See below for our suggested support organisations
For Children & Young People
Bridge the Gap Facilitators
Support Organisations - for Children and Young People
Crisis and Urgent Support
Call 111 and select “Mental Health” or call 0300 123 5440 Connection 24/7 Phone Line for Dorset to access round the clock mental health advice and support
Call 999 for a medical emergency or if someone has already harmed themselves
https://www.activedorset.org/latestnews/2020/01/mental-health-support-in-dorset
Mental Health Crisis Team
Crisis teams support people who are in a crisis (e.g. due to psychosis, severe self-harm or suicide attempts) by giving assessments and short-term help to make sure they don’t need to go to hospital. They support people in the community – which could be in the home.
Tel: 01305 214500 (Dorchester Community Mental Health Team)
Tel: 01305 362060 (Weymouth & Portland Community Mental Health Team)
9am – 5pm Monday to Friday
Samaritans 24-hour helpline
Phone: 116 123 English speakers (24-hrs, 365 days a year)
This is a FREEPHONE number that can even be called from a mobile that has no credit, and the call will not appear on the phone bill.
jo@samaritans.org (24 hour response time)
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
Local area organisations
Dorset Mind Your Head
A Dorset-wide programme aimed to help young people of Dorset to be as mentally healthy as possible
https://dorsetmindyourhead.co.uk
Dorset Young People's Eating Disorders service
In Dorset, either contact your GP or any health and social care professional, or you can refer yourself directly to the specialist ED service whose contact details are below and they will advise you of what the best next steps will be so that you can get help.
Tel: 01202 492415
dhc.referrals.ypeds@nhs.net
https://camhsdorset.org/contact-us (for Teams in the different areas of Dorset).
Mosaic
A Dorset-wide charity offering a pathway of support to bereaved children, young people and their families, or who are facing the death of a loved one
Tel: 01258 837071
https://mosaicfamilysupport.org/
Space Youth Project
Information, guidance and advice service for any young person who identifies as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans (LGBT+) or is questioning their sexuality and / or gender identity
Tel: 01202 205279 / 07973 405280
STARS
Providing dedicated counselling and a specialist Independent Sexual Violence Advisor (ISVA) service specifically for Children and Young People in Dorset who have experienced sexual violence.
General enquiries: 01202 308840
Helpline: 01202 308855
https://www.starsdorset.org/children-and-young-persons-service
National Organisations UK
Information, advice and support agencies
Child Bereavement
Supports families when a child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement.
Tel: 0800 0288840 (Helpline – Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
Childline
A counselling service for children and young people; support and information also available
Tel: 0800 1111
Gender Identity Development Service (NHS)
For children and adolescents up to the age of eighteen who are experiencing difficulties in the development of gender identity, and their families
Tel: 020 8938 2030/1
Grief Encounter
Grief Encounter aims to provide support to anyone who has suffered from bereavement. They offer support via their helpline. Their website has resources for children, teenagers, adults and professionals.
Tel: 0808 8020111 (Helpline – Monday-Friday 9am-9pm)
grieftalk@griefencounter.org.uk
Hope Again
The youth website of Cruse Bereavement Care. It is a safe place where young people can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.
Tel: 0808 808 1677 (Mon-Fri, 09:30-17:00)
hopeagain@cruse.org.uk (private email if a young person wants to talk to a trained volunteer)
Kooth
Online anonymous mental health well being community for young people; safe, anonymous counselling
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA)
Provides information, advice and support for everyone affected by a parent’s drinking.
Tel: 0800 358 3456 (helpline)
NSPCC
Tel: Call Childline on 0800 1111 (Any young person aged 18 and under)
Tel: 0808 800 5000 (For anyone who wants to discuss or report a concern about the safety or welfare of a child.)
Papyrus UK
Practical advice on suicide prevention for young people UK is a confidential support and advice service for Children and Young People under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide
Tel: 0800 068 4141 – HopeLine
Relate
Working to support relationships through providing advice, information and counselling
https://www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-children-and-young-people
Riprap
A site for teenagers (12-16) with a parent with cancer
The Mix
Essential support for under 25s whatever the challenge. From mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs, young people can talk via the online community, on social, through the free, confidential helpline or through the counselling service.
Tel: 0808 808 4994
Winston’s Wish
UK wide national helpline offering support, information and guidance to children, young people, and anyone caring for a child / young person who has been bereaved. The trained staff can listen, offer support, provide information, give options and practical suggestions about how to deal with bereavement and anyone affected. They also have a message board for young people on their website.
Tel: 0808 8020021 (Helpline)
Young Minds
Leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges.
Young people experiencing crisis can text free -YM to 85258
Tel: Parents helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday–Friday 9.30am–4pm)
Useful Apps
Calm – meditation and sleep stories
Calm Harm – help for teenagers thinking about self-harm
Clear Fear – help for children and teenagers with anxiety
Stop, Breathe and Think Kids – meditation and mindfulness made easy and fun for children
Bridge The Gap Facilitators Ltd is a registered company
Company number: 12881326 (England & Wales)
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