Guide for parents / carers to support positive mental health and wellbeing:

YMCA Right Here has been developed by young people, parents and carers to help support positive mental health and wellbeing: Health and wellbeing - YMCA DownsLink Group (ymcadlg.org)

Direct emotional and mental health support for children and young people locally:

• For support and information for children and their families after the death of a parent or sibling visit www.winstonswish.org

• For confidential support and advice for young people struggling with thoughts of suicide www.papyrus-uk.org/

• For emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide www.samaritans.org/branches/brighton-hove-and-district-samaritans/ Tel: 116 123

• For confidential support, advice and access to service if you are worried about a young person’s substance misuse visit Help with alcohol or drug misuse (brighton-hove.gov.uk or call the consultation line on 01273 293966 Monday - Friday between 12pm - 3pm

•  You should also consider contacting your GP. They can provide advice, and where appropriate arrange support services for you.

Useful phone numbers

Here are two phone numbers young  people, parents and carers can call if you want information or advice on mental health and wellbeing:

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• Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services: Duty: 0300 304 0061 (9am - 5pm)

• Sussex Mental HealthLine: 0300 5000 101 (5pm - 9am, weekends, bank holidays)

Texting services, apps

• The Mix provides support to under 25s – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Young people can get in touch and access support online, via social media or via the free, confidential helpline www.themix.org.uk

• Young Minds Crisis Messenger text YM to 85258 www.youngminds.org.uk

• Calm Harm, Smiling Mind, Stay Alive, Anti Stress apps

Mental health and wellbeing

Mental health affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others and make choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

This page describes a range of services that are supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing. While the services currently  listed may not specialise in supporting young people with complex learning difficulties, there is some useful advice and guidance for everyone.

For more information about services available in the Brighton and Hove area visit:
MENTAL HEALTH & WELLBEING