Self Help Resources & Mental Health Support
If a referral made through this website meets the qualifying criteria then the Children and Young People Mental Health Triage and Navigation service will then refer that to a secondary service for review. Some of these self help resources accept requests for help directly, which you can do yourself if you like.
Meanwhile, you and or your parent or carer may find some of the Leicestershire recommended services helpful. There are several, such as the Early Intervention Service, Heads Up Leicester and Tellmi, who can can help with several conditions together. Look out for their names below so you understand what they can offer.
Anger
ChildLine
A private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. Contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Children and Family Wellbeing Service Triage Team
Children and Family Wellbeing Service can provide early help services to a child, young person or family where they are experiencing difficulties that cannot be supported by universal services, such as schools or GPs alone.
Support can be given to those who experience domestic abuse or struggle with their mental health and wellbeing, or need extra help with SEND, parenting or supporting targeted young people, including those at risk of crime.
Call the Children and Family Wellbeing Service Triage Team on 0116 305 8727 for further details or follow the link:
Children and Family Wellbeing Service | Leicestershire County Council
FREEVA- Young Peoples Project
The Young Peoples Project (ages 10-18) provides an impartial, non-judgmental environment for you to talk about how you feel. We can talk you through harmful behaviours, healthy relationships, managing emotions, resolving conflict and more.
www.freeva.org.uk/the-young-person-project/
Telephone: 0116 254 0101
Headspace
A guide to health and happiness. It is a personal meditation guide available on a website, that teaches how to learn to meditate and live mindfully.
The Mix Counselling Service
Free confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile. Can help with issues from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Text THEMIX to 85258 and 24/7 chat via MixBot
The Solihull Approach
A team of professionals within the NHS. They are a ‘not for profit’ organisation. The Solihull Approach is all about emotional health and well-being. They provide online courses and face to face groups for parents.
Website: www.inourplace.co.uk/
Telephone: 0121 296 4448 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.
Anxiety and Depression
Mood Juice
Helps you think about emotional problems and work towards solving them.
ChildLine
A private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. Contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.
Tel: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
GetSelfHelp
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) self-help and therapy resources, including worksheets, information sheets and self-help mp3s and videos. CBT has been proven to help mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, anger and low self-esteem.
Young Minds
Young Minds supports and keeps young minds empowered with whatever challenges they are facing. Offer different types of courses to look after your young minds. Information for parents, on how they could support their child during different situations.
Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544
www.youngminds.org.uk
Heads Up Leicester
Heads Up Leicester is registered charity who supports parents/carers and young people over 8 mental health (anxiety, worry, low mood and depression) and ADHD. Programmes vary throughout the year with full details on the website.
Tel: 0116 223 4254
www.headsupleicester.org.uk
Tellmi
Tellmi is an NHS commissioned, digital mental health service offering a safe, moderated online space for anyone aged 11+ to talk about anything that’s worrying them. The community is age-banded to facilitate age-appropriate discussions with an in-house counselling team on hand for anything more complex, or if someone needs more immediate support. Free access to Tellmi’s text-based Therapy is also available via the app.
Anonymous digital peer support for Children and Young People
NHS Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Talking Therapies (formerly VitaMinds):
Commissioned by the NHS for people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, a free and confidential talking therapy service to help get things back on track and aim to help improve the mental wellbeing of people suffering from: worry, low mood, depression, anxiety, OCD, traumatic event or a lack of motivation.
Self Refer via www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/make-a-referral/self-referral/nhs-mental-health-self-referral
Or call on 0330 094 5595
WeHeartCBT
WeHeartCBT is a collection of resources aimed at helping children and young people who are struggling with symptoms of anxiety and/or low mood. Resources are based on a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach and are for mental health professionals, schools and parents/families.
Chat Health
Chat Health is a confidential text messaging service that enables children and young people (aged 11-19) to contact their local public health nursing (school nursing) team.
Leicester City residents only text: 07520 615 386
Leicestershire & Rutland residents text: 07520 615 387
Response time: Within 24 hours, 9am to 5pm Mon to Fri (except bank holidays)
Accessed via www.healthforteens.co.uk/health/about-chathealth
Mind
Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem
Tel: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 6pm except bank holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk
Safeline Young People (SLYP)
SLYP offers information, advice and support about anything happening in your life including bullying, self-esteem, mental health, social media, relationships and drugs and alcohol.
