Free mental health resources for teens

Advice on counselling services + more

In 2022, 18% of children aged 7 to 16 and 22% of young people aged 17 to 24 had a probable mental disorder. While that’s not the majority, it’s still too many in luna’s eyes. 

Lots of parents have shared with us that although they do their best, sometimes supporting their child with their mental health can be a lot or that their advice is falling on “deaf” ears, and that it’s hard to know where to recommend their child turn to for additional support. 

So, with this in mind, luna wanted to offer an overview of the free mental health resources and counselling services we’d recommend. We’ll provide a summary of what they offer, so you or your child can get in touch should it become necessary. Please know that there’s no shame in getting support, and there’s lots these organisations can do to help.

Childline

Childline provides confidential support for young people on a wide range of issues, including mental health. Trained counsellors are available to talk 24/7. They offer a safe space for young people to discuss their worries, from bullying and abuse to mental health struggles – making sure that they never feel alone.

To contact them, call 0800 1111 or visit the Childline website.

Shout

Shout offers 24/7 support for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Young people can text for help and receive immediate assistance from trained volunteers. They provide confidential support via text, helping young people manage moments of crisis and find ways to cope.

To contact them, text "SHOUT" to 85258 or visit the Shout website.

NSPCC

NSPCC provides support and counselling services for young people facing abuse and mental health issues. They offer various resources to help young people cope and recover. They work to protect children and young people from abuse, offering counselling, support, and guides to help them feel safe and supported.

To contact them, call 0808 800 5000 or visit the NSPCC website.

General Practitioner (GP)

GPs are trained medical doctors who can offer initial mental health assessments and refer young people to specialised services such as talking therapy on the NHS or the local child and adolescent mental health service in more complex cases. A GP can provide professional medical advice, help diffuse the situation, and signpost you to the necessary health and allied health professionals who will be able to help.

To contact them, reach out to your local GP practice.

Mind

Mind provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They also offer resources specifically designed for young people, including counselling services, crisis helplines, and online resources to help young people manage their mental health.

To contact them, call 0300 123 3393 or visit the Mind website.

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

CALM is dedicated to preventing suicide and promoting good mental health among young people. They offer a helpline, webchat, and a variety of resources aimed at reducing the stigma around mental health and providing practical support.

To contact them, call 0800 58 58 58 or visit the CALM website.

Hub of Hope

Hub of Hope is a mental health database bringing together national and local mental health services. They allow young people to find the nearest mental health support available by entering their postcode.

To contact them, visit the Hub of Hope website.

The Mix

The Mix provides support and information for under-25s on a wide range of issues, including mental health. The Mix offers a free, confidential helpline, online chat, and a comprehensive website with articles, forums, and advice.

To contact them, call 0808 808 4994 or visit The Mix website.

luna

Our app, luna, has dedicated advice on mental health to help young people manage their wellbeing, as well as a tracker to help them log how they’re feeling and learn more about regulating their moods and cycles.

Whilst luna isn’t a crisis service like some of the other options provided in this article, it is a tool that you can arm your child with as a preventative measure the moment they get a smartphone – like a big sister in their pocket, there to guide them through all the negativity found on social media and in forums. All content on luna is easy to understand – we check this regularly with over 250+ teen advisors – and is verified by a team of doctors and safeguarding experts. Plus, with the premium version of luna, which is the price of a coffee every month, teens can access unlimited content and ask the doctors and safeguarding experts as many anonymous questions as they want – rather than turning to "Dr. Google" or social media to find potentially harmful advice.

Hopefully this guide has helped you if you are looking to support your child with their mental health. Please know that we speak to parents every day who don’t have all the answers and so need to turn to organisations for extra support – you aren’t alone in this.