Valuable contacts and Apps for 11-18 year olds
With the English-speaking community in mind, I have created the below list.
Many are based in the UK, and UK calling charges will apply. Consider using Skype or alternative cheap calling services or Wi-Fi-based texting services.
If you feel overwhelmed and hopeless, please know you are not alone.
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Ring Papyrus HOPELINEUK (https://www.papyrus-uk.org/) on +44 800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org or Text - +44 7860 039967 offers information and support for young people, parents or carers experiencing suicidal thoughts or finding it hard to cope.
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Download the HOPE by CAMH app (17+ years), which provides support and help when you feel sad. Please note the suicide safety plan is intended to be created by a healthcare professional.
If you feel like you may attempt suicide or you have seriously hurt yourself, you can:
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Call 112 (Portugal) and ask for an ambulance
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Tell an adult you trust and ask them to call 112 (Portugal)
Helplines Portugal
Vozes Amigas de Esperança (https://www.voades.pt/ ) Tel: +351 222 030 707
Offers free, compassionate and confidential support over the phone and online chat.
Linha de Apoio à Criança (SOS-Criança) (https://iacrianca.pt/en/intervention/sos-crianca) Tel: + 351 116 111 Offers support and protection for children and youth.
Voz de Apoio (https://vozdeapoio.pt/) Tel : +351 25 50 60 70
Offers free and confidential support and information by phone.
Telefone da Amizade (https://www.telefone-amizade.pt/site/) Tel: +351 22 832 35 35
Offers Support in personal crisis and suicidal thoughts
SOS Estudante (http://sosestudante.pt/) Tel: +351 915246060
Offers free, compassionate and confidential support over the phone.
Serviço de Informação a Vítimas de Violência Doméstica Portugal (https://www.cig.gov.pt/area-portal-da-violencia/portal-violencia-domestica/apoio-vitimas-violencia-domestica/) Tel: +351 800 202 148
Offers free, anonymous and confidential support to victims of domestic violence
Portuguese Association for Victim Support (APAV) (https://apav.pt/apav_v3/index.php/pt/) Tel: +351 116 006 Offers support for victims of crime.
Mental Health websites and support for young people and carers
Childline - childline.org.uk
Information, advice, and online chatting for young people on the following topics
Bullying, abuse, safety, you and your body, your feelings, Friends, relationships and sex, home and families and school, college and work.
Local Minds - mind.org.uk
Information on mental health problems, medication and therapies based in the UK.
The Mix - themix.org.uk
Information for under 25s on topics like mental health, sex and relationships, identity, drink and drugs. Confidential support on +44 808 808 4994, Crisis messenger text line, Discussion board and Webchat
NHS Every Mind Matters - nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/youth-mental-health
Information and advice on mental health and wellbeing for young people. Includes videos about dealing with change, social media and sleep.
YoungMinds - youngminds.org.uk
Mental health support for young people, parents and carers. Includes information about mental health problems and medication.
Specialised websites and support for young people and carers
Anxiety UK - anxietyuk.org.uk
Advice, support and information for people who experience anxiety.
Ring +44 3444 775 774 or text +44 7537 416 905
No Panic - https://nopanic.org.uk/youth-hub/
Provides support to young people experiencing panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a 6-week Youth Mentoring Scheme online or by phone. Ring +44 330 606 1174
OCD Youth - https://ocdyouth.org/support-info/
Information and resources for young people with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It provides an email helpline, support group, online network, and discussion group.
FRANK - talktofrank.com
Information on drugs and their effects. Confidential support ring +44 300 123 6600, Email or web chat
Beat - beateatingdisorders.co.uk
Helpline, Webchat and online support groups for people with eating problems, like anorexia and bulimia. Ring +44 808 801 0677.
The OLLIE Foundation
Help and advice for young people experiencing suicidal feelings and carers of anyone worried about another young person.
Self-Injury Support - selfinjurysupport.org.uk
Supports women and girls who self-harm or have experienced trauma and abuse. Offers information and self-help tools online for anyone to use. Ring +44 808 800 8088, TEXT +44 7537 432444 (text line) or Email: tessmail@selfinjurysupport.org.uk.
Horizon Plan - https://www.youthmentalhealthfoundation.org/onlinecourse
Information and online courses for carers of children who self-harm.
Life-signs - https://www.lifesigns.org.uk
Information for carers and young people who self-harm.
Voice Collective - voicecollective.co.uk
Information and support for carers and young people under 25 who hear voices, see visions or experience other sensory issues or beliefs.
Apps
Calm harm - https://calmharm.co.uk/#about
A free app to manage urges to self-harm
Stay Alive - https://www.stayalive.app/
A free suicide prevention rapp based in the UK, packed full of helpful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.
Headspace App - https://www.headspace.com/about-us?origin=navigation
Provide mindfulness tools for everyday life, including meditations, sleep podcasts, mindful movement and focus exercises.
Apart Of Me - https://www.apartofme.app/
Apart of Me is a mobile gaming app developed to provide children with strength and resilience when someone is dying or has died.