23rd September, 2020
Hi, my name is Annette and I am a Clinical Lead at Capstone Foster Care.
I have put together a list of useful websites and apps which offer guidance and support in troubling or tough situations. I find these websites and apps very helpful and I wanted to share them with you to help you on your fostering journey.
View the list below:
MIND - www.mind.org.uk
The national Mind charity website has a lot of detailed information about mental health and wellbeing. The information varies from descriptions of different mental health conditions to more anecdotal stories about everyday people and how they cope with their mental health. It aims to help everyone to learn and understand all aspects of mental health.
YOUNG MINDS - www.youngminds.org.uk
This is a UK based charity which focuses of improving lives of young people through mental health support. The website is geared up for young people and contains information of different signs/symptoms young people could experiences, alongside guides and advice on how to manage difficulties such as bullying, exam-stress, grief, eating problems and self-harm. There is also parental support section in the website as well as medication information for Young people with Mental health difficulties.
Phone: 0808 802 5544 (parents helpline)/ 8258 (Crisis messaging service via text).
THE MIX - www.themix.org.uk
A website for under 25’s they have information about a variety of topics that impact on young people. Their mental health section contains informative articles and discussions about topics such as ‘What to expect from counselling’ and ‘social media makes me feel bad about my body’. They also offer a 1 to 1 professional chat service, crisis messaging and free online counselling services for young people aged 10-18 or free telephone counselling to those 25 and under.
Phone: 0808 808 4994 / text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258 (crisis messaging service)
CHILDLINE - www.childline.org.uk
A website with useful information and advice about topics such as bullying, friendships, relationships, homelife etc. The site has a ‘toolbox’ section that gives different resources for behaviour and mental health. This site is accessible for children with hearing impairments.
Phone: 08001111 (Young people can talk about anything that is worrying them)
HEALTHY YOUNG MINDS - www.healthyyoungmindspennine.nhs.uk
This is the NHS children’s mental health service (formally known as CAMHS). It contains information about their services and also advice for self help and where to find help locally. There are also different regional websites that you should be able to locate through this link.
SAMARITIANS - www.samaritans.org
The website contains a small amount of information about how to have difficult conversations and signs you may not be coping. The website is aimed at providing 1:1 support via phone/email/messaging
Email: jo@samaritans.org, send a letter: Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING FK8 2SA, or in person by finding a branch @ www.samaritans.org/branches
Papyrus - www.papyrus-uk.org
A national charity dedicated to preventing young suicide (under the age of 35). The website contains help and advice for people thinking about suicide, and those who are concerned that someone else may be suicidal. It also has a resources page containing safety plans, coping strategies, distraction techniques and recom-mended apps.
Phone: 0800 068 4141 / 07860 039 967 or Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Kooth.com - www.kooth.com
Free, safe and anonymous online counselling and support for young people. Mon-Fri 12pm-10pm, Sat-Sun 6pm-10pm. Sign up anonymously, all that is required is a post code and log-in information.
Useful Apps:
Calm Harm - to support those who feel the urge to self - harm
Stay Alive - Suicide prevention app, helping users stay safe
DistrACT - Quick and discreet access to information and advice around self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
Blueice - Helping young people manage emotions and reducing the urge to self-harm.
MindShift - to support teens and young people manage anxiety
Silvercloud - 8 week course to help manage stress/anxiety/depression
Thrive - Games that help track your mood and teach you methods to gain control of stress and anxiety symptoms (16+)
Catch It - A mood-recording app. Great to recognise/understand triggers
Moodtrack - Another mood-recording app using graphs/visual.
Daylio - Mood-recording app with diary function that requires no typing/writing
BBC Own it - App designed to help children stay safe and positive online
Feeling Good - Positive mindset: audio tracks to help relax your body and mind and build confidence
Headspace - Mindfulness app
Smiling Mind - Meditation/breathing exercises app
Chill Panda - Encourages use of breathing techniques to worry less
BeatPanic - Overcome panic attacks wherever you are
eQuoo - Emotional Fitness game- adventure games that support you to increase your emotional fitness
MeeTwo - A forum for teenagers wanting to discuss issues affecting their lives
Sleepio - An online sleep improvement programme, clinically proven to help you fall asleep faster
Sleepsation - Connect with a team of sleep experts to help you fall asleep or stay asleep through the night
I hope you have found this list helpful, if you have any websites or apps that would like to recommend please let us know and we can add them to the list. You can contact the team at: communication@capstonefostercare.co.uk.
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