Keeping Yourself Safe - For Children and Young People
If you need urgent help for a medical problem, call 999 or visit A&E.
If you need urgent help for your mental health, please contact one of the below services. If you need immediate help or your life is at immediate risk, call 999 or visit A&E, and tell your parent, caregiver, or trusted adult.
Childline – open 24/7
If you are under 19, you can call, chat online, or email about any issue. Call them on 0800 1111.
You can sign up for a free Childline ‘Locker’ to use their free one-to-one counsellor chat, as well as email support. Sign up and find more information here: Childline
Childline can also provide a BSL interpreter if you are d/Deaf or hard of hearing.
SHOUT – open 24/7
Shout provide a free, 24/7 text support service. Just text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258 to message with a trained Shout volunteer.
Find out more: Shout
Papyrus
Papyrus is a suicide prevention charity for young people. You can call their Hopeline on 0800 068 41 41, text them on 88247, or email them on pat@papyrus-uk.org to speak to one of their trained advisers.
If you prefer to speak to someone in a language other than English, Papyrus work with Language Line to provide translation services in over 240 languages. Just state your preferred language when you call.
Find out more: Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide
I Need Support
It can be scary to struggle with overwhelming thoughts and feelings, and sometimes these thoughts can even be about hurting yourself or not wanting to be here. When you are experiencing these thoughts, it can be difficult to think about things that help you feel better, so it can be useful to have a list of things that make you feel safe.
If you are worried about how you are feeling, talk to an adult that you trust. This could be a family member or a teacher at school. They can then contact your GP and get you any help you may need.
What things have I done in the past that have helped? Try to think back to time that you have experienced painful thoughts and feelings, if you feel comfortable to do so. When you are struggling, it can hard to think of these things, so it can be good to write them down.
Things I can do when I am dealing with difficult feelings:
- Watch a film or TV programme that makes me laugh
- Wrap ice in a towel and hold in my hand for as long as I can
- Get in touch with a friend or someone who cares about me
- Tear up an old newspaper
- Splash face with cold water
- Take a nice bubble bath
- Relaxation breathing– breathe in for 4 seconds & out for 5–8 seconds, for 1–2 minutes
- Be creative – try drawing, writing, playing music
- Play with a pet or sibling
- Go for a walk with a family member
- Throw a cushion against a wall or my bed
Who can I Speak to?
- A trusted family member
- An adult in school (e.g. a teacher, school nurse, counsellor)
- A trusted friend
- Childline (call on 0800 1111 – 24/7)
- Papyrus (call on 0800 068 41 41, text on 88247 – 24/7)
- Meic (call or WhatsApp on 0808 80 23456 – 8am to midnight every day). More information here: Meiccymru
Have a look at our page on Coping with Difficult Thoughts and Feelings for more information and resources.