Mental Health Support Signposting

Off the record is an organisation based in Bristol that helps young people with their mental health. Sections on their site include:

Anxiety
Resources for Anxiety include an explanation of what anxiety is and how it may affect you. It then directs you to yoga videos, self-help workshops about how to reduce and mange anxiety, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your anxiety, counselling and several other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples).
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/anxiety/

Low moods and depression
Resources for low moods and depression include an explanation of what depression/low moods are and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your sadness, counselling and several other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples).  
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/depression/

Self-harm
Resources for coping with self-harming include an explanation of what harmful moods are and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your urge to self-harm, counselling, a number of other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples), corner man – a 12-week group combining boxing and chatting and
hARMED – a workshop for anyone using self-harm as a coping strategy.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/self-harm/

Obsessive and compulsive feelings
Resources for coping with obsessive and compulsive feelings include an explanation of what obsessive and compulsive moods are and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, nature works – a project to get you outside to reduce your obsessive and compulsive feelings, counselling, several other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples) and
hARMED – a workshop for anyone using self-harm as a coping strategy.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/obsessions-compulsions/

Body image and low self esteem
Resources for struggling with Body image include an explanation of struggling with body image is and how it may affect you. It then directs you to self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood, Shameless – a six-week group for anyone who feels they’re impacted by body image and low self-esteem and counselling, several other workshops and therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples)
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/body-image/

Sexuality and gender
Resources for struggling with sexuality and gender include an explanation of what being queer means and what being trans means. It then directs you to Shameless – a six-week group for anyone who feels they’re impacted by body image and low self-esteem, counselling, several other workshops, therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples) and freedom – a gender and sexuality youth group with 1 on 1 support.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/sexuality-gender/

Family and relationships
Resources for struggling with Family and relationships include an explanation of what relationships should be and when to get help. It then directs you to counselling, several other workshops, therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples), freedom – a gender and sexuality youth group with 1 on 1 support, self-help workshops about how to reduce and manage your mood and a book club.
https://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/family-and-relationships/

Cultural identity
Resources for struggling with cultural identity include an explanation of what relationships should be and when to get help. It then directs you to counselling, a number of other workshops, therapies (art and drama therapies being some examples), Shameless – a six-week group for anyone who feels they’re impacted by body image and low self-esteem and counselling, project ZAZI – a variety of groups and one to one support on mental health, race, ethnicity and culture and corner man – a 12 week group combining boxing and chatting.
ttps://www.otrbristol.org.uk/whats-going-on-for-you/ethnicity-culture/

Bullying
I am being bullied – what can I do?

Tell someone that you can trust. Make sure you share your worries with a parent, friend, your tutor, teacher or relative. The best way to protect yourself from being bullied is to tell someone so that you can get some help.

Childline have message boards for a variation of things that you may be experiencing bullying for, including discrimination. They also offer places for you to help rebuild your self-esteem.

Message boards: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/types-
bullying/

Scroll to the bottom to find some or search ChildLine if there’s any resources you can’t find.

Games: https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/games/

If you need to talk to someone, the counsellors at ChildLine are there to talk. These run from 9am to 10:30 pm. There may be a wait. If you need to talk immediately calling 0800 1111 is faster. The link to 1-2-1 counselling is below.
https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/

For further support contact a trusted teacher or the student ambassadors. 

Home environment concerns
Domestic Abuse Concerns - 
Next Link South Glos domestic abuse telephone help lines are open 8:30am – 5:30pm Monday to Friday and 9:30am – 1:00pm on Saturday 0800 4700 280 

Parents worried about exploitation – https://paceuk.info/or for confidential help and advice, call Pace on 0113 240 5226

CHILDLINE – 0800 1111 or visit their website www.childline.org.uk

Food banks links for families living in South Glos - https://oneyou.southglos.gov.uk/eat-well/food-poverty-support/
Food banks links for families living in Bristol - https://www.trusselltrust.org/,  https://eastbristol.foodbank.org.uk/

National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) – 0808 800 5000 
 https://www.nspcc.org.uk/

Injuries, accidents and mental health related accidents
If you feel that a child is in immediate danger then you must call the police on 999.

Access and Response Team – 01454 86 6000 (during working hours)

Emergency duty team – 01454 615165 (out of hours)

First Response (for students and families living in Bristol) -0117 9036444

Police – 101 for non-urgent issues,  999 if urgent and an immediate response is needed

Mental health resources
Crisis helpline - https://www.giveusashout.org/  text ‘shout’ to 852588 for 24/7 crisis text support

Childline – offer 1-2-1 counselling and free of charge and confidential. Available between 9am and 10:30 pm. (reduced hours due to corona virus). There you can find message boards. You can also call ChildLine for free, and you should get through immediately. They have games to help with self-esteem and confidence and much more along with advice on a huge range of topics.  Find the link below: 
Counselling:  https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/

Info and advice:  https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/

The calm zone – for anxiety and stress - https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/

Kooth is a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) accredited digital mental health support service. It gives children and young people easy access to an online community of peers and a team of experienced counsellors. Access is free of the typical barriers to support. Available for once-a-week sessions between 12pm (noon) -10pm on weekdays and 6pm-10pm on weekends every day of the year. Kooth can be accessed by
young people here: https://www.kooth.com/

MeeToo - An app to talk with other young people anonymously about anything you’d like.

