Young people and mental health – what support is available? Many young people experience emotional problems, varying from anxiety and depression, to eating disorders and relationship problems.
This page aims to provide signposting to support for young people experiencing mental health problems and guidance for parents on how to start the all important conversations around mental health.
Services and organisations
Below you will find information on all the services and organisations that took part in our Starting Conversations event as well as more local and national services.
Young Somerset
Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Support Delivered by us in partnership with the NHS, offering much-needed help to young people aged 5-18 with things like low-mood, anxiety and stress. Our specialist practitioners work in both community and education contexts.
Somerset Mindline
Distressed? Anxious? Feeling overwhelmed? You are not alone. Somerset Mindline are there to listen and support you every 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 01823 276 892.
Mind in Somerset
Youth matters peer support groups are now running in person and online. They are free and informal and give you the chance to meet other young people who may be experiencing similar issues in a safe, friendly and non-judgmental environment and allow you to both give and receive support to each other.
01935 474875 | 01823 334906 | 01278 421190
Youth Matters
Youth Matters Listening service is a confidential listening service not a counselling service but youth workers allow you to talk about your feelings and experiences and anything else on your mind. Getting things out in the open can make you feel better and can help you to resolve issues you may be facing. Mind in Somerset youth workers try to empower young people and build their confidence so they can make choices to better their own lives.
Kooth
Young people and mental health support – online. Free, safe and anonymous online mental health support and counselling for children and young people (up to the age of 19.) Referrals onwards to local services as appropriate.
Somerset and Wessex Eating Disorders Association
SWEDA provide support to anyone affected by eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, compulsive eating, binge eating disorder and all related conditions. Services include counselling and a monthly Self-help Support Group.
Phone: 01749 34 33 44
Somerset Council – Emotional Health and Wellbeing (Children & Young People)
Visit the Somerset Children and Young People Health and Wellbeing website for more information on their services.
Frome Medical Centre
Young Person’s Clinic Drop-in Clinic for health issues for 11-18 year olds.
School Nursing Team
School nurses are public health nurses who work with 5 to 19 year-olds, including children educated in school and those who are educated at home. They give confidential advice, care and treatment to children and young people, and work with parents and carers in schools and other community settings.
Chat Health
Chat Health is an initiative which was launched in June 2020 and managed by the School Nurse Team. This is a nationally recognised, secure and confidential text messaging for young people. It allows them to access health care professionals easily and anonymously for advice and support.
If you are a parent of a child aged 5-19 years send a message to 07480 635515
If you are a young person aged 11-19 years send a message to 07480 635516
Email: mendipsn@somerset.gov.uk
If you would like to find out more please visit School nurses (somerset.gov.uk)
LIFEbeat
LIFEbeat is a registered charity formed in 2009. Their mission is to improve the wellbeing of young people through building creative communities and a sense of belonging. They give young people the skills and inspiration to: overcome the challenges they face; navigate the divisions in society; lead confident, healthy and purposeful lives.
They run three strands of programming that complement each other:
Personal development for 14-18 year olds – LIFEbeat offers personal development programmes for 14-18 year olds, run in Somerset and Leicestershire.
Professional training – LIFEbeat offers professional training for youth workers, teachers, coaches, trainers and therapists.
Volunteering for adults- LIFEbeat offers fully supported volunteering opportunities to make a real difference for young people in the UK.
Phone them on 07557 349 005 or
Other local services
Somerset Big Tent
Somerset Big Tent is a partnership of Charities, Charitable Incorporated Organisations and Community Interest Companies. These are VCSE (voluntary, community and social enterprise) organisations that provide a range of services including positive activities, therapeutic services and specialist support to increase positive wellbeing and improve mental health within children and young people aged 8-18 in Somerset.
Purple Elephant – Befriending service
Befriending service for children aged 5 – 12yrs, which matches volunteers with vulnerable children for weekly chat and activity sessions; 5-12 year olds
Call Sarah Banks on 07960 565939
RELATE
Relationship counselling and family difficulties. Call 0300 0031781
Early Help
Early help is all about providing that help to families who, for whatever reason, find that they’re struggling. It applies to the period from before a baby is born right up to age 25, and that help could be related to any aspect of life.
Somerset Young Carers
Advice, support and respite for young carers.
The Zone – young Carers
The Zone Young Carers group meet in term time on a Wednesday evening from 6-8pm once a fortnight.
The Pod Youth Club
Youth club for young people with additional needs. Trips out. Have fun. Make friends in a safe and supportive environment.
Call Rebecca on 07582 559591
AutismLinks
Information advice and guidance.
Frome Autistic Support team
Support group aimed at parents of children with autism (with or without a formal diagnosis)
Call Sarah on 07977 913339 or Email
SEND Information, Advice and Support Network
Call 01823 359 732.
