Inside My Head/Young Minds

This script offers a choice of information:

1. Support groups for young people with mental health problems, or
2. Support groups for parents and carers supporting young people.

1. Information for young people worried about mental health or well-being

It’s normal to feel stressed, depressed or anxious sometimes and many people experience mental health problems during their lives. This may be caused by a particular event, from physiological causes or seemingly for no reason at all. If you are having trouble coping, it’s really important that you speak to someone about what you’re going through. Can you think of a family member, friend or friendly school teacher you are comfortable talking to? Your GP can also offer help including appropriate medication or referrals to counselling and other help.

If you would like to speak to someone in confidence or find out how to get help for a specific problem, the organisations whose details follow will be able to help you. Some can put you in touch with people who have had similar experiences to you, as it is often helpful to speak to someone who knows just what you’re going through.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness requiring medical treatment and social support. The earlier schizophrenia is treated, the more effective the treatment can be.

The mental health charity, Mind, offers information and support on mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, phobias, self-harm and more. Mind produce publications, run local support groups and offer telephone help through the Mind Infoline. Call the Infoline on 08457 660 163 (Mondays to Fridays 9.15am-5.15pm).

If you are feeling depressed, you can get support and information from The Depression Alliance. They offer publications, self-help groups and other projects. For a free information pack write in (enclosing a stamped-addressed envelope if possible) to The Depression Alliance, 35 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB or e-mail them on information@depressionalliance.org. They have a website you can visit at www.depressionalliance.org.uk.

Young Minds offers information and support to young people and their parents on a range of mental health issues. They have some helpful booklets especially for young people on subjects such as self-injury, depression, sexual abuse, bullying and eating disorders. You can find these leaflets and other helpful information on their website at www.youngminds.org.uk. Or write to them for free copies with a stamped self-addressed envelope stating the title of the publication you require at Young Minds, 102-108 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5SA

Anyone affected by self-harm can phone the Self-harm Alliance’s helpline on 01242 578820 (Wednesdays to Sundays 7pm-8pm). There is an answer machine at all other times and call backs can be made if you want. You can also visit their website at www.selfharmalliance.org or e-mail them on selfharmalliance@aol.com.

You can also find useful information and resources on self-harm at www.selfinjury.freeserve.co.uk.

If you are experiencing problems with eating, help is available from the Eating Disorders Association. They offer information, a helpline and support groups on all aspects of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. There is a special Youthline for young people 18 and under on 0845 634 7650 (Mondays to Fridays 4pm-6.30pm). The adult Helpline is on 0845 634 1414 (Mondays to Fridays 8.30am-8.30pm). They have a website at www.edauk.com and a page specifically for young people at www.edauk.com/young_home.htm.

Get Connected is a freephone helpline finding young people the best help, whatever the problem. Phone them on 0808 808 4994 (any day 1pm-11pm).

You’ll find lots of useful information and help for young people on The Site at www.thesite.org. There are articles, discussion boards, factsheets and helplines on feeling suicidal, depression, anxiety and stress, eating problems, obsessive compulsive disorder, phobias, self-harm and more.

The Channel 4 Health House website has lots of information, plus the opportunity to send a confidential question in the 'just ask ' section. Log on to www.channel4.com/health/mind. You can also find information about the programme and help relating to specific programmes at www.channel4.com/health/microsites/I/inside_head/index.html.

Lots of people experience all sorts of mental health problems at all stage of their lives, and there’s all sorts of help available to support you through it. Please don’t be afraid to ask.

2: Information for parents or carers with concerns about a young person’s mental health

It’s common for young people, especially when going through adolescence, to have changes in moods and behaviour. This does not necessarily mean that they have psychiatric problems. Try to spend time talking with your child in a context in which you both feel comfortable, and take them seriously without judging them or getting angry or upset. It may be helpful for you to talk to the family’s GP, or to one of the organisation’s whose details follow. They will be able to help you decide whether professional help is needed and discuss with you the different options available, including therapy, medication and other forms of help.

YoungMinds runs a Parents' Information Service for any adult with concerns about the mental health of a child. You can call it on 0800 018 2138 (Mondays and Fridays 10am-1pm, and Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 1pm-4pm). There’s lots of helpful information on their website at www.youngminds.org.uk.

There are a number of useful free leaflets and factsheets produced by the Royal College of Psychiatrists aimed at young people and adults. A series of factsheets called Mental Health and Growing Up covers issues such as severe mental illness in young people, the child and adolescent mental health team, and further information about other child and adolescent mental health problems.

The Help is at Hand series of leaflets cover issues such a schizophrenia, depression, eating disorders, anxiety and phobias, and bereavement. There is also a leaflet especially for parents of teenagers called Surviving Adolescence. To obtain single copies, please send a stamped addressed envelope to Help is at Hand, The Royal College of Psychiatrists, 17 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PG. You can download all leaflets and factsheets from their website at www.rcpsych.ac.uk/info/index.htm.

If you are supporting someone with suicidal feelings, you can get helpful information from PAPYRUS, an organisation committed to the prevention of young suicide. Phone them on 01706 214449 (office hours). They have a website at www.papyrus-uk.org and you can e-mail them at admin@papyrus-uk.org.

Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness requiring medical treatment and social support. The earlier schizophrenia is treated, the more effective the treatment can be.

The mental health charity, Mind, offers information and support on mental health issues including schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, phobias, self-harm and more. Mind produce publications, run local support groups and offer telephone help through the Mind Infoline. You can call you Infoline on 08457 660 163 (Mondays to Fridays 9.15am-5.15pm).

The Depression Alliance offers help to anyone who is feeling depressed as well as those are supporting them. For a free information pack write in (enclosing a stamped addressed envelope if possible) to The Depression Alliance, 35 Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JB or e-mail them on information@depressionalliance.org. They have a website you can visit at www.depressionalliance.org.uk.

The Eating Disorders Association offers information, a helpline and support groups on all aspects of eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Adults wanting help, or caring from someone with an eating disorder can phone 0845 634 1414 (Mondays to Fridays 8.30am-8.30pm) or visit their website at www.edauk.com

You may be concerned about how these issues are affecting yourself and other family members. Parentline Plus is a charity which offers support to anyone in a parenting role. Their helpline is on 0808 800 2222 (any day 24 hours) or textphone for those with hearing or speech impairments on 0800 783 6783 (office hours). They have a website at www.parentlineplus.org.uk.

The Channel 4 Health House website has lots of information, plus the opportunity to send a confidential question in the 'just ask ' section. Log on to www.channel4.com/health/mind. You can also find information about the programme and help relating to specific programmes at www.channel4.com/health/microsites/I/inside_head/index.html.

Other websites you can visit are:

The Mental Health Foundation run a variety of projects with children, young people and those who care for them. You can find details on their website at www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

Saneline is a mental health charity which you can e-mail on sane@saneline.org or visit their website at www.sane.org.uk.

TheInstitute of Family Therapy provides a range of services for families, couples and other relationship groups. You can visit their website at www.instituteoffamilytherapy.org.uk.

This message has been prepared for Channel 4 by Broadcasting Support Services.