Helpline: 01926 402498
Text: 07860 027 573
Information for Children & Young People – Safeline
The Mix Counselling Service
Free confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile. Can help with issues from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Text THEMIX to 85258 and 24/7 chat via MixBot
Autism & ADHD
Autism East Midlands
Support and information for families and individuals with autism spectrum disorder as well as play, leisure and activities for children and young people.
Tel: 01909 506 678
https://www.autismeastmidlands.org.uk
Autism Space
This is a place to find advice, information and support around all things relating to autism including education and employment, health and lifestyle, benefits and diagnosis, life beyond diagnosis and autism support groups. Visit the site using the link below.
More Autism space pages:
Autistic differences and difficulties
Autism Assessments for Young People Aged 12-18
Autism Assessments for Children, Aged 2-12
Chat Autism
Chat Autism offers support for autistic people and their parents/ carers/ families or allies living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
The service is available 9am to 5pm every weekday and is totally confidential.
Text 07312 277097 or start a chat here
Heads Up Leicester
Heads Up Leicester is registered charity, commissioned by Leicestershire County Council to provide support to families and young people (aged 19 and under) at any stage of their ADHD journey. Support for parents/carers consists of two-part workshops, monthly peer support groups in six locations across the County and workshops for young people who have had an ADHD diagnosis (Year 5 and above). You can book your place via the website. You must be a resident of Leicestershire County to be eligible for this support.
Tel: 0116 223 4254
www.headsupleicester.org.uk/adhd
Resources for Autism
Provide practical services for children and adults with a diagnosis of autism and for those who love and care for them. Services include: home support, play and youth groups, individual care packages, parent and sibling groups, behavioural support, music and art therapy and adult groups
Tel: 0208 458 3259
https://resourcesforautism.org.uk
Leicestershire Autistic Society
The Leicestershire Autistic Society (formed over 20 years ago) provides support, information and advice to families and professionals dealing with Autism in Leicestershire, Leicester City and Rutland. You can find useful information on their Facebook page.
Helpline: 0116 291 6958
Email: leicestershireautisticsociety@gmail.com
Leicestershire Autistic Society | Facebook
Behavioural Difficulties
Family Action
Transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those experiencing difficulties.
Tel: 0808 802 6666
Email: familyline@family-action.org.uk
https://www.family-action.org.uk
The Bridge/talk2sort
Supports young people and their families to reduce the likelihood of homelessness by resolving conflict. Mediation can be a difficult process but it can improve home life and relationships.
Tel: 01509 260500 Freephone: 0800 038 5964 WhatsApp 07521 386794
www.thebridge-eastmidlands.org.uk/services/talk2sort
Bereavement
The Laura Centre
A professional bereavement service that believes in providing a safe, friendly and inclusive environment for all the family but also on an individual basis.
Advice point: 0116 254 4341
Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK have joined together.
Winston’s Wish and Child Bereavement UK have joined together.
Provides emotional and practical bereavement support to children, young people and carers. Offer one-off and on-going bereavement support, online resources, specialist publications and training for professionals.
Helpline: 0800 0288840
Web chat
Email: ask@childbereavementuk.org
https://www.childbereavementuk.org
Bipolar Affective Disorder
BipolarUK
Provides a range of services to help individuals affected by bipolar, including; peer support line, support groups, eCommunity, employment support and crisis support.
Email: info@bipolaruk.org
Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD)
Body Dysmorphic Foundation
Provide information, resources and online support groups to individuals affected by BDD, their families, friends, partners and carers.
Eating Disorder
First Steps ED
The Midlands eating disorder charity that provides individual and group therapy services, guided self-help groups for all ages, genders and backgrounds from 5 years plus, supporting children, young people and adults including parents/carers through face to face and online video clinics which can also be accessed in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland schools (with support from the school), and is commissioned locally.
Helpline: 0300 102 1685 (freephone)
Email: info@firststepsed.co.uk
https://www.firststepsed.co.uk
Beat Eating Disorders
The UK’s eating disorder charity that provides helplines, online support and a network of UK-wide self-help groups to help adults and young people in the UK beat their eating disorders.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677 Mon-Fri 3pm to 8pm
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Web chat: Mon-Fri 3pm to 8pm
Gender Identity
The LGBT Centre Leicester
Information on subjects that affect LGBT people’s lives including signposting and referrals to other agencies.
Tel: 0116 254 7412
Email: info@leicestershirelgbtqcentre.org
Gendered Intelligence
Works with the trans community and those who impact on trans lives; particularly specialise in supporting young trans people under the age of 21.
