If you are struggling with any of the issues I talked about in All I Know Now, or with anything else that feels overwhelming, or you just want to talk to someone, please make use of the resources below. I hope they help.
Don’t forget about your family doctor! Your GP can be a really good place to start if you’re trying to deal with a problem (physical or psychological) and are feeling a bit overwhelmed. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to the same doctor who treats your parents, or if your doctor’s a man and you’d rather speak to a woman, just ask the receptionist to make you an appointment with someone else. And remember that anything you tell your doctor is confidential unless they believe there is an immediate risk to you or someone else – but they should always consult you before they share your private information. Ask your doctor to explain your right to confidentiality before you speak to them if that would make you feel more comfortable.
It’s worth checking out www.nhs.uk for information about finding a GP, as well as factsheets on a huge variety of issues. In the UK you can call the NHS on 111 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) for any urgent but non-emergency medical assistance or for advice on who to speak to about a particular problem.
For further information about confidentiality and your rights in the UK, check out:
bit.ly/brookmyrights
bit.ly/nhsmyrights
I have included some links to helpful organisations outside of the UK below, but unfortunately I can’t list all the brilliant organisations out there in the world or this book would be twice as long! If you need help or advice and can’t find anything local listed below, then you could ask your doctor or school counsellor to recommend a suitable organisation – and a lot of the advice provided on these websites will be relevant and helpful no matter where you live. If you would like to recommend any services that you’ve found useful then please do so in the comments and perhaps you’ll help out a fellow reader!
General Advice and Support
Get Connected
Free confidential advice for young people under twenty-five. This is a very comprehensive website providing useful factsheets on a variety of topics including bullying, self-harm, sex, drugs and mental health, with links to further resources. There’s loads of really clear and useful information on this site, so it’s a good place to start if you’re feeling lost.
Call 0808 808 4994 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. every day or text 80849 and someone will get back to you within twenty-four hours.
Visit www.getconnected.org.uk for further information, online chat and a confidential email service.
The Site
An online guide to life for sixteen- to twenty-five-year-olds, providing advice and support on topics from ‘sex and exam stress to debt and drugs’.
Visit www.thesite.org for further information and access to a variety of resources and moderated chat boards.
SpunOut.ie
Website offering extensive resources and advice for young people on a wide variety of issues including relationships, school, drugs and alcohol, body image and self-esteem.
Visit www.spunout.ie for further information, articles and links to useful resources and other support services.
ReachOut.com
A comprehensive website for under-twenty-fives, with lots of resources and advice on issues including bullying, relationships, alcohol and drugs and sexuality.
Visit au.reachout.com for further information, factsheets and access to an online forum.
Healthline
Free medical advice – twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
Call 0800 611 116 to speak to a registered nurse.
Visit www.healthline.govt.nz for further information.
Teen Tools
A useful website for young people, offering a range of information on topics including drugs, alcohol, sexual health and bullying.
Visit www.teentools.co.nz for a variety of factsheets and links to other useful organisations and services.
Samaritans
Free confidential support for anyone in distress – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 08457 90 90 90 from the UK and 116 123 from the Republic of Ireland, or email [email protected].
Visit www.samaritans.org for further information.
ChildLine
Free confidential advice and support for children and young people – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 0800 1111.
Visit www.childline.org for further information and an online chat facility.
Childline
Free confidential advice and support for children and young people – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 1800 666 666 or text ‘Talk’ to 50101.
Visit www.childline.ie for further information, factsheets on a variety of issues and an online chat facility.
Lifeline
Helpline offering free confidential support for anyone in distress – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 13 11 14.
Visit www.lifeline.org.au for further information, an online chat facility (7 p.m. to 4 a.m.) and information about Lifeline centres in your area.
Kids Helpline
Free, confidential counselling service for anyone between the ages of five and twenty.
Call 1800 55 1800.
Visit www.kidshelp.com.au for further information, an online chat facility and confidential email service.
