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‘Is This Ok?’ is a free, anonymous, and confidential service to provide support to young people 13-18 through a chat service.

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Got something you need to talk about? Are you worried that something in your life just doesn't feel right? 'IS THIS OK' is here to help.

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Check out these podcast features interviews with a number of interesting people involved in mental health, including people who have experienced mental health problems, campaigners and mental health experts.

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Welcome to the 'Let's Talk: Mental Health' podcast, where we get together with different people and experts to chat about mental health. We all have mental health, and we can all experience mental health problems. So on this podcast we explore the topics that can affect how we think and feel.

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Our regular podcast features interviews with a number of interesting people involved in mental health, including people who have experienced mental health problems, campaigners and mental health experts.

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Being gay means that you are sexually attracted to members of your own sex. People do not choose their sexuality but can face a lot of turmoil when coming to terms with it - fearing being disowned by their family and faith.

Faith and Sexuality
When gay Muslims 'come out' or their sexuality is disclosed accidentally, their is faith often attacked. Although homosexuality has always existed, including in all Islamic countries, most Muslims will argue that it is not possible to be gay and Muslim because homosexuality is against Islam. Such attitudes ignore the Quran's spirit of mercy and justice. There was more tolerance to homosexuals in Islamic history than there is now because they were not cast out of the folds of Islam. Gay Muslim are diverse in their dress and religiosity. For example some Muslim lesbians wear Western clothes and don't cover their heads, while others wear the hijab, jilbab and even veil their faces. There are those who are more steadfast in their 5 daily prayers than 'straight' Muslims.

Family Reaction to Sexuality
The discrimination faced from Muslim communities can add to the trauma of repercussions from families. Some gay Muslims have been beaten, forced into marriage or disowned. Others will choose to live in turmoil, leading double lives just to please their families. These situations can lead to depression, mental health issues and isolation. It is also never easy for parents to find out that their child is gay or lesbian, especially if their religion tells them homosexuality is wrong.

Talk to Someone
If you need to talk to someone about your sexuality, only confide in someone you can trust. However, you can also contact the MWN Helpline. We do not encourage nor discourage with regards to pursuing one's sexuality as we believe such personal decisions should be taken by individuals themselves. However, we do believe that gay Muslims should not be discriminated against, harassed or victimised. You can therefore call us to talk through your feelings or for advice on how to protect your mental well-being, physical safety and human rights. We can also try and identify other groups that can provide more specialist advice.

Contact an organisation about this issue

MWN Helpline is not responsible for the accuracy of the information provided and listing any organisation does not imply its endorsement.

You can also Find help using our system below

Find national and local organisations

Imaan

Phone:

Email: info@imaan.org.uk

Website: www.imaan.org.uk

Address:

Supports LGBT Muslim people, their families and friends, to address issues of sexual orientation within Islam. It provides a safe space and support network to address issues of common concern through sharing individual experiences and institutional resources.

Safra Project

Phone:

Email: info@safraproject.org

Website: www.safraproject.org

Address:

A resource project working on issues relating to lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender women who identify as Muslim religiously and/or culturally (Muslim LBT women).

Stonewall

Phone: 0800 050 20 20

Email:

Website: www.stonewall.org.uk

Address:

Working for equality and justice for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals.

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Being gay means that you are sexually attracted to members of your own sex. People do not choose their sexuality but can face a lot of turmoil when coming to terms with it - fearing being disowned by their family and faith.

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Making society safer and inclusive for all

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Welcome to House of Rainbow Fellowship, a safe space for the spiritual growth and inclusion for black LGBTQ+ people

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​Welcome to our education page, where you can find various resources and information on Islam, Gender and Sexuality.

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​Welcome to our education page, where you can find various resources and information on Islam, Gender and Sexuality.

Please note that whilst we aim to obtain factual information from various sources, we acknowledge that some people may share different views or may not agree with some of the content on this website. This page is intended to serve as a compilation for those who may benefit from this content!

There are four main sections to this page, click on one of the options below!

Voice of Hidayah

We are committed to bringing visibility to the issues and difficulties faced queer Muslims within the community, one way that we do this is through our blog, known as the Voice of Hidayah.

This blog contains content from knowledgeable scholars, creative pieces made by queer Muslims and their lived experiences and stories. Take a look by clicking on some of the posts below.

Books

Our volunteers and trustees have collaborated to create this list of books covering topics from an individual's lived experience being a queer Muslim (or even a queer person of faith!) to taking a deep dive into how Islam viewed LGBT people in the past.

All of the links shown before are to Amazon and use our affiliate code, so if you do want to purchase them, please consider using one of the links below so we receive a kickback! It helps a lot to continue the work and outreach that we do for queer Muslims!

Additional Resources

This section contains other useful and relevant information which may be worth a read.

Journal Articles

For more information on the various studies and journal articles, we encourage you to take a look at the following page.

Please note, most of these resources require access through an educational institution, such as a university, or paid access, which Hidayah do not currently have.

