group for under 25s. Call 0808 801 0677 or email help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk. They are open 365 days a year - weekdays (9am - 8pm); weekends (4pm - 8pm).
Pressure to do well in exams can be overwhelming and affect your mental health.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/school-college-and-work/school-college/exam-stress/
Kooth’s Guide to coping with exam stress
Year 11 Assembly by Sefton Mental Health Support Team (22/04/2024)
Family difficulties can mean a range of different things and can affect people in different ways. Sometimes relationships between family members can be difficult for lots of reasons. It could be that you, your parents or siblings aren’t getting along, you may have lost contact with family members, experienced bereavement in the family or are experiencing lots of shouting and violence at home. These difficulties can have a big impact on how we feel and on the wellbeing of everyone in the family.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/family/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/family-relationships/family-relationships/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/home-families/family-relationships/parents-alcohol/
Kooth’s Guide to when your parent has a mental health condition
Having any particular sexual orientation does not mean you have a mental health problem. But the experiences you have because of your sexuality can impact your mental health. Sometimes, people are bullied, treated differently or badly because of their sexuality.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/sexuality-and-mental-health/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/sexual-identity/sexual-orientation/
The Star Centre address is 98b Linacre Lane, Bootle L20 6ES. We facilitate our LGBTQ drop in and support group. One to one and group therapeutic sessions are delivered throughout the week and on Saturdays. For more information about the Star Centre give us a call on 0151 474 4744.
New Beginnings Crosby is an LGBT youth group which caters for 11 to 19 year olds, it provide a safe space for young people to socialise and learn life skills, as there is little support for this group within other everyday environments. Call 07974 267 767 or email new.beginnings@sefton.gov.uk
Your gender identity is how you describe your gender. For example, you might say you are a woman, non-binary, transgender, a man, gender fluid, or something different. Your gender identity is your decision and is also about how you want others to treat you - for example, how you want people refer to you (‘she’, ‘him’, ‘they’ or something else).
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/gender-and-mental-health/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/sexual-identity/gender-identity/
Mermaids supports transgender, non-binary and gender diverse children and young people, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. Talk to them on 0808 801 0400, text MERMAIDS to 85258, webchat via their website https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/wp-content/themes/mermaids_theme/media/chat_open.jpg or email info@mermaidsuk.org.uk. Helplines open Monday to Friday 9am to 9pm.
Loneliness is an emotional response to feeling alone or isolated. There are lots of reasons you might feel lonely, this might include moving to a new place, changing schools, friendships or relationships ending or bereavement. Sometimes you might feel lonely even if you’re around lots of other people or have lots of friends.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/loneliness/
Kooth’s guide to understanding and managing feelings of loneliness
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. This is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention. It is open 24/7, contact them on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.org
5 Ways to Wellbeing
CAMHS is the name of the NHS Services that assess and treat young people with emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/guide-to-camhs/
Childline’s Toolbox can help you take your mind off things with games or you can use one of their tools to find ways to cope or get creative and let your feelings out.
https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/
Childline’s Calm Zone can make you feel calmer. It’s about finding what works for you. Try some breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of your stress.
https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
Mental Health First Aid Kit, give your ideas of things you can do when you are struggling to cope. Fill it out, print it out or keep a copy on your phone. If you are struggling to fill it in, it might help to do it with an adult your trust or a Childline Counsellor. You can also get advice from childline.org.uk/mental-health-first-aid-kit/
Childline’s Mental Health First Aid Kit
Counselling and therapy, when your struggling with your mental health, counselling and therapy can help us to process what’s going on in a safe environment. The link below explains what happens during counselling and therapy and how it can help you feel better.
Self-Care is just the little things we do to look after our own mental health. It’s about trying to listen to how we are feeling and understanding what we need, even if it’s difficult, so we can care for ourselves.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5OF9OafV2c
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/self-care/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/counselling-and-therapy/
Speaking to your GP, going to your GP about your mental health can feel like a big deal. The link below offers tips that can make it easier, so you feel comfortable and get the support you need.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/your-guide-to-support/how-to-speak-to-your-gp/
Supporting a friend with their mental health, it can be difficult to know how to respond when someone opens up to you. The link below gives advice on how you can support your friend, whilst looking after your own mental health.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/supporting-a-friend-with-their-mental-health/
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a type of anxiety disorder.
If you have OCD, you might think or picture something bad happening. To stop this happening, you might feel the need to do things again and again, such as washing your hands or counting things. This might make you feel better for a short time but soon you will feel worried again.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6b8u3oqjOI4&t=1s
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/ocd/
OCD Action offers support and information to anybody affected by obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Their opening times are 9:30am - 8pm, Monday – Friday. Call them on 0300 636 5478 or email them at youthhelpline@ocdaction.org.uk
There are lots of fun and interesting things you can do on the internet. And it can be a great way to stay in touch with friends. But it’s important to understand how to stay safe online.
