Support over the winter break
The YoungMinds office and our Parents Helpline will be closed from 25 December - 2 January.
If you need support during this time, there are lots of helplines and services you can turn to.
Find out how to get help below.
If you need someone to talk to directly, these services are available over the festive period:
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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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Shout
Text SHOUT to 85258.
Shout provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
- 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
We are here for you
Whether you want to understand how you’re feeling, find ways to feel better, or support someone who's struggling, we’re here to help.
Tips for the winter months
Hear from young people about what helps them through the winter, and from a parent about how they support their child during the festive period.
Celebrating diverse stories
We know that young people from marginalised communities are often left out of the mental health conversation. We want to change that. Here you'll find real and honest stories rooted in their experiences.
Latest guides and advice
Check out our most recently updated guides and advice for young people, parents and carers.
Frequently asked questions
Our website is full of advice and information to give young people the tools to look after their mental health. We empower parents and professionals to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives. And we give young people the space and confidence to get their voices heard and change the world we live in. Together, we can create a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health.
Find out more about our work and impact.
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.
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.
No, we’re not part of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). We're a charity that offers information and advice to young people, parents and carers. Check out our guide to support which covers how CAMHS work, how you can get help from CAMHS, what happens at an assessment, what your rights are and more. We do not offer one-to-one support for CAMHS assessments, treatments or complaints.
If you're a parent or carer, find information about accessing CAMHS and other services on our getting support from mental health services page. Or contact our Parents Helpline for more advice.
We help parents and carers who are worried about their child’s mental health with tips, information and advice online and through our Parents Helpline service. Use our parent helpfinder to find the right support for you.
Whether you work at a youth club, coach a sports team, or run extra-curricular activities outside of school, we know the positive and crucial role you play in the lives of young people. We have information, tips and resources for you to feel confident when responding to a young person's wellbeing needs.
