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Navigating the landscape of mental health support can be overwhelming, especially for young women seeking tailored resources. This guide aims to simplify that journey, offering a curated list of UK-based mental health resources, opportunities for personal and professional growth, and advice on accessing services.
Mental Health Resources
Mind: Provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness, and promote understanding.
Website: mind.org.uk
Contact: 0300 123 3393 Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm
Samaritans: Available 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. They listen without judgment or pressure and offer support for those in distress.
Website: samaritans.org
Contact: 116 123 (Free)
Free 24-hour helpline
YoungMinds: Offers support for young people under 25 struggling with mental health issues, including a crisis messenger service.
Website: youngminds.org.uk
Crisis Messenger for Young People: Text YM to 85258
Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 Mon-Fri from 9.30am to 4pm
The Mix: A support service for young people under 25, offering help with mental health, money, homelessness, finding a job, breakups, and drugs.
Website: themix.org.uk
BEAT: The UK's eating disorder charity, providing information, support, and a directory of services for those affected by eating disorders.
Website: beateatingdisorders.org.uk
You can start with your GP: Your General Practitioner (GP) can be a gateway to accessing mental health services, including referrals to specialists or counselling.
Domestic or Sexual Violence
If you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, you can call the police on 999
National Domestic Abuse Helpline:
Website: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Contact: 0808 2000 247
Freephone 24-hour helpline available 365 days a year
Rape Crisis:
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Contact: 0808 802 9999 - Free helpline, open 24/7 every day
Honour Based Abuse Network Helpline:
Contact: 0800 5999 247
Free helpline, open Monday- Friday 9am-5pm, run by Karma Nirvana
Muslim Women Helpline: National specialist, faith and culturally sensitive helpline and counselling service
Website: www.mwnhelpline.co.uk
Helpline: 0800 999 5786
Text: 07415 206 936
Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm
Galop- National LGBT Domestic Abuse: Our helpline is for LGBT+ people experiencing abuse or violence, such as hate crime, domestic abuse, sexual violence, so-called “conversion therapy” or any other kind of abuse.
Website: www.galop.org.uk
Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Monday to Friday 10:00 - 17:00, Wednesday to Thursday 10:00 - 20:00
Internship, Career, and Mentoring Opportunities
Young Women Trust: Young Women's Trust is a feminist organisation working to achieve economic justice for young women. They offer: Coaching, Help with CV’s and Job Applications, free well-being and employability webinars
Website: www.youngwomenstrust.org
Smart Works: the Smart Works charity provide both interview training and clothing to help low-income women in the U.K get jobs and gain financial independence.
You can refer yourself on their website
Website: smartworks.org.uk
Step Up To Serve: Promotes social action among young people, including opportunities for volunteering that can enhance well-being and employability.
Website: stepuptoserve.org.uk
Prince's Trust: Helps young people aged 11 to 30 get into jobs, education, and training, including support for starting a business.
Website: princes-trust.org.uk
Legal Advice
Rights of Women is a charity that provides free confidential legal advice and information to women on the law in England and Wales with a specific focus on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). They also campaign for access to justice and safety for all women.
Helplines:
Immigration and asylum law advice line: 020 7490 7689
EU settlement scheme advice line: 020 7118 0267
Professionals’ advice line: 020 8138 8028
Sexual Harassment at Work Advice Line: 020 7490 0152
Criminal law advice line: 020 7251 8887
National family law advice line: 020 7251 6577
Website: www.rightsofwomen.org.uk
Family Rights Group:
Website: frg.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 801 0366 Monday to Friday 9.30am to 3pm
Drugs and Alcohol Issues
With You: Offer free, confidential support with alcohol, drugs or mental health from both their local services and online
Website: www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Talk to Frank:
Website: www.talktofrank.com
Helpline: 0300 123 6600 or 82111 (text)
Sex Work
Beyond The Streets: Offer free, confidential, non-judgmental support to currently or previously engaged in sex work, alongside support to access benefits, housing, substance misuse and mental health services.
Website: www.beyondthestreets.org.uk
Confidential Helpline: 0800 133 7870
Monday to Thursday 9:30am – 3:30pm and on Friday from 9:30am – noon.
National Ugly Mugs: Provides access to safety information and justice for sex workers, including casework and police advocacy support.
Website: www.nationaluglymugs.org
Helplines: 0161 629 9861 or 0800 464 7669
Tues to Fri, 10am - 4pm
Terrence Higgins Trust - living with HIV- counselling, helpline and other resources available
Website: www.tht.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 802 1221
Monday to Friday, 10:00 - 18:00, and Saturday to Sunday, 10:00 - 13:00
Homelessness
Shelter: Online resources, 1:1 advice, online chat and legal help for people in housing crises
Website: www.england.shelter.org.uk
Contact: 0808 800 4444
Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm | Closed bank holidays
Crisis: Crisis services are available throughout England, see the website for contact numbers in your area
Website: www.crisis.org.uk
Care Leavers
Coram Voice: Coram Voice will help you if you are in care, leaving care, have or need a social worker. We will get your voice heard, tell you about your rights, give you the support you need through our advocates and work with you to improve the care system.
Website: www.coramvoice.org.uk
Freephone: 0808 800 5792
WhatsApp: +44 (0)7758 670369
If you are aged 16 or over, add us to your contacts and send us a message free with WiFi.
Text: 07758 670369 (Just send a text to this number and ask for someone to call you back)
Monday to Friday 9.30am–6pm.
Catch 22: Catch 22 have a variety of services they are connected to across the country – see website for details
National Youth Advocacy Service: NYAS offers child and family advocacy services, alongside a range of additional support. We offer targeted support services for care-experienced children and young people, adults in vulnerable situations, families and sector professionals across England and Wales.
Website: https://www.nyas.net/get-support
Helpline: 0808 808 1001
Monday to Friday, from 9am to 8pm, and Saturday 10am - 4pm.
Become: National charity for children in care and care leavers.
Website: www.becomecharity.org.uk
Contact: 0808 023 2033
WhatsApp: 0786 003 4982
Open Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm
Seeking Help and Navigating Services
Educate Yourself: Understanding your needs and the types of support available can empower you to seek the right help.
Confidentiality Matters: Remember, services are there to support you, and your privacy and confidentiality should always be respected.
Just Start: Even if you're unsure or feel a little overwhelmed, it's always better to reach out to someone on the other side of the helpline. Even if they can't help you or are not the right support for you, they can advise you where you can seek the right support for you.
This guide is a starting point for young women just like you in the UK seeking support and opportunities for growth. Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and numerous resources are available to support you on your journey. You’ve got this!
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