Mental illness is something many people find hard to talk about.

Young people tell us:

• Sometimes it can feel like we don't have any control over what we think or how we feel.
• My depression stems from family problems I was having aged 16, but all teenagers go through this, don’t they? ….. why do I find it so hard to cope?
• I have become obsessed with my studies; I have always been a perfectionist and a very high achiever so I saw no harm in pushing myself that little bit extra. My friends say I am almost torturing myself so I do well!
• Every time I wake up I feel anxious, I am bullied and racial abused at school. I don’t want to get out of bed in the morning.
• I really want to look like all the other girls but my mates say I am obsessed with food, and going to the gym, I think I am out of control.

What can you do:

Call in to one of YC Hertfordshire's Access Points where we can give you information and support you to cope with your feelings and worries.

Join a YC Hertfordshire youth project where you can make friends, build confidence and self-esteem, discuss issues of concern to young people, take part in sports, drama, dance, music, workshops and outdoor activities in a safe environment. Learn about life and others in an informal way.

Speak to a YC Hertfordshire personal adviser at school or college.

Other support

Hertfordshire counselling services

Kooth.com Children and young people in Hertfordshire can now get free online emotional and mental health support using this website. If you are aged between 10 and 25 and registered with a Hertfordshire GP surgery, you can sign up, choose an avatar (an online character) to represent you anonymously and have an online chat with a counsellor or therapist.

Visit Healthy Young Minds in Herts for information about emotional health and well-being support available to young people in Hertfordshire.

Youth Talk is a confidential counselling service based in St Albans

MindinMidHerts supports individuals who are suffering or who have suffered from mental and emotional distress.

Telephone helplines

Samaritans are someone to talk to 24/7, 365 days a year call 116 123

Childline is a confidential service for young people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything - no problem is too big or too small. Call 0800 1111.

CALM – for men aged 15+ 0800 585 858

If a friend or family member has passed away

Sobs – Survivors of bereavement from suicide – 0300111 5065

Winston's Wish – The UK’s childhood bereavement charity – supporting bereaved children. Call: 08452 030405

The compassionate friends – 0800 282 986

Cruse – 0844 477 9400

Feeling suicidal

Papyrus Are you a young person thinking about suicide, or concerned about a young person? Contact Papyrus. Their helpline is called HOPELine UK. Call: 0800 068 4141, Mon-Fri: 10am-5pm & 7pm-10pm, weekends: 2pm-5pm. Papyrus is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide in the UK. 

Stay Alive...click to download a great app to help you Stay Alive

The OLLIE Foundation (One Life Lost is Enough) is a registered charity funding suicide prevention skills training for any individual or community that wants it, especially those interacting with young people, or young people themselves. 

Other useful links

• Supportline.org
• Getconnected.org.uk Has information on and support for a huge range of common issues such as depression and eating disorders.
• Mind.org.uk MIND has an online IM service and helpline including for those who need urgent help.
• Mencap St Albans Mencap is an organisation for those with learning disabilities
• Videos for young people on NHS website A collection of videos about different mental health conditions and the help and support available, plus advice on coping with life events and how lifestyle can impact mental health.
• Young Minds
• Stem4
• GamCare
• Teen Weightwise (healthy eating)