Sometimes people will try to trick you into clicking dangerous links or sharing things about yourself. Or something you’ve shared might be used to bully or frighten you.
How you experience social media can affect your mood.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MO0MX3LCcQg
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/social-media-and-mental-health/
Having your nudes shared can feel scary, and it can leave you feeling worried or even ashamed. But it’s not your fault.
It’s against the law for anyone to share a sexual image or video of someone who’s under 18, and we’re working with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) and Yoti to help you remove any sexual image or video of you that’s online.
Report Remove is safe, easy and free. Read more about it using the link, https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/#Accordion1
Panic is an intense and overpowering feeling of fear or anxiety. When we face stressful situations, it can set off our brain’s in-built alarm system which tells us something isn’t right and that we need to deal with it. We call this the Fight, Flight, Freeze response, which is our body’s way of protecting us from harm. You might experience panic attacks, these are sudden episodes of panic which trigger intense feelings in your body such as a racing heartbeat, feeling hot or cold, sweating and much more.
During a panic attack you might feel like you can’t breathe, are having a heart attack or going to die. Most panic attacks last between 5 to 20 minutes and they can come on very quickly. Panic attacks can be frightening, but there are things you can do to help yourself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OGbi3Z52p4
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/anxiety-stress-panic/coping-panic-attacks/
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/panic-attacks/
Provides targeted, confidential service for children, young people and their families to support with emotional, mental health and behavioural issues. Support available for the following issues: anger issues, anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, bullying or friendship issues
and behavioural problems.
Chat Health is a messaging service. Send a message to 07312263291 to chat with a school nurse.
Self-harm is when an individual chooses to hurt themselves or make themselves feel pain in some way, this could be through cutting or burning yourself or by doing things such as drinking too much alcohol or taking drugs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ8C103vsGA
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/self-harm/
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/self-harm/self-harm/
Calm Harm provides a free app that helps you manage of resist the urge to self-harm.
If you’re feeling so down that you can’t see a way out, you are not alone. Lots of people have felt like this and – with help – managed to get through it. However bad you are feeling right now, there is a lot of help out there for you. Having a safety plan is important for when you have those thoughts. If you feel in immediate danger, call 999 and/or tell a trusted adult.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/my-feelings/suicidal-feelings/
Kooth’s guide to dealing with suicidal thoughts
Kooth’s guide to creating your personal safety plan
Papyrus offers confidential advice and support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts, as well as family and friends; and information about how to make a safety plan.
Its 24/7 helpline service - HOPELINEUK - is available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anybody concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide. Call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Sleeping difficulty is when you have trouble sleeping at night, this can also be known as Insomnia. It may be hard for you to fall asleep, or you may wake up several times throughout the night. Sleep difficulty may affect your physical and mental health. Lack of sleep may also cause you to have frequent headaches or trouble concentrating.
There are many things that can affect our ability to sleep well, this could be difficulties settling down, hunger or thirst, physical discomfort, fear or anxiety, bad dreams or changes in routine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk8a_JDVE6M
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/feelings-emotions/problems-sleeping/
Stress is what you feel when you are worried or uncomfortable about something. This worry in your mind can make your body feel bad. You may feel angry, frustrated, scared, or afraid — which can give you a stomach-ache or a headache.
When you're stressed you may not feel like sleeping or eating, or you might sleep or eat too much. You also may feel cranky or have trouble paying attention at school and remembering things at home.
There are lots of reasons you might feel stressed, for example worry about exams, difficulties in school or with your friends or problems at home.
Provides online support form children and young people in Sefton aged 11-25.
Kooth can direct you to a crisis service or you can join up to access counselling, advice and support online through their website www.kooth.com
Vaping is when someone uses a vape or e-cigarette to inhale vapour containing nicotine. They sometimes come in different flavours.
Many people start vaping to try and quit smoking, but this isn’t always the case. Vaping can be less harmful than cigarettes, but it is still addictive and isn’t considered completely harmless.
If you’re vaping, thinking about vaping or you’re feeling pressured to vape then it can help to talk about it.
https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/you-your-body/drugs-alcohol-smoking/vaping/
Sefton Young Carers is a specialist service for children and young people aged 5-16 years old who have a direct caring role at home. Upon receipt of a referral the needs of the young carer will be assessed and an appropriate offer of support made. For further information call 0151 288 6060, email help@carers.sefton.gov.uk or visit their website www.sefton-carers.org.uk
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/young-carers/
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