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Child and adolescent mental health
Helplines for parents and carers
Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity. They exist to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders. We are a champion, guide and friend to anyone affected, giving individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their loved ones a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered.
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Parents and carers concerned about a child or young person can call the adult helpline for support and information. Calls are free from landlines and mobile phones.
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They can also contact Beat by email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
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Children 1st help Scotland’s families to put children first, with practical advice and with support in difficult times. And when the worst happens, we support survivors of abuse, neglect, and other traumatic events in childhood, to recover.
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Their Parentline exists so that whatever it is that affects your family, you can talk it over with a trained advisor who will listen and give you the time and space to talk things through.
Family Lives is a national family support charity for England and Wales providing help and support in all aspects of family life. Through their helpline they will listen and give you the space to talk, helping you to explore your situation and identify the way forward. They allow you to direct the conversation to wherever you want to go. They may ask you some questions to help them fully understand your situation and explore your feelings, and help you talk through options or consider specific organisations, which may be able to help you. Their aim is to provide you with as much helpful information and support and encouragement as they can so that you, as the expert on your own life, are in a good position to make whatever choices are best for you. You will be listened to with empathy, care and respect. NB they cannot offer legal or medical advice.
9am-9pm weekdays
Mermaids support gender-diverse children and young people until their 20th birthday, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care. They aim to reduce isolation and loneliness for gender-variant and transgender children, young people and their families; provides families and young people with the tools they need to negotiate education and health services; helps young people to cope better with mental and emotional distress, and equip their parents with what they need to offer individual support; improve the self-esteem and social skills of children and young people; and improves awareness, understanding and practices of teachers, GP’s, CAMHS, Social Services and other professionals.
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Mermaids provides a helpline aimed at supporting the families of transgender youth up to and including the age of 19, as well as the young people themselves, and professionals. They can give you emotional support, a gateway to parent forums, and information about current legislation and protections under the law.
No Panic is a registered charity which helps people , including young people, who suffer from panic attacks, phobias, OCD, and other related anxiety disorders. They also provide support for the carers of people who suffer from anxiety disorders. They have a dedicated Youth Helpline for young people between 13 and 20 and their parents and carers who are experiencing problems with anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder and the specific anxieties that young people of this age can experience. disorders. Their aim is to give young people all of the necessary advice, tools and support that they need to recover and carry out this journey.
7.30pm - 9pm Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday
Self Injury Support run a UK-wide multi-channel support service for women and girls affected by self-injury, trauma and abuse. They develop up-to-date, reliable and free information and self help tools for anyone to use.
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Their helpline offers free, confidential, non-judgemental emotional support around self-injury. They can provide information and support to the parents and carers of children and young people who self-harm.
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Alternatively, you can text them on 07537 432444 during the same opening hours. All messages will be replied to. They aim to text back within half an hour during opening times.
Winston’s Wish was the UK’s first childhood bereavement charity. They have been supporting bereaved children since 1992 and they continue to lead the way in providing specialist child bereavement support services across the UK.
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If a young person you know is finding it hard to cope with their grief, and you want to help them, then give us a call. From parents to teachers, everyone and anyone who is supporting a grieving child can call their helpline.
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for a future where all children and young people are supported and empowered and to make sure they get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.
Their Parents Helpline is available to offer advice to parents and carers worried about a child or young person under 25. You may have questions about a child’s behaviour, emotional wellbeing, or mental health condition. You may have a child who’s already been admitted to CAMHS and have questions about their treatment or want to know what to say to your GP when you visit them. Their trained advisers are here to give you help and advice, whatever the question.
Covid-19
Boloh, Barnardo’s helpline for Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic children (11+), young people, parents or carer,s affected by Covid-19.
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Boloh are here to help you if you have experienced bereavement, ill health, feeling down or anxious about the lockdown, feeling isolated, worried about friends or family, concerned about your finances, unemployment, you or your child has experienced bullying or racism, issues with homelessness or eviction, worried about your child returning to school/university or any other issue. Their team of specialist psychotherapists can provide you with ongoing support during this difficult time.
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Alternatively, you can contact them via webchat.