In this post I list the top 7 helplines which I believe could help teens in day-to-day life and when they may benefit from additional support. I also explain why I believe helplines are a powerful tool for supporting teens. In an age of increasing mental health concerns among youth, providing accessible and anonymous support has become more critical than ever.
- What is a helpline?
- The youth mental health crisis
- Helplines and the power of anonymity
- Helpline 1: Childline
- Helpline 2: Kooth
- Helpline 3: The Mix
- Helpline 4: Papyrus
- Helpline 5: Samaritans
- Helpline 6: Shout
- Helpline 7: Young Minds
- To summarise
What is a helpline?
Helplines are specialized phone services, online platforms, or mobile apps designed to offer support, guidance, and assistance to individuals dealing with personal, emotional, or mental health issues. These invaluable resources connect young people with trained professionals, counsellors, or volunteers who lend a compassionate ear and a helping hand when they need it most.
The youth mental health crisis
As we witness a concerning rise in mental illness among youth, the need for readily available support has never been more urgent. Today’s teenagers navigate an increasingly complex and fast-paced world, facing academic pressures, social media challenges, and personal insecurities. In this context, helplines play a pivotal role in offering a lifeline to those struggling, guiding them towards coping mechanisms, resources, and professional help as needed.
Helplines and the power of anonymity
Teenagers often prefer speaking anonymously about their problems, and helplines offer them precisely that. In a world where self-expression can feel daunting, anonymity grants a safe space for young individuals to openly discuss their concerns without fear of judgment or social stigma. This sense of privacy encourages teenagers to share their innermost thoughts, emotions, and challenges honestly, allowing for more effective and personalized support.
Below I list the top 7 helplines, in alphabetical order, which I believe could help teens.
Helpline 1: Childline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through.
http://www.childline.org.uk
You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.
Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Phone number: 0800 1111
Additional features:
- Email and 1-2-1 messaging with a counsellor
- Support articles and videos
- Videos in British Sign Language (BSL)
- Advice in Cymraeg (Welsh)
- “Hide page” button which allows the visitor to exit the site quickly
Helpline 2: Kooth
Kooth was established in the UK over 20 years ago and is the largest digital provider of mental services for children and young people. It is commissioned primarily by the National Health Service and is the only digital service of its kind to be accredited by the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
http://www.kooth.com/parent-faqs
Website: www.kooth.com
Phone number: Not applicable
Additional features:
- Online platform
- Helpful articles
- Discussion boards
- Daily journal
- Speak online with a practitioner
Helpline 3: The Mix
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
http://www.themix.org.uk/about-us
Website: www.themix.org.uk
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Additional features:
- Email and one-to-one online chat
- Free counselling online
- Support articles
- Discussion boards
Helpline 4: Papyrus
We are a leading youth suicide prevention charity in the UK. Our suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINE247, is staffed by trained suicide prevention advisers, who work with young people – and anybody concerned for a young person – to help keep them safe from suicide. HOPELINE247 is a free and confidential call, text and email service, which is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year
http://www.papyrus-uk.org/aboutus/
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Phone: 0800 068 4141
Additional features:
- Email and text support
- Help and advice resources
- Audio versions and language translations available for some resources
- Provide education and training
- Participate in nationwide mental health campaigns
Helpline 5: Samaritans
Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
http://www.samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
Phone: 116 123
Additional features:
- Email and online chat support
- Self-help app
- Write a letter
- Support in Cymraeg (Welsh)
Helpline 6: Shout
Shout is the UK’s first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.
giveusashout.org/about-us/about-shout
Website: https://giveusashout.org
Phone: Not applicable
Additional features:
- 24/7 text support, text “SHOUT” to 85258
- Online resources and support
Helpline 7: Young Minds
We’re the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
We want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
http://www.youngminds.org.uk/about-us
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Phone (for parents and carers): 0808 802 5544
Additional features:
- Phone, webchat, and email support for parents and carers of young people who are concerned about their child’s mental health up to the age of 25
- Guides and advice for young people
- Training and resources for professionals who work with young people
- Participate in nation wide mental health campaigns
To summarise
Helplines stand as an indispensable pillar of support for youth work efforts, providing teenagers with a safe haven to share their struggles anonymously. As we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing world, let us stand united in our commitment to empower and uplift the younger generation, ensuring that they know they are never alone in their journey towards a brighter future.
The Next Generation Blog 