Tel: 0800 640 8046
Email: supportline@genderedintelligence.co.uk
WhatsApp: 07592 650496
Hearing Voices
Inter Voice
Provides articles and resources relating to coping with, living with and recovering from distressing voices.
http://www.intervoiceonline.org/
Mind
Advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Tel: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm except bank holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Samaritans
There around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for support with whatever you are going through.
Tel: 116 123 (free from any phone)
Childline
A free, private and confidential service for anyone under the age of 19 in the UK with any big or small issue via telephone helpline, email support or 1-2-1 counsellor chat.
Tel: 0800 1111 (9am-Midnight)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), Panic & Phobia
OCD UK
Offers online information for individuals living with OCD.
OCD Action
Advice and support around treatment for individuals affect by OCD via their helpline, website, email, online groups, forums, and local groups.
Email: support@ocdaction.org.uk
School Avoidance
Not Fine In School
A support group of families, family and friends of children who experience difficulties attending school. It is a place where you will find information, action such as raising awareness and where research is reported.
www.facebook.com/notfineinschoolpublicpage
Self Esteem
Safeline Young People (SLYP)
Information, advice and support for issues such as bullying, self-esteem, mental health, social media, relationships, drugs and alcohol.
Helpline: 01926 402 498
Text: 07860 027 573
Information for Children & Young People – Safeline
GetSelfHelp
Offers Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) self-help and therapy resources, including worksheets and information sheets and self-help mp3s and videos. CBT helps mental health problems such as anxiety, low mood, anger and low self-esteem.
www.Getselfhelp.co.uk
Health for Teens
Offers a choice of content and quizzes across all areas of your health, from sexual health to your feelings, growing up, lifestyle and more.
https://healthforteens.co.uk/leicestercity
Self-harm & Suicidal Feelings
Harmless
Commissioned locally and provides support and information about self-harm to individuals who self-harm, their friends and families. Promotes health and recovery, reducing isolation and distress, and increasing awareness and skill in intervention.
Tel: 0116 309 0171
CalmHarm
An app to help distract a young person from self-harming. They call it “riding the wave.” When the young person has an urge to self-harm or urges to self-harm they can go onto the app and choose to ride the wave. It allows you to select an activity type such as: comfort, distract, express, release or random. You can select which one you’re feeling and set an amount of time that you’re going to do the activity for. There is a long list of activities to choose from.
Childline
A free, private and confidential service for anyone under the age of 19 in the UK with any big or small issue. Offers a telephone helpline, email support or 1-2-1 counsellor chat.
Tel: 0800 1111 (9am-Midnight)
Mind
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Tel: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 6pm except bank holidays)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
BlueIce
An NHS approved app that helps young people manage emotions and reduce urges to self-harm. It includes a mood diary, toolbox of techniques to reduce distress and automatic routing to emergency numbers if urges to harm continue.
https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/blueice/
Shout
The UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. A place to go if you’re struggling to cope and need immediate help
Text ‘shout’ to 85258
Samaritans
Support around the clock, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for support with whatever you are going through.
Tel: 116 123 (free from any phone)
Sleeping Difficulties
The Children Sleep Charity
Supports parents by offering workshops, clinics and written material for children with sleeping issues.
Headspace for kids
Learn to meditate and live mindfully with hundreds of themed sessions on everything from stress to sleep. Bite-sized meditations for busy schedules and SOS exercises in case of sudden meltdowns. Free trial then monthly or yearly subscription.
Substance Misuse
Turning Point Leicester Young People’s Drug & Alcohol service
For anyone under 25 years, providing 1:1 support and will meet you where you want. Help you find new ways to cope and gain control and provide a support plan in things to help you in your life, not just with drug or alcohol use.
Tel 0330 303 6000
https://www.turning-point.co.uk/services/leicester/young-people
Trauma, domestic violence and PTSD
Victim Support
Victim Support offer free and confidential support people affected by crime and traumatic events – regardless of who reported the crime to the police.
Tel: 0808 16 89 111 (24/7 365 days a year)
https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/Supportline
Victim First
A team of experienced & professional caseworkers to support victims of crime in their journey of recovery
Tel: 0800 953 9595
Living without Abuse
A domestic and sexual abuse charity based in Loughborough providing support to men, women and children affected by domestic abuse and/or sexual violence across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
https://lwa.org.uk/contact-lwa/
Help Line: 0808 802 0028
Facebook / X / Instagram: @lwacharity
WE:ARE (Women’s Empowerment And Recovery Educators)
WE:ARE deliver a range of awareness and empowerment programmes for women and children affected by domestic abuse
Tel: 07868163103
First Step
An organisation in Leicestershire supporting male survivors over the age of 13 and their loved ones, who have survived sexual abuse and rape.