Resource List

For more information on the organisations working in your area, check out our Resource List!

It contains a list of contact details for various organisations working in the UK and the US helping LGBT+ people. If you come across any mistakes or inaccuracies, please get in touch with a member of the Hidayah team!

Corporate Courses

To further our core mission to promote social justice and education about the LGBT+ Muslim community, Hidayah has created a training course for individuals and companies covering various topics related to Islam and LGBT issues.

Other content

Linked below is some other content which may interest readers, feel free to have a look! If you have any resources that you think others would benefit from, please get in touch using the Contact Us form

Queer Asia Blog series. Available here.

Nasar Meer - a Professor of Sociology at the University of Edinburgh, who has worked across a number of related topics that might be summed up as ways of framing unity and diversity.

Shanon Shah - an Associate Lecturer at the University of Kent and Associate Researcher at LSE, he specialises in Muslim-oriented/-derived movements and his doctoral thesis, in the sociology of religion, was an ethnographic study of the experiences of gay Muslims in Malaysia and Britain.

Richard Phillips - a Professor in Human Geography at the University of Sheffield, his research covered topics from The World after Empire to Sexuality, Space and Power.

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​Welcome to our education page, where you can find various resources and information on Islam, Gender and Sexuality. Please note that whilst we aim to obtain factual information from various sources, we acknowledge that some people may share different views or may not agree with some of the content on this website.

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In our four-part series hosted by Rabia Mirza, we’ll be sharing raw, honest and personal stories from queer Muslims.

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Istame’a is the Arabic word for “Listen” and that’s exactly what the podcast is all about – listening to the stories shared by other queer Muslims. In our four-part series hosted by Rabia Mirza…

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Podcast

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Sayeeda Warsi speaks to Shahmir Sanni about being outed in full public gaze.

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Muslim Pride - Educate yourself - BBC Sounds

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Catch up on your favourite BBC radio show from your favourite DJ right here, whenever you like. Listen without limits with BBC Sounds.

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The UK'S leading LGBTQ Muslim charity

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The internet is a brilliant place to connect with others, to be creative and to discover new things.
Here you will find films, games, quizzes and advice to help you to use the internet safely, responsibly and positively.

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Resources for 11-19s - UK Safer Internet Centre

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Experiencing cyberbullying? Confused about sexting? Worried about a friend online? Take a look at our resources for 11 -19 year olds

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The Wild Mind Project - the nature of creating wellbeing for young people

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Young LGBTQ wellbeing programmes - The Wild Mind Project - the nature of creating wellbeing for young people

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QUEER wellbeing support FREE Emotional & Mental Wellbeing Support For The Young LGBTQ+ Community in Brighton Being a young person who identifies as

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Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who's struggling, we can help.

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YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People

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YoungMinds are a mental health charity for children, young people and their parents, making sure all young people can get the mental health support they need.

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Join the Movement to fight for Freedom, Liberation and Justice by signing up for updates, supporting our work, checking out our resources, following us on social media, or wearing our dope, official gear.

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LGBT Foundation is a national charity delivering advice, support and information services to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) communities.
https://lgbt.foundation/

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LGBT Foundation – A national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

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A national charity with LGBTQ+ health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

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Malala Yousafzai is an activist for female education. Her speech on Covid19 can be found here:

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Malala Yousafzai is an activist for female education. Her speech on Covid19 can be found here:

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Malala delivers moving 2020 commencement address

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Coco Gauff is a 16 year old American tennis sensation! These were her words at a recent Black Lives Matters Rally in the USA

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Coco Gauff is a 16 year old American tennis sensation! These were her words at a recent Black Lives Matters Rally in the USA

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Coco Gauff delivers moving speech at Black Lives Matter rally in her hometown l GMA Digital

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@blklivesmatter

@colorofchange

@naacp

@showingupforracialjustice

@civilrightsorg

@reclaimtheblock

@ethelsclub

@unitedwedream

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Greta Thunberg is an environmental activist, this is her most famous UN speech:

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Greta Thunberg is an environmental activist, this is her most famous UN speech:

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WATCH: Greta Thunberg's full speech to world leaders at UN Climate Action Summit

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Netflix:

Explained: The Racial Wealth Gap

Time: The Kalief Browder Story

When They See Us

13th

Who Killed Malcolm X?

American Son

See You Yesterday

Dear White People

Hulu:

If Beale Street Could Talk

The Hate U Give (based on an extremely powerful book by the same name)

Little Fires Everywhere

General shows and film:

Black Power Mixtape

Clemency

Fruitvale Station

I Am Not Your Negro

Just Mercy

Selma

The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution

Green Book

Hidden Figures

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This app is for you if you are struggling with food, dieting, exercise and body image.

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iPhone Screenshots

Rise Up + Recover is just the app for you if you are struggling with food, dieting, exercise and body image. Based off self-monitoring homework, a cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), we designed a convenient and user-friendly app that has been used millions of time around the world.

At Recovery Warriors, our mission is to create empowering tools that will help YOU succeed!

