Crisis
In a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Self Harm
Calm Harm – An an app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm
Papyrus– A national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Take a look at their website for help and advice if you are thinking about suicide, or if you’re worried about someone else. They also have HOPELINE open 24 hours a day. Text HOPE to 88247 or call 0300 102 2470.
Young minds – Helps with advice on managing suicidal feelings
Shout – A 24/7 text service available to anyone in crisis, any time, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and need immediate help. Text SHOUT on 85258.
Buzz Us – Confidential text messaging service available to young people aged 11-18. Call 07520 631168
Childline – Call any time or get in touch online where you can chat confidentially. Call 0800 11 11
Samaritans (18+) – If you need support and someone to listen to your concerns, you can call Samaritans for free, or download their self-help app which helps you find practical ways to cope when going through difficult times. Call 116 123
CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide. They run a free and confidential helpline and web chat, find out more on their website. Call 0800 58 58 58
Mental Health and Emotional
The Go-To – Provides information about mental wellbeing help and support that is available in North Yorkshire for children and young people.
Mindmate – Helps young people in Leeds find help with their mental health and wellbeing. Call 0300 555 0324
Mind – Provide helplines, peer support groups, therapeutic intervention, advocacy, and signposting. Call 0300 102 1234
The Mix – Provide mental health support for children and young people under 25. They have a 1-2-1 chat, support groups, message boards and information on different mental health conditions. You can contact the crisis messenger 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by texting THEMIX to 85258.
Compass Phoenix – Offer one to one or group work to support young people across North Yorkshire (age 9-19/ 25 with SEND) with mild-moderate mental health difficulties. Call 01904 661916.
BEAT – A charity providing a helpline, webchat, peer support groups, fundraisers, and online resources for people who are dealing with eating disorders or disordered eating. This includes eating disorders such as Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) which can often be related to sensory sensitives/differences. Call 0808 801 0677.
Switchboard – Switchboard offer support with mental wellbeing due to your gender identity or sexuality. Switchboard have a web chat and a helpline to support LGBTQ+ people with difficulties they may experience, for example, support and guidance through coming out, help to find an LGBTQ+ friendly therapist, and support and advice for anyone dealing with homophobia or transphobia. Call 0800 0119 100.
Young Minds – Provide support and information about mental health conditions in young people.
Trauma
Young Minds – Provide support and information about mental health conditions in young people.
Beacon House – Provide free information and resources on understanding developmental trauma and how to parent children who may have experienced this.
The UK Trauma Council – Provide support and information about mental health conditions in young people.
Learning Disabilities 
MENCAP – Support individuals who have a learning disability and their family. They have an excellent resource page defining learning disabilities and separating them from associated conditions or differences such as down syndrome or learning difficulties.
Hft – A charity which supports people with learning disabilities in England and Wales. They offer services in supported living, respite care, assistive technology, day opportunities and lots more
Foundation for people with disabilities – A charity which helps improve the lives of people with learning disabilities by providing programmes in leadership and independence, writing reports and guidebooks, signposting, and advising organisations
Neurodivergence
The HDFT Autism Assessment Team webpage has lots of information about autism and links to lots of great resources
The National Autistic Society – Help and support for autistic people in the UK
ADHD UK – Aims to support provide information, contribute to research, raise awareness and advocate for people with ADHD. There are some really useful resources on their website such as support groups, and information on how to seek a diagnosis and where to get support in school or work.
Tourettes Action – The leading support and research charity for those with Tourettes across the UK. They offer advice, information, online support groups, workshops, education for teaching professionals and events.
Foetal Alcohol Syndrome/ FASD – Information about Foetal Alcohol Syndrome for those who have FASD, for those caring for people with FASD, for pregnant women and for anyone wanting to know more about FASD
Specific Learning Disabilities
The Dyslexia Association – A charity providing advice, assessments and information about dyslexia and dyscalculia.
The British Dyslexia Association– An organisation which provide some great resources and information on their website for dyslexia and dyscalculia
The Dyspraxia Foundation– Provide advice for young people, adults and parents/carers of people who have or think they may have dyspraxia.
National Numeracy – Information on dyscalculia and video resources on living with dyscalculia
Mencap’s Learning Disability Helpline provides information and advice:
- Tel: 0808 808 1111
- Email: [email protected]
Promoting Positive Behaviour
Domestic violence intervention project– An organisation which has a young person section called YUVA. They help young people aged 11-18 (up to 25 if they have additional needs) change their behaviour and develop improved awareness of healthy communication and relationships.
Respect – A domestic abuse organisation that works with male victims, perpetrators and children and young people who use violence. Respect offer services and resources to young people and parents.
Barnardo’s have a page on positive parenting and managing behaviour in young children. It also includes examples of reasonable expectations for your children.
Supporting Parents
Whole Brain Child – Dr Dan Siegel has authored/co-authored a wide range of books to support parents such as The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind, Survive Everyday Parenting Struggles and Help Your Family Thrive
Lives in the balance – Help kids to solve the problems that are causing their concerning behaviour without shame, blame or conflict. Based on the work of Dr Ross Greene, author of The Explosive Child.
POSCH – A free service run by volunteers for families with special/additional needs children. POSCH offers a ‘listening ear’ and safe space for families through support groups and parent to parent connections.
Financial and Practical Help and Support
Disability Living Allowance for Children – You may be able to make a claim if your child has a disability, health condition or learning difficulty e.g. dyslexia.
Carer’s Allowance – If you care for someone for more than 35 hours a week, you may be entitled to Carers Allowance.
Sunflower Lanyards – Widely recognised and can be worn to identify hidden disabilities showing that adjustments may be needed
Cinema Card – National cinema card for carers, small cost per year. Autism Friendly Cinema showings in Odeon cinemas
SENDIASS North Yorkshire – Provides information, advice and support for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (0-25 years) and their parents or carers. Young people (16-25 years old) are very welcome to contact them directly for information, advice and support too.
- Email: [email protected]
- Telephone: 01609 536923
Family fund – The largest provider of grants to low income families. They also give grants for sensory toys, computers and family breaks together.
Citizen Advice Bureau – Free confidential impartial advice on benefits, debt, housing, help filling out the DLA form etc
- Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848
Carers’ resource and Carers plus – Offer support and advice for carers on benefits entitlement, DLA, planning for the future and more.
Cerebra – Can help with grants, sensory toys, books, sleep management and more. They can also offer DLA claims.
- Email [email protected]
- 0800 3281159