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Child and adolescent mental health
Helplines for professionals
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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Teachers and other professionals 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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Beat can also be contacted by email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
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08000 562 561
24/7 365 days/year.
Education Support exists to help support and prevent problems experienced by teaching staff, both personal and professional such as workload, stress, student behavioural problems, work life balance. Their counsellors have a very great deal of experience in education and mental health issues and can advise on how to help and support a student with mental health issues. The helpline is free and available to all teachers, lecturers and staff in education (primary, secondary, further or higher education) in England, Wales and Scotland.
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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As well as supporting supports transgender young people and their families, their helpline helps professionals working with them, with information about gender-diversity, information about current legislation and protections under the law, plus signposting to training and resources.
If you're worried about a child, even if you're unsure, you can speak to the NSPCC about your concerns. Whether you want to report child abuse and neglect or aren't sure what to do, they are there to listen, offer advice and support and can take the next steps if a child's in danger. You can also contact them online 24/7/365. One of their advisors will read it within 24 hours and decide what action needs to be taken. If a child's life is in danger, call 999.
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Their vision is for a society which speaks openly about suicide and has the resources to help young people who may have suicidal thoughts.
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PAPYRUS operates HOPELINEUK, a suicide prevention helpline staffed by professionals trained in ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training). HOPELINEUK advisers want to work with young people to understand why these thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide young people with a safe space to talk through anything happening in their life that could be impacting on their ability to stay safe. The helpline is available for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide.
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.
Covid-19
Boloh, Barnardo’s helpline for Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic children (11+), young people, parents or carer,s affected by Covid-19. If you’re a professional, you can also contact us to discuss how to support a child or young person they are working with.
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Boloh are here to help you if someone you support has experienced bereavement, ill health, feeling down or anxious about the lockdown, feeling isolated, worried about friends or family, concerned about your finances, unemployment, experienced bullying or racism, issues with homelessness or eviction, worried about returning to school/university or any other issue.
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Alternatively, you can contact them via webchat.