Mental health resources for young adults

If you need help during a mental health crisis or emergency, NHS urgent mental health helplines provide:

• 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
• Help to speak to a mental health professional
• An assessment to help decide on the best course of care

Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline.

In a health emergency, always call 999. Deaf people can use 18000 to contact 999 using text relay.

Samaritans – To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org.

SANEline – If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30-10.30pm every day).

The Mix – If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (Sunday-Friday 2-11pm), request support by email or use their crisis text messenger service.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – If you identify as male, you can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight every day) or use their webchat service.

Switchboard – If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am-10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.

Shout – Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. TEXT ‘SHOUT’ TO 85258.

Every Mind Matters (anxiety) – quizzes, information and videos to help you deal with anxiety.

Anxiety UK is a charity that supports people to deal with anxiety. Helpline: 03444 775 774 | Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm.

Mind (anxiety) provide advice on their website about anxiety, panic attacks and self-care.

Every Mind Matters (low mood) – tips and videos to help you deal with feelings of low mood and depression

Mind (depression) – have information on their website about depression

Rethink (depression) – help people experiencing mental illness and have information and factsheets on their website

Steps2Wellbeing – offer psychological therapies for mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety and stress. There is a wealth of support available for Southampton residents including courses, webinars, video consultations, workbooks and resources

The Dual Diagnosis Network was set up to provide resources, information, and recovery tools aimed at those who:

1. Have a dual diagnosis (co-occurring mental health &/or addiction issues)
2. Their carers, family members & friends
3. And Professionals who work with people with complex mental health & addiction issues

We aim to provide and/or signpost as many useful mental health, addiction, or dual diagnosis-specific tools & resources as possible to help improve the outcomes of those with co-occurring disorders.

Beat Eating Disorders’ national helplines – support people with eating disorders:

• Helpline: 0808 801 0677
• Studentline: 0808 801 0811
• Youthline: 0808 801 0711

Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am-8pm during the week, and 4-8pm on weekends and bank holidays.

SEED – eating disorder support service.

Anorexia – information from Young Minds.

Mind (eating problems) – explains eating problems, including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.

Hampshire Youth Access are offering online counselling to young people aged between 14 and 17 (up to the eve of their 18th birthday) who live in Hampshire and are registered with a GP in Hampshire and to those aged 14-25 living in Southampton and are registered with a Southampton GP.

They can offer up to 6 'live chat' sessions on a bespoke, secure, platform, each session lasting 50 minutes. These sessions are held at the same time and on the same day each week. If you feel you are ready to ask for some support to help understand how you are feeling, and feel ready to make some changes for yourself, find out more by visiting: counselling.hampshireyouthaccess.org.uk

PATH – aims to raise awareness of Perinatal Mental Health and support families who are affected

Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) Service – supports people in Southampton aged 14-35 who are experiencing psychosis. You can refer yourself to this service and you will receive individual support to meet you needs.

South EIP Team (Southampton) – 02380 878040 / 07775 535109    

Rethink (psychosis) – explain the signs and symptoms of psychosis.

PTSD – UK exists to share information and raise awareness of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Battle Scars – are a charity that offer virtual support groups and resources

Advice and support – from Mind

Solent Mind Self Harm Support Hub – Solent Mind has launched a new Self Harm Support Hub to provide support to parents, carers and professionals in Hampshire & the Isle of Wight. Supporting a young person who self-harms can be a difficult journey. The new hub includes information and toolkits in addition to access to new peer support groups, training resources and wellbeing information provided by Solent Mind

S.P.A.C.E. (Suicide Prevention, Awareness, Connection and Education), is a new initiative of Creative Options Community Project funded through Southampton City Council as part of the Hampshire Suicide Prevention Strategy to help support people who are struggling with their mental health. The aim of this programme is to specifically help prevent self-harm and suicide. It is a space for open dialogue, discussion and support and a range of helpful courses both with live tutors and other courses which are introduced with group discussion, which people can follow up in their own time according to their need.

If you have any further questions or concerns, please do check out our website at Creative Options or contact the SPACE e-mail at space@creative-options.org or ask our manager for more details at creativeoptionsmanager@creative-options.org.

HSE's Working Minds initiative is being supported by a number of industry partners including ACAS, CECA, Composites UK, the Homecare Association, the Farm Safety Foundation, Lifelines Scotland, Mates in Mind and Mind. Together we aim to provide small businesses and workers with relevant information and practical tools to recognise and respond the signs of stress at work, promoting good mental health.

Kooth is a free anonymous, confidential, safe, online wellbeing service, offering professional support, information and forums for young people.

Find out more and sign up at Kooth.

NHS Live Well is a helpful tool from the NHS that gives advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

There are simple things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing. Take the short Mind Plan Quiz from Every Mind Matters to get a free NHS plan, full of tailored tips and advice to help you manage stress, sleep better and boost your mood.

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Visit Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing to find out more. 

Action for Happiness explores what we can do to grow and look after our happiness in the 10 Keys to Happier Living.

Optimism is an attitude of believing the best in a situation and we can learn how to challenge negative self-talk and pessimism and become more positive about ourselves, others and our situation.

Getting enough sleep is really important to help us feel energetic and positive. These resources can help you to get a better night’s sleep.

Every Mind Matters (sleep) – advice and support for if you have trouble sleeping

Some stress is good for us – like Goldilocks and the 3 bears, too little stress can lead us to boredom and depression, too much can cause anxiety and poor health. Just the right amount of challenge makes us feel energised and actually improves performance and health.

Investigate what stresses and calms you and how you can manage yourself to stay in the optimum 'just right' zone.

Every Mind Matters (stress) – quizzes, videos and advice for coping with stress

Mental Health Foundation – how to manage and reduce stress

Mind (work and stress) – how to cope with stress at work