Get mental health and wellbeing support for children and young people

There are a range of local and national services available for children and young people who need mental health and wellbeing support. You can also request a Mental Health Act assessment, if you're concerned about someone who is at significant risk of hurting themselves or others.

WarningIf you're concerned that you or someone else is in immediate danger, go to A&E or call 999. 

Request a Mental Health Act assessment

Any age group can have an assessment, including children and young people. However, before you request an assessment under the Mental Health Act (where a person is detained for assessment and treatment), discuss this first with a keyworker, health or social care professional, or the Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP), to see if there is an alternative way of ensuring someone's safety and well-being. 

If there is no other alternative

If you're a relative or a health professional who believes someone urgently needs treatment for a mental health disorder, and is at risk of harm to themselves or others, call our Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) team on 01225 36 27 78 (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Thursday, and until 4.30pm Fridays), or our Emergency Duty team on 01454 61 51 65 (after 5pm Monday to Friday, on weekends and bank holidays).

Find mental health and wellbeing support

Mental health support

CAMHS Online Resources

CAMHS Online Resources is a website for young people, carers and professionals that pools together lots of helpful resources from across the internet that are available to help support your mental health and wellbeing. They also have a collection of different websites for different needs and issues.

Off the Record

Off the Record provide a range of free services including counselling, listening support, youth participation, advocacy and specialist groups, support for care leavers and a LGBT+ focused youth group.

Youth Connect

Youth Connect offer a range of support including youth work, 1-1 targeted support, and careers advice and guidance.

The Hub

The Hub has a variety of resources related to the support and delivery of positive mental health and wellbeing in schools. These include national and local guidance, teaching and learning resources, staff wellbeing and professional development, and sources of support and help for children and young people.

Sapling CBT

Sapling CBT is a private specialist child and adolescent Cognitive Behavioural Therapy provider. Reduced fees and funding may be available through St Johns Foundation, which provides funding support to individuals and families in B&NES who are struggling financially.

The Mix

The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. They can help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. They offer online and social media support, or a free, confidential helpline.

Boys in Mind

Boys in Mind provides resources aimed at helping reduce the stigma around male mental health issues.

OCD Action

OCD Action is a national charity that provides support and information to anybody affected by OCD, works to raise awareness of the disorder amongst the public and front-line healthcare workers, and strives to secure a better deal for people with OCD.

SupportLine

SupportLine offer confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post.

Students Against Depression

Students Against Depression is a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.

Healthtalk

Healthtalk can help you find out about what it’s like to live with a health condition, by watching other people share their stories.

Trauma Recovery Centres, Bath

The TRC facilitates recovery for children, young people and parents/carers as they process the trauma, helping them move from psychological shock through to recovery. They are supported as they piece their lives back together until a wholeness can be found.

Substance use

Project 28 B&NES Drug and Alcohol Service

For adults

Offers free and confidential support for substance use to people in the comunity. Delivered by Turning Point, Bristol Drugs Project and The Nelson Trust.

For young people

Dedicated to supporting young people, offering a free, flexible and accessible service. They offer support on an outreach basis, meeting young people in appropriate community venues separate from adult services, including local authority premises, at the young person's home, in school, or other suitable venues.

FRANK

FRANK offers free confidential support and advice about drugs for young people.

Re-Solv

Re-Solv is a charity working across the UK to end solvent abuse and support all those whose lives are affected by it. They offer telephone, text, email, and online support.

Action on Addiction

Action on Addiction provides help and information to families and individuals who are worried about alcohol or drug misuse problems.

We are with you

We are with you includes specialist services for young people and access to local projects.

DrugFAM

DrugFAM supports families affected by a loved one’s use of drugs or alcohol.

Release

Release provides help, advice, information, support, and referral to people affected directly and indirectly by drug use.

Amy Winehouse Foundation

Amy Winehouse Foundation works to prevent the effects of drug and alcohol misuse on young people. They also aim to support, inform and inspire vulnerable and disadvantaged young people to help them reach their full potential.

Realiteen

Realiteen have produced an educational DVD for parents of teenagers in particular. The DVD aims to give further education to parents on smoking, drinking, drugs, and sex.

Suicide and self-harm prevention

Harmless

Harmless is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self harm and suicide prevention including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self harm, their friends and families and professionals and those at risk of suicide.

Papyrus is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.

Self Injury Support

Self Injury Support provides email, text and web chat support for women & girls affected by self-injury, trauma and abuse.

No Harm Done

No Harm Done is a project run by Young Minds aimed at young people who are self harming or at risk of self harming, their parents and the professionals working with them.

stem4

stem4 is a charity that promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them including their families and carers, education professionals, as well as school nurses and GPs through the provision of mental health education, resilience strategies and early intervention.

Peri-natal infant mental health

My Time My Space

My Time My Space is a partnership between Creativity Works, Health Visitors, and Children's Centres that provides a safe space where women can express themselves creatively and and helps to develop community and peer support for women locally.

Make a Move

Make a Move delivers group sessions for primary and secondary school-aged pupils who may be finding life difficult.

Creativity Works

Creativity Works deliver creative projects with communities.

Children's Centres

Children's Centres provide a variety of groups and courses for families with children.