Mental health helplines and services for young people

Get confidential support through text messaging. You can text about anything that’s on your mind. Your text will be answered by trained volunteers.
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You can speak to a trained volunteer at Samaritans about anything you’re going through. The volunteer will help you work through whatever is on your mind – they will not tell you what to do. If you email, it might take several days to get a response.

An online platform that offers one-to-one online chats with mental health professionals. You can chat to a professional when the chat is open, but you can explore the other parts of Kooth all the time.

Qualified wellbeing practitioners provide short-term therapeutic support for young people with mild to moderate mental health and emotional wellbeing needs. You need to meet at least two of: living in Brent, having a GP in Brent, and attending school in Brent. The service supports 5 to 18 year olds, or young people up to age 25 if they have a special educational need or are disabled. You can refer yourself, but parents/carers and professionals can make referrals too.

LYRA is a service that links together NHS teams and charities in Brent. It offers initial assessments to young people (aged up to 18, or 25 if they have a special educational need or are disabled), and then makes sure they’re referred on to the right service(s) to help them, which could include CAMHS and/or another organisation or service. LYRA doesn’t provide talking therapy, but the people who work there can refer you on to the best organisation to provide therapy for you. You can refer yourself to LYRA by calling or emailing the CNWL single point of access.

Information and support for anyone who is struggling with their eating – you do not need a formal diagnosis to get in touch. An advisor will work with you to make an action plan, and direct you towards information and support that will help you (or your lived one) work towards recovery. Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have different phone numbers and email addresses, listed on the Beat website.

Online meetings on Zoom for young people who are affected by a relative or friend’s alcohol use. Young people share their experiences and help and support each other.

Provides honest information and advice about drugs, helping young people understand risks, effects, and choices, and supporting those worried about drug use.

Supports children, young people and families affected by bereavement, offering help to cope with grief after the death of someone important or when someone is dying.

Phone helpline that offers emotional support to anyone affected by grief. You can talk to the trained volunteers about your feelings and how you’ve been coping.