This post is evidently very different to what I normally post about but I thought it was important to address this topic. I originally wrote this as a status on Facebook but have decided to post on my blog in the hope of reaching some more people.
This week is Children's Mental Health Week so it's time to raise awareness and also promote organisations that may be able to help with any issues...even the small ones that other people may see as 'petty'. No issue that makes you unhappy is 'petty', regardless of what other people say. It's important to promote that support is there for those who need it so I've decided to put together a list of contacts for under 18s suffering with a mental illness as well as for parents/carers that may need guidance or support as well.
A child's mental health not only affects them, but those around them which is why it's important to know that help is there for everyone if they need it. 0808 168 9144 is a freephone helpline number that is for parents/guardians and offers support and guidance on their children's mental health. This hotline is being run by https://www.place2be.org.uk/ for Children's Mental Health Week.
Other helplines for parents/carers include:
0808 802 5544 (http://www.youngminds.org.uk)
0808 800 2222 (http://www.familylives.org.uk)
0808 800 5000 (https://www.nspcc.org.uk)
All the phone numbers listed are free to call from mobile and landline.
If you are a child who needs support, or knows someone who needs it, here are some helpful contacts:
0800 1111 (https://www.childline.org.uk) Childline also offer an online chat via their website if you'd prefer not to call.
0300 304 7000 (http://www.sane.org.uk) 6pm-11pm daily.
General advice on medication for mental illnesses: http://www.headmeds.org.uk/
I hope that these contacts and websites have been beneficial to a few people. It's important that you get support when you need it but also remember it's important to make an appointment with a GP if you think you may be suffering with a mental illness. The sooner you make an appointment, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery. Mental illnesses are real illnesses and aren't just a feeling that you can push to one side which is the view that a lot of people have, hence why it's so important to promote not only contacts to help, but also to promote the issues themselves.
