Helping Friends
There can be many reasons why you are worried about a friend. Sometimes watching a friend go through a difficult time can be overwhelming or you might feel out of your depth or powerless to help. But don’t give up! Being a good friend, especially when things are difficult, is really important. Sometimes you might need to find help from other people.
EPIC Friends is CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service) website dedicated to helping you to help your friends who might be struggling to cope emotionally. www.epicfriends.co.uk/
Childline www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/friends-relationships-sex/friends/helping-friend/ 0800 1111 any time. Childline has information and advice about how you can support your friend if they are:
- Being bullied
- Suicidal
- Going through a tough time
- Self harming
- Being abused
- Coping with death
Help in South Gloucestershire
Schools employ a variety of people to look after your wellbeing. Some of the titles of these staff may vary in your school but you will be able to find out about them from a teacher. Most schools have a nurse who will either have a drop-in clinic or you can make an appointment to see them.
GP – you can make an appointment to visit your doctor or a nurse at the surgery to talk about any worries or concerns you have.
CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) – these are community teams that help children and young people with emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties.
Off the Record – free mental health support for 11-18 year olds. www.otrbristol.org.uk, 0808 808 9120. Email: hello@otrbristol.org.uk
South Gloucestershire Talking Therapies – free support for people aged 16 and over. https://iapt-sglos.awp.nhs.uk/, 0117 378 4270.
Network Counselling – for ages 11 and up. Call 01179507271 or visit www.network.org.uk (contribution required).
The Bridge Foundation – individual and family counselling, call 0117 9424510 or visit www.bridgefoundation.org.uk (charges apply).
Relate Avon – relationship counselling services available for young people aged 10-18. Call 0117 9428444 or visit www.relate-avon.org.uk (charges apply).
Other information and support
ChildLine – free helpline for children and young people to talk about any problem 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk
The Mix: telephone and email support for under 25’s. Freephone 0808 808 4994 (1pm-11pm) www.themix.org.uk
Kooth – Free, safe and anonymous online counselling support for young people aged 11-18yrs olds.
Samaritans – if something is troubling you call 08457 90 90 90 or email jo@samaritans.org
Get self-help – free online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) resources, www.getselfhelp.co.uk.
Reading Well; Shelf help – a list of recommended books to help young people deal with a range of issues, available in all libraries – https://reading-well.org.uk/books/books-on-prescription/young-people-mental-health