Tel: 0116 254 8535
https://firststepleicester.org.uk/
Respect Phoneline
A confidential helpline, email and webchat service giving help for perpetrators of domestic abuse, their victims and friends and family.
Telephone support: 0808 8024040 (Mon-Thurs 10am-5pm)
Webchat (Mon-Fri 9am to 10am)
NSPCC
The leading children’s charity in the UK, specialising in child protection and dedicated to protecting children today to prevent abuse tomorrow. The only UK children’s charity with statutory powers, which means we can take action to safeguard children at risk of abuse
Helpline: 0808 800 5000
The Mix Counselling Service
Free confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile. Can help with issues from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
Text THEMIX to 85258 and 24/7 chat via MixBot
Family Action’s Children & Families Services
Provides practical, emotional and financial support to those experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation. Support adult family members via telephone, text, email and web chat Mon-Fri 9am-5pm:
National Hotline: 0808 802 6666
Text: 07537 404 282
Web Chat
Email familyline@family-action.org.uk
Other Useful Links
The Early Intervention Service (EIS)
The Relationship Centre Leicestershire (formerly Relate Leicestershire), in partnership with Heads Up Leicester, is commissioned by the Integrated Care Board (ICB) to provide an Early Intervention Service, providing emotional wellbeing and therapeutic support for children and young people between the age of 5-18 years old, and their parents/ carers, living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland with low to moderate mental health needs.
This service offers a range of support, including counselling and groupwork for children, young people and parents/ carers dependent on need.
The Early Intervention Service
Teen Health Service – Leicestershire and Rutland
If you are aged between 11-19 (or up to 25 years for those with SEND) and live in Leicestershire or Rutland, the Teen Health Service can help with:
Support to improve mental health and emotional wellbeing, with a focus on self esteem, body image and building resilience.
Support for healthy relationships, building positive relationships, reducing violence in intimate relationships and promoting positive sexual health and wellbeing.
Support for children and young people to make healthier choices, with a focus on reducing substance misuse (particularly cannabis use) and alcohol consumption.
The Teen Health Service has a team of Health and Wellbeing Officers that work in the community and in secondary schools, working alongside pastoral and health and wellbeing leads.
Leicestershire – https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools-colleges-and-academies/teen-health-11-19
Rutland – https://www.rutland.gov.uk/children-young-people-families/services-young-people/teen-health-service
Two short courses
The following link will take you to a list of short courses, two of which have been specially designed for teenagers and made available for people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland: “5. Understanding your brain (for teenagers only!)” and “6. Understanding your feelings (for teenagers only!)”
Health for Teens
Offers a choice of content and quizzes across all areas of your health, from sexual health to your feelings, growing up, lifestyle and more.
https://www.healthforteens.co.uk/
Health for Kids
A fun, engaging and interactive way for children to learn about health. Find games, top tips and advice on all aspects of children’s emotional and physical health.
https://www.healthforkids.co.uk/
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust Self Help Resources
Here you can find a range of support for your mental health and overall wellbeing. There’s information for parents, carers and professionals on the support that’s available for young people across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
https://www.leicspart.nhs.uk/mental-health/resources/conditions/young-people/
Hey, how are you feeling? … Poster to download
Download a useful poster via this link that will quickly signpost a young person to the correct service.
Leicestershire County Council – Children and Family Wellbeing Service
Children and Family Wellbeing Service can provide early help services to a child, young person or family where they are experiencing difficulties that cannot be supported by universal services, such as schools or GPs alone.
Support can be given to those who experience domestic abuse or struggle with their mental health and wellbeing, or need extra help with SEND, parenting or supporting targeted young people, including those at risk of crime.
Call the Children and Family Wellbeing Service Triage Team on 0116 305 8727 for further details or visit the link for more information:
Children and Family Wellbeing Service | Leicestershire County Council
The Joy App
Joy is a helps you to find social activities, groups and support offers near you. For services specific to children and young people, enter the keyword ‘children’ into the search bar. There are also services to families and carers. You will need to set your location to your local area to find the ones near you.