Samaritans
Helpline offering free confidential support for anyone in distress – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 04 473 9739 or 0800 726 666.
Visit www.samaritans.org.nz for further information.
Youthline
Free confidential advice and support for young people – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call 0800 37 66 33 (24/7) or text 234 between 8 a.m. and midnight. Email [email protected].
Visit www.youthline.co.nz for further information and to find out about face to face services in your area.
What’s Up
Free confidential counselling and advice service for anyone between the ages of five and eighteen.
Call 0800 942 8787 to speak to a counsellor between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Visit www.whatsup.co.nz for further information and access to an online chat facility.
Specialist Help: Bullying and Online Safety
If you are being bullied and don’t feel you can speak to your parents or a teacher, you can call ChildLine (UK) on 0800 1111, Childline (Ireland) on 1800 666 666 (or text ‘Bully’ to 50101), Kids Helpline (Australia) on 1800 55 1800 or Youthline (New Zealand) on 0800 37 66 33.
Kidscape
Charity providing information and support for young people who are being bullied.
Visit www.kidscape.org.uk for information and advice.
Additional Resources
NHS factsheet: bit.ly/nhsbullying
Kidscape factsheet on cyber bullying: bit.ly/kidscapebullying
Specialist Help: Drugs and Alcohol
FRANK
Confidential advice for anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s drug use or alcohol consumption.
Call 0300 123 6600 or text a question to 82111.
Visit www.talktofrank.com for further information, online chat and a confidential email service.
Drug and Alcohol Information and Support
Free confidential service offering advice and support for anyone struggling with drugs or alcohol.
Call 1800 459 459 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.).
Email [email protected].
Additional Resources
NHS factsheet (alcohol): bit.ly/nhsalcohol
NHS factsheet (drugs): bit.ly/nhsdrugs
In Australia please contact Lifeline or the Kids Helpline and in New Zealand Youthline or What’s Up on the numbers above if you are concerned about your own or someone else’s drug or alcohol use.
Specialist Help: Eating Disorders
Beat
Confidential information, help and support for anyone affected by eating disorders.
Call 0845 634 7650 (Monday to Friday, 1.30 p.m. to 4.30 p.m.; Mondays and Wednesdays, 5.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.) or text 07786 20 18 20 and someone will get back to you within twenty-four hours.
Email [email protected].
Visit www.b-eat.co.uk for further information, online chat and information about support groups in your area.
Bodywhys
Organisation supporting people with eating disorders.
Call 1890 200 444 for advice and support – line open for two hours every day, see website for details.
Visit www.bodywhys.ie for helpline opening hours, online support group and further information and resources.
The Butterfly Foundation
Confidential information, help and support for anyone affected by eating disorders.
Call 1800 ED HOPE / 1800 33 46 73 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. AEST except public holidays).
Visit thebutterflyfoundation.org.au for further information, online chat and a confidential email service.
Additional Resources
NHS factsheet: bit.ly/nhseatingdisorders
In New Zealand, please call Youthline on the number above if you need to speak to someone about eating disorders.
Specialist Help: Mental Health
SANE
Support for people suffering from mental health problems, including parents and carers.
Call 0845 767 8000 (every evening, 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.).
Visit www.sane.org.uk for further information and access to an online support forum.
Young Minds
Charity committed to ‘improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people’.
Visit www.youngminds.org.uk for information on a variety of issues, as well as links to further resources.
Mind
Charity providing ‘advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem’.
Call 0300 123 3393 for confidential practical advice on how to find support in your area (9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding bank holidays) or text 86463 with a question.
Visit www.mind.org.uk for further information and resources.
Headstrong
Organisation dedicated to raising awareness of mental health issues among young people in Ireland, and providing support.
Visit www.headstrong.ie for resources, information about support groups in your area and links for further support networks.
Beyondblue
Charity providing support for people suffering from depression and anxiety.