Open Story Tellers
Open Story Tellers is a community arts charity supporting people with learning disabilities and autism. Call 01373 454099 to find out more.
2BU
LGBT social and support group for under 25s. Call 07799 136 552.
Educational Psychology Service (EPS) Help for parents & carers
If you are a parent/carer of a child in Somerset or North Somerset and would like to speak to a Psychologist with any concerns arising for you, or your family then The Educational Psychology Service is here for you. They are able to offer an initial 30 minute telephone consultation (discussion) and a potential follow up call, of another 30 minutes if appropriate.
If you would like to access this service, please email epshelpline@somerset.gov.uk with the following information: your name; the name of your child’s school (or ‘EHE’ if Electively Home Educated); times and dates that you are not available for consultation.
If email is not possible, call 01823 357000.
Youth Matters
For young people aged up to 25 who are living with mental health distress in Mendip, providing a central venue where young people can have one to one targeted mental health support in a warm, safe environment. Appointments only – young people can be refereed by their GP or can self-refer – telephone 01935 474875, email or online via the self-referral form.
You-th Space
Short term counselling in Frome for young people aged 15-18 years old. Phone 01373 453355, text 07340 762311 or email to make an appointment.
We Hear You
We Hear You provides emotional support to people touched by cancer or other life threatening illness, including children and young people. Referrals to the service at Frome College or at Selwood Academy are made by staff at the schools.
We Hear You has also launched a Covid-19 crisis support service offering over the phone support to help you cope with the emotional impact of Covid-19.
Call 01373 455255 or email info@wehearyou.org.uk to arrange a telephone appointment.
Elim Connect Counselling
Short, medium and long term counselling which is accessible and affordable to all, offering help and support to adults and young people experiencing a range of personal problems, such as depression, anxiety, relationship issues, low self-esteem, bereavement and loss, abuse, self-harm and addiction.
Shelf Help (available at Frome Library)
Shelf Help is a collection of self-help books that young people can access on a range of issues, including anxiety, worry, panic, self-esteem and self-harm. GPs and mental health workers can give a ‘prescription’ for these books, as well as or instead of a prescription for medication. You can take your prescription to any Somerset library, and ask a member of staff to find the book for you. Books are available in most libraries in or near the Young Adults section and may be borrowed by any library members in the same way as any other book. You do not need a prescription.
National Support Services
Young Minds
National source of support and information on mental health for young people.
Samaritans
The Samaritans offer a safe place for people to talk at any time they like, in whatever way suits them best and about whatever is getting to them.
It’s free to call them on 116 123 or you can talk to them online:
Childline
You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.
Phone 0800 1111 or visit
FRANK
Advice and Support for Drugs.
NSPCC – Abuse prevention
Call 8001111 or visit
Papyrus
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people – male and female – under 35 in the UK. Papyrus is the national charity for the prevention of young suicide, delivering awareness and prevention training, provide confidential support and suicide intervention through HOPELineUK, campaign and influence national policy, and empower young people to lead suicide prevention activities in their own communities.
Call 0800 068 41 41
Winston’s Wish
More than 100 children are bereaved of a parent every day in the UK. Winston’s Wish provides professional therapeutic support to support such bereavement in a range of circumstances, including individual, group and residential settings. Help is available in schools, in person, online and over the phone. Winston’s Wish also offer specialist support programmes for children affected by deaths related to murder, manslaughter, suicide or the military community.
Call 8088020021
Shout
24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
Anorexia and Bulimia Care
Care, support and guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders.
Self Injury Support
Info and support for girls who self harm. Call 0808 8008088.
Love Respect
Info and support on healthy relationships.
The Calm Zone
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is dedicated to preventing male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. Support is available for individuals, those worried about someone they know who may be suicidal and those needing support after suicide, on the phone and using webchat.
Helpline:0800 58 58 58 5pm- midnight 365 days a year.
Rehab 4 Addiction
Rehab 4 Addiction offers advice to those seeking recovery from addiction. Their admissions team offers a referral service for people seeking treatment for alcoholism, drug addiction, behavioural addiction, and eating disorders.
Call 0800 140 4690.
The Mix
Free information and support for under 25s in the UK. Get advice about sex, relationships, drugs, mental health, money & jobs.
Support available online or via free, confidential helpline on 0808 808 4994.
Rethink
Rethink work nationally to provide expert advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems, on everything from treatment and care, to benefits and employment rights.
Advice and information service – freephone 0808 801 0525 9.30am – 4pm Monday – Friday
Psychological First Aid Training
Get Psychological First Aid training to support children and young people’s mental health during emergencies and crisis situations. This course is available for all frontline workers such as teachers, health and social care workers, charity and community volunteers and anyone who cares for or is regularly in contact with children and young people aged up to 25, including parents and caregivers.
It is free, takes about three hours to complete (split into three sessions that the learner can complete at their own pace) and no previous qualifications are required.
