Useful links
There is a wealth of information and advice about physical and mental health and wellbeing, and the different challenges we may face in our everyday lives. Some organisations provide information, resources or self help suggestions, others offer support through a dedicated phone line, email, messaging or one-to-one counselling.
Support for Children and Young People
Devon Public Health Nursing ChatHealth has been set up for young people aged 11-19. It is a free, confidential text service that provides you with support from local school nurses for concerns about bullying, self-harm, smoking, or anything else you are worried about.
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People
Young Minds is a great place to find advice and support on your feelings and how to look after your own wellbeing. They aim to support and empower young people through mental health challenges and they can provide urgent help via a text messaging service.
Young minds parent helpline – 0808 802 5544
If you need urgent help text YM to 85258
Kooth provides free, safe and anonymous online counselling for young people (available until 10pm every day).
Support, advice and information on young people's mental health, from preschool to young adults, all in one place. Signposting and resources for Parents, Young People and Professionals.
The Mix is one of the UK’s leading support services for young people. They provide information, resources and support to help young people take on any challenge they are facing. Talk to The Mix via their online community, on social, through the free, confidential helpline or counselling service.
https://www.bouncebrighterfutures.co.uk/crisis-contacts-and-mental-health-resources/
BOUNCE! offers a number of services that can be tailored to meet the needs of the child, family and school. Their team of experienced and highly skilled therapists offer a range of interventions. Their website includes a list of crisis contacts and helpful resources.
https://www.youngdevon.org/what-we-do
Young Devon provides a service which is offered in centres where young people can meet privately with counsellors.
https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/young-people/
Mermaids supports transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.
Esteem Team work with children and young people who have additional needs and/or struggle with their mental health. Esteem Team also support Parent/Carers of children and young people with additional needs and/or who struggle with their mental health.
Y-Smart work with young people who experiment with drugs and alcohol. They provide support and advice for young people, parents, families and professionals and also deliver multi-agency training across the county. They also provide support for young people whose lives have been impacted by parental, carer or sibling substance use.
https://www.waveproject.co.uk/project-locations/devon/
The Wave Project works with young people who are referred from across the whole of Devon by running sessions on both the North and South coast. Their approach is to intervene early, treat young people with respect and focus on a learning activity that they can relate to – surfing. They’re passionate about improving the lives of our local youth, seeing smiles and improving their mental and physical well-being through surfing.
Support for Carers and Young Carers
About Us - Caring as a Young Carer | Carers Trust
Carers Trust helps young carers to cope with their caring role through specialised services delivered by its network of local carer organisations across the UK.
Devon Young Carers work with young people aged 4 to 18 who help look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs and alcohol. They work to make sure that young carers are supported through their service and others, which can include specialist advice, access to respite opportunities and 1:1 support as identified in an assessment.
Support for Parents and Carers
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
We all have mental health, and life is full of ups and downs for us all. Here you will find expert advice, practical tips, and plenty of help and support if you're stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep. Answer 5 simple questions to get your personalised mental health action plan, with tips and advice to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/
Children and Family Health Devon have produced this information sheet about services available locally and nationally, which offer mental health support for children and young people and their families.
https://www.parentalminds.org.uk/
Parental Minds gives support to families who are struggling with their mental health. We believe that the parental voice is vital when families are living with mental health issues; this under pins all our work. We help parents and caregivers tackle a range of mental health struggles, including self-harm, anxiety, and school refusal.
https://www.talkworks.dpt.nhs/
TALKWORKS try to help as many people as possible who are struggling with a common mental health problem. They are an NHS Talking Therapies service, and they offer psychological therapy to adults (age 18+) across Devon (outside Plymouth).
The TALKWORKS website includes helpful resources and information about mental health and wellbeing, as well as links to other services:
Learn about Mental Health | TALKWORKS (dpt.nhs.uk)
Mental Health Resources | TALKWORKS (dpt.nhs.uk)
MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together.
The Zero Suicide Alliance (ZSA) aims to empower, educate, and equip individuals and organisations to support suicide awareness and prevention. They are UK based and hosted by Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust and funded via Mersey Cares NHS Charity. They offer free online suicide awareness and prevention training and resources.