Call 1300 22 4636 for confidential support and advice – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Visit www.beyondblue.org.au for further information, an online chat facility and confidential email service.
Headspace
Website providing information and resources on a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and self-harm.
Visit www.headspace.org.nz for further information and resources.
Suicide Prevention Information
Organisation dedicated to raising awareness of suicide prevention in New Zealand.
Visit www.spinz.org.nz for information, resources and links to useful services.
Additional Resources
Get Connected factsheet and resources: bit.ly/getconnectedmentalhealth
NHS factsheet: bit.ly/nhsmentalhealth
Specialist Help: Self-Harm
National Self-Harm Network
Online support forum for people who self-harm.
Visit www.nshn.co.uk for crisis support, information and resources.
Self-Injury Support
Charity providing support to girls and women in distress and in danger of harming themselves.
Call 0808 800 8088 (Wednesdays 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursdays 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) to speak to a trained female volunteer or text 0780 047 2908 (open Monday to Friday, 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., although all texts are answered).
Visit www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk for further information, resources and a confidential email service.
Pieta House
Irish organisation dedicated to the prevention of self-harm or suicide.
Visit www.pieta.ie for information and contact details for centres in your area.
Headspace
Website providing information and resources on a variety of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety and self-harm.
Visit www.headspace.org.nz for further information and resources.
Additional Resources
NHS factsheet: bit.ly/nhsselfinjury
Get Connected factsheet and resources: bit.ly/getconnectedselfinjury
In Australia, please contact Lifeline or the Kids Helpline (numbers above) if you need to speak to someone about self-harm.
Specialist Help: Sex and Relationships
Brook Advisory Service
Advice and counselling for young people (under twenty-five) on sex, contraception, pregnancy, sexual health and abortion.
Drop-in appointments available at clinics nationwide – visit www.brook.org.uk to find one near you or to use the confidential ‘Ask Brook’ service.
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard
Charity providing support, advice and counselling for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people and anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality. In spite of the name, this is a national service!
Call 0300 330 0630 for advice and support (10 a.m. to 11 p.m., 365 days a year).
Visit www.llgs.org.uk for further information and resources, access to instant messaging and an email service.
Rape Crisis Helpline
Confidential support and counselling for victims of sexual assault and rape.
Call 0808 802 9999 (12 p.m. to 2.30 p.m., 7 p.m. to 9.30 p.m., seven days a week).
Visit www.rapecrisis.org.uk for information and to find your nearest crisis centre.
This Is Abuse
A useful website with information on how to identify abusive behaviour, with advice and support for anyone affected.
Visit thisisabuse.direct.gov.uk for further information.
Dean Street Express
A brilliant walk-in sexual health clinic, where you can be quickly tested for STDs and STIs even if you are symptom-free. I recently made a video about my experiences of being tested at this very clinic, which you can watch here: bit.ly/carrie-sexhealth
Visit bit.ly/deanstreetexpress for further information. The Brook website (see above) provides information on finding similar clinics in your area.
BeLonG To
Organisation providing information and support to young LGBT people.
Visit www.belongto.org to find out about support groups in your area and for further information and resources.
Positive Options
Organisation providing crisis pregnancy counselling services.
Free-text ‘List’ to 50444 to access counselling services in your area.
Visit www.positiveoptions.ie for further information.
Sex ’n’ Respect
Website providing information about sex, consent and respectful relationships.
Visit www.sexnrespect.co.nz for further information and links to helpful services.
Rainbow Youth
Website providing support and resources for young gay and trans people between the ages of thirteen and twenty-eight.
Visit www.rainbowyouth.org.nz for information about support groups in the Auckland area and a variety of resources.
Additional Resources
NHS factsheet on abuse in teenage relationships: bit.ly/nhsrelationships
Get Connected factsheet and resources on gender and sexual identity: bit.ly/getconnectedgender
In Australia, please contact Lifeline or the Kids Helpline (numbers above) if you need to speak to someone about sex and/or relationships.