Mental health support - CAMHS (if young person is currently under CAMHS); 01454 862431 or if you are concerned that you are not able to keep your child safe. If they are able to keep themselves safe, then take them to the Accident & Emergency department at Bristol Children hospital or call for an ambulance.

Samaritans – to talk to anyone who isn't in a good place - 116 123

Mental health apps approved by NHS - https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/category/mental-health/

Young Minds - Helpline for parents and young people - If there are concerns about a young person's mental health during this difficult time, you can contact the Young Minds Helplines.

Parents Helpline - If you are a parent who needs advice about your child’s mental health you can contact the Parents Helpline directly on 0808 802 between 9:30am-4pm

Young Minds Crisis Messenger - If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis you can text YM to 85258 for free 24/7 support. The Young Minds website is here: https://youngminds.org.uk/

Mind you - Please visit http://sites.southglos.gov.uk/mind-you/coronavirus-covid-19-useful-information.  Alternatively, if you need help and support or are worried about someone, advice is also available via Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership’s 24-hour helpline, please call 0300 3031320.

Sleep tips
The Good Sleep Guide Getting a good night’s sleep is as important as a balanced diet and regular exercise. Poor sleep can affect your emotional wellbeing, physical health and can affect your concentration and performance at school. Teenagers should aim for at least 9 hours sleep per night.

Make sure your bedroom is comfortable (not too hot, cold, noisy or bright). Establish a bedtime routine. This could include having a bath and a warm drink.

• Go to bed at the same time each night.
• Try to wake up and get up at the same time each day even if you have had a poor night’s sleep.
• Avoid napping during the day and no napping after 4pm. Try to use your bed for sleeping only and only sleeping in your bed (not on the sofa).
• If possible, use a table, desk, beanbag or comfy chair for other activities such as homework, revising, reading, or using your laptop or mobile phone. Get off your mobile phone, TV and computer at least one hour before bedtime and leave them outside your bedroom if you can.
• Get an alarm clock so you don’t have to rely on your mobile phone to wake you up.
• Avoid eating a heavy meal late at night BUT…  Don’t go to bed hungry. Have a milky drink or non-sugary snack such as a banana.
• Avoid tea, coffee and fizzy drinks – basically anything with caffeine in it. Try not to drink any caffeine after lunch.
• Exercise is good but not just before bedtime. Try exercising earlier in the day.
•  Don’t take your problems to bed. Try and have a time before bedtime to go through problems. Or write them down so you can sort them out the next day.

Bereavement
A list of organisations that provide help:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Bereavement_-_Helpful-organisations.pdf

Children’s understanding of death:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Childrens-understanding-of-and-reactions-to-death.pdf

A sheet with tasks to help you cope with bereavement:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Grief-support-for-self.pdf

A sheet teaching you how to respond to a friend that’s grieving:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Grief-support-from-friend.pdf

A sheet telling your parent or career how you want to cope with this and how they should interact with you:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Grief-support-from-parent-or-carer.pdf

Ideas of how to remember someone who’s died:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Remembering_those_who_have_died_-_advice_for_parents_and_carers.pdf

Supporting a bereaved child:
https://www.thecastleschool.org.uk/docs/safeguarding/bereavement/Supporting-a-bereaved_child_-_parents-and-carers_helpsheet.pdf

Young Carers
You’re under eighteen years old and look after another person at home, you are a young carer.  If so, you’re not alone. It’s estimated there are 50,000 young carers in the UK.  You may be looking after a parent or another relative, like a sister or brother.
You may be looking after someone because:

• they’re disabled
• they have a long-term illness
• they misuse drugs or alcohol
• or because someone else is finding it hard to cope with being a parent or carer

Young Carer

• find that you are not able to go out with your friends
•  be confused or angry about the situation at home
• be having difficulties at school or college because of your responsibilities at home
• feel alone and unable to talk to anyone about your situation
• need help with the caring

We can help you with any of the above, you must only ask, we think you’re fantastic.

Resource for young careers including mentoring and ways to get involved in other activities:  https://youngcarersresource.org/what-we-do/mentoring/

PLEASE TALK TO AN ADULT YOU TRUST IN SCHOOL IF YOU WANT HELP.   YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND IF YOU CARE, WE CARE!