One in six children and young people in the UK are experiencing a clinically significant mental illness, and even more are struggling with difficult thoughts or feelings. As parents and carers, we want to help – but it can be hard to know where to start.
Best For You is here to remind you that you’re not alone and make it easier for your family to access the support that’s right for you. We’ve put together digital resources that you can access immediately, as well as information about the other support available in North West London.
Mental health conditions
Learning more about mental health problems can help people understand their thoughts and feelings. Young people don’t need to be diagnosed with a mental health condition to get support through Best For You.
ADHD
ADHD is a condition that affects people’s behaviour. People with ADHD may seem restless, struggle to concentrate, and act impulsively.
Anorexia
Anorexia is an eating disorder that makes people worry a lot about food, eating, their weight, or their body shape.
Anxiety
Anxiety makes people feel worried or panicky a lot –even when stressful things aren’t happening. This sort of anxiety can get in the way of people’s daily lives.
ARFID
ARFID stands for ‘avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder’, which is an eating disorder.
Autism
Autism is a developmental condition that affects how people experience the world and interact with others.
Binge eating disorder
People with binge eating disorder eat large quantities of food over a short period of time.
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar disorder makes people experience very high or low moods, which can often last for long periods of time.
Borderline personality disorder
Also known as emotionally unstable personality disorder, borderline personality disorder affects how people see themselves and relate to others.
Bulimia
Bulimia is an eating disorder. People with bulimia get into a cycle where they overeat and then make themselves sick, do a lot of exercise, or use laxatives.
Depression
Depression is a mood disorder that makes people feel down, low, or sad all the time. These feelings can last for a long time.
OCD
OCD is a condition that involves distressing thoughts, images, or feelings (obsessions) and actions that people feel they have to do to manage (compulsions).
Phobias
A phobia is an extreme fear of an object, person, animal, activity, place, feeling, or situation.
PTSD
PTSD is an anxiety disorder that develops after people have experienced or witnessed a really distressing event.
Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia makes people experience things in a way that doesn’t match up to the way other people experience reality.
Get support for how you’re feeling
Get mental health support for young people
Information about mental health services (including CAMHS) if you’re a young person in Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, or Westminster.
Digital mental health support for young people across the UK
Information about apps, websites, and other digital tools that exist to support you with your mental health and wellbeing.
Apps through Best For You
Best For You signposts to a range of great apps that you can use to support your wellbeing.
What’s going on
The latest videos, apps, and information about mental health and wellbeing.
One – Mind Of My Own (app of the month March 2024)
The One app supports young people to communicate with trusted adults.
Is social media bad for mental health? How to protect your wellbeing while you scroll
It’s not uncommon to see headlines about how social media is bad for mental health, but with the right approach, it’s possible to appreciate the benefits and take care of your mental health too.
How to express yourself: five ways to share what’s on your mind
It can be difficult to know how to express yourself, whatever’s on your mind. Here are some ideas for ways to get started on your own or with the help of others.
Smile (app of the month February 2024)
The Smile app helps people with chronic physical health conditions manage their wellbeing using five evidence-based approaches.
Support Best For You
Your contribution to Best For You could make a big difference to young people who need support. There are lots of different ways to support Best For You, whether you want to share your thoughts, donate, fundraise, volunteer, or partner with us.