External Support
Mental Health
If you are worried about the mental health of a young person, or yourself, please use the list below to find help.
Emergency Services
If a life is at risk or urgent medical help is needed, call 999.
For less urgent help and advice, call 111.
If you need to attend your local Urgent or Emergency Care department, this web page helps you to identify the best place to go for help: Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust - Urgent and Emergency Care
CAMHS
For people under 18 (or their representative). If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can telephone 03300 245321 (Monday – Friday, 8 am – 5 pm) or 0300 555 5000 (out of hours). You can also find more information on their website: Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support. Please note that this is a listening service and does not offer advice or intervention.
Opening times: 24/7
Call them on 116123, visit their website: Samaritans or email jo@samaritans.org
Childline
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem, big or small.
Opening times: 24/7
Call: 0800 11 11 or visit their website: ChildLine
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed) to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
They can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
They host online message boards where you can share your experiences, have fun and get support from other young people in similar situations.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds Textline offers free, 24/7 text messaging support wherever you are in the UK. If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, text YM to 85258.
More information about other YoungMinds help and services (also for parents/carers) is here: YoungMinds
The Mix
Under 25s can contact The Mix for free by phone, text, email or via webchat. Use their phone counselling service, or get more information on support services you might need, for all areas of life.
Call them on 0808 808 4994 (1 pm – 11 pm daily), text THEMIX to 85258, or visit their website: The Mix
Papyrus HopeLine
Confidential, crisis support for suicidal young people.
For help and suicide prevention advice, call 0800 068 4141 (9 am to midnight), send a text message to 88247, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Visit the Papyrus website for help and advice resources: Papyrus help and advice resources, including their app library and BSL support.
Kooth
Free, safe and anonymous 24/7 online support for young people. Visit the website: Kooth
The Moorings
The Moorings @ Devon offers mental health support to anyone aged 18+ in the Devon area. Emotional, social and practical support if in crisis or feel you are heading toward a crisis situation.
Open:
Monday-Friday: 6 - 10.30 pm
Saturday-Sunday: 1.30 - 10.30 pm
Call 07483 991848 or email devontorquay.mhm@nhs.net
Address: South Devon & Torbay Mental Health Centre, Torbay Hospital, Lowes Bridge, TQ2 7AA (what3words: ///sorry.loudness.pulp)
Website: The Mooring | DPT
Outside of opening hours, their Devon helpline offers 24 hour emotional and practical support. Anyone aged 18 and over can call 0800 470 0317 to speak to a member of the team. Support is also available through their confidential webchat by visiting mhm.org.uk.
Their 24 hour First Response Service can be contacted by calling 111 and selecting the 'mental health' option. Specially trained staff will be available to discuss urgent needs and assess the best way to support. This number can also be contacted if a person is worried about someone else's emotional state.
Mind
Information and support for mental health concerns: Mind
The following services are aimed more towards parents/carers or other adults, either for support with a young person, for themselves or for another adult.
YoungMinds Parent Resources – helpful resources and advice from professionals for parents, on how to support young people. Visit their website or call them on 0808 802 5544.
Action for Children ‘Parent Talk’ – find answers to parenting questions in online advice articles, talk to a parenting coach through their online live chat, and discover fun activities for children and young people.
Shout – free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text SHOUT to 85258, or visit their website www.giveusashout.org to find out more.
Relate – the UK’s largest provider of relationship support. Helping people strengthen their relationships through one-off conversations, family counselling and/or mediation, relationship counselling, and children and young people’s counselling.
Barnardos ‘Support Hub’ – resources, tools and practical advice for parents, to help manage the wellbeing of themselves and their family.
Family Lives – providing targeted early intervention and crisis support for parents and families. Visit their website www.familylives.org.uk or call them on 0808 800 2222.
Devon Children and Families Partnership – providing support for children and families in Devon, and helpful resources.
TALKWORKS – free, confidential, NHS talking therapy, for 18+ year olds in Devon. Visit their website www.talkworks.dpt.nhs.uk or call them on 0300 555 3344.
Mind – free information and support for mental health concerns: www.mind.org.uk
NHS – online advice for any physical or mental wellbeing issue.
Find information and support for your general or physical health: https://www.nhs.uk/
Find information and support for your mental health: Mental health - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
LGBTQ+
Intercom Trust – a lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans+ charity working across the South West, providing support, helpful information, advocacy, counselling and support groups. Visit their website www.intercomtrust.org.uk, or call their confidential helpline on 0800 612 3010.