With the Rise Up + Recover app you can:

* Log your meals, emotions and behaviors from the privacy of your mobile phone
* Export PDF summaries of your Meal Log and Check-In to share with your treatment team
* Set custom reminders to inspire you to keep moving forward
* Rest assured that your personal information is protected behind a pass-code
* Share motivational and inspirational quotes, images and affirmations
* Access a wide range of resources to build a strong recovery warrior mindset
* Find support and professional treatment nearby

Rise Up + Recover is the perfect addition to your professional treatment for an eating disorder including anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), obsessive eating disorder (OED), binge eating disorder (BED) and compulsive eating disorder (CED).

Version 1.4.0

- Added ConnectED Treatment Directory (Find Help nearby!)
- Added the Recovery Warrior Shop

Simple and Effective, I love it.

I've tried lots of recovery apps and this is one of my favourites along with Recovery Record. Lately I've been using this one more since my eating habits have become more "normal" and I've been getting a lot better thanks to Recovery Record for the past few years. But alas, I'm still struggling, so Rise Up has been the best little helper in my journey. It helps me keep in check with my habits and emotions quickly and on the go and reminds me to eat without making me feel triggered. I highly recommend this app especially to people who would like PDF progress of their journey which could be helpful for the self and for clinical meetings.

This app is easy and helpful and I love it

This app is unlike weight loss apps,
Obviously. When I log my meals, I don't have to meticulously find the ingredients to each thing and log all the calories. I'm not guilted or plagued with worries that I'm gaining weight. It doesn't make me log my weight. It gives me positive quotes, has mood charts, coping skills, and more.
For recovering with an eating disorder, this is perfect. You don't even need to be recently struggling. I've stopped my struggle with binging months ago but this is helping me gain more control and positive reaffirmation.
This app is very very simple to use. I love it, and a message to the creators: thank you.

The Best Tool I've Used Hands Down!

I don't typically write reviews, but this app is amazing! It's not completely perfect for my needs, but it is customizable enough to where I can tweak it and add info where it is easily accessible for tracking purposes.

I struggle with depression and anxiety along with severe nerve pain and autoimmune issues. It provides an easy way for me to track what I eat without the pressure of tracking amounts/calories, but link moods, feelings, and symptoms (I've input for myself to check off) for the day.

You can easily export my logs to PDF for your therapist or doctor to review. The UI is clean and simple to use. And the positive messages and reminders that pop up keep you going with the goals you've set for yourself.

I ask that the developers continue to support this app and hope that it remains available. Whether you struggle with an eating disorder or other health related issue, this app is very helpful. Thank you creating this app!

Information

Seller

Recovery Warriors L.L.C.

Compatibility

Requires iOS 7.1 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.

Languages

English, German, Spanish

Infrequent/Mild Alcohol, Tobacco, or Drug Use or References

Copyright

© 2013-2015 Recovery Warriors L.L.C.

Family Sharing

With Family Sharing set up, up to six family members can use this app.

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rise up + recover: an eating disorder monitoring and management tool for anorexia

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‎Rise Up + Recover: An Eating Disorder Monitoring and Management Tool for Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating, and EDNOS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
‎Rise Up + Recover is just the app for you if you are struggling with food, dieting, exercise and body image. Based off self-monitoring homework, a cornerstone of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), we designed a convenient and user-friendly app that has been used millions of time around the world....

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Children's and Young People's Mental Health: The Facts

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Children's and Young People's Mental Health: The Facts

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My Whole Self is a new campaign from Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England. We’re calling on organisations to empower employees to bring their whole self to work. Whether online or in person, bringing your whole self to work is a mindset that is better for wellbeing and better for business.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcyc68d6OAk

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Kindness Matters - Mental Health Foundation - Mental Health Awareness Week 2020

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Answer the questions to find the ingredients for a delicious salad.
Click on the image below to take you to the quiz.
Email Mrs. Oakey for the recipe instructions.

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Meditation has been shown to help people stress less, focus more and even sleep better. Headspace is meditation made simple.

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Treat your family to a delicious lunch! 

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Treat your family to a delicious lunch! 

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Chicken, broccoli & beetroot salad with avocado pesto

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chicken-broccoli-beetroot-salad-avocado-pesto

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Yoga can really help with mental health. Adrienne has many different videos to choose from. Find one that matches your current mood. Why not give it a go?

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WELCOME to Yoga With Adriene! Our mission is to connect as many people as possible through high-quality free yoga videos. We welcome all levels, all bodies, all genders, all souls!
If you’re brand-new to yoga, check out my Yoga For Beginners and Foundations of Yoga series. These are designed to giv…

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Think again! Experiment with different fruits and see what creations you can make! We would love to see your breakfast fruit-imals!

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Eating the right foods can be good for your Mental Health as well as your body.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/food-and-mood/about-food-and-mood/

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Managing medication

Some foods can be dangerous to eat if you're taking certain medications. For example:

If you're taking an MAOI (a kind of antidepressant) you should avoid eating anything which