Proud2be – a social enterprise that supports all LGBTQ+ people in Devon and beyond. Young people and adults can access online socials, and 1-2-1 practical and emotional support. Visit their website: www.proud2be.org.uk, call 0333 772 1187*, or email hello@proud2be.org.uk
*Due to remote working, this is a voice message service only. Please leave a message and someone will get back to you within 3 working days. If your query is urgent please send an email.
Bereavement
Pete’s Dragons – helping people living through the suicide of a loved one. Visit their website www.petesdragons.org.uk or call 01395 277 780 (Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm).
Children and Families in Grief – practical, emotional and creative support for children and families in South Devon following bereavement. Visit their website www.childrenandfamiliesingrief.co.uk or call 01803 393917.
Jeremiah’s Journey – free professional therapeutic support for children, young people and their parents/carers when they are anticipating or have experienced the death of a loved one. Visit their website: www.jeremiahsjourney.org.uk, call 01752 424348 (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10 am – 12 pm) or email info@jeremiahsjourney.org.uk.
Winstons Wish - Winston’s Wish is a charity that helps children, teenagers and young adults (up to the age of 25) find their feet when their worlds are turned upside down by grief. Visit the website: www.winstonswish.org for more details including an online chat facility. Call 08088 020 021, 8 am to 8 pm weekdays (excluding Bank Holidays) to speak with a Bereavement Support Worker, or email ask@winstonswish.org. For urgent support, text WW to 85258.
Domestic Abuse
If you need emergency help now for you or someone you know who is in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. Silent calls will work if it isn’t safe to speak – use the Silent Solution system by calling 999 and pressing 55 when prompted.
You can also ‘Ask for ANI’ (pronounced ‘Annie’) in pharmacies displaying the logo. They will offer you a safe space, provide a phone and ask if you need support from the police or other domestic abuse services.
Torbay Domestic Abuse Service (TDAS) - practical, non-judgemental support, advice and protection for all victims of domestic abuse. Visit their website for more information or to complete an enquiry form: www.sanctuary-supported-living.co.uk/support-services/domestic-abuse/torbay-domestic-abuse-service-tdas-torbay or call 0800 916 1474.
SafeLives – domestic abuse advice and crisis links: safelives.org.uk
National Domestic Abuse Helpline – free, confidential 24/7 helpline, or online live chat support. Call 0808 2000 247 or visit their website: National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Sexual Assault
Devon Rape Crisis – confidential, professional support to survivors of rape, sexual assault and childhood sexual abuse in Devon. Visit their website www.devonrapecrisis.org.uk, call their anonymous helpline 01392 204 174 or email support@devonrapecrisis.org.uk.
National Rape Crisis Freephone Helpline – offers confidential emotional support, information and referral details. Call 0808 802 9999 (12 – 2 pm and 7 – 9.30 pm daily).
Eating Disorder Guidance
Beat – national helpline and online support for people with eating disorders. Visit their website www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk, call 0808 801 0677 or email help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk.
Self Harm
Calm Harm – a free app that helps to manage or resist the urge to self-harm. Download the app fromj this website: www.calmharm.co.uk
Sleep
Teen Sleep Hub - advice on how to sleep better, tips on tweaking your routine and help to understand the science behind your sleep patterns. Visit the website: teensleephub.org.uk/
Online safety
CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection) is part of the National Crime Agency. Their website has lots of information to help better protect children online. Visit their website: www.ceopeducation.co.uk/parents/
Anxiety
Clear fear - an app to help reduce the physical responses to threat as well as changing thoughts and behaviours and releasing emotions. Visit this website to learn more about and download the app: www.clearfear.co.uk
Drug and Alcohol Services
Y-Smart – support and advice for young people, parents and families relating to drugs and alcohol. Visit the website: www.y-smart.org.uk, call 01392 385637 or email y-smart@devon.gov.uk.
Together Drug and Alcohol Service – support for people who wish to address their drug and alcohol use and for their family and friends. Visit their website: www.edp.org.uk, call 0800 233 5444 or email info@edp.org.uk
Counselling
Counselling directory - A resource hub with information and guidance for young people struggling with their mental well-being to find a qualified and insured counsellor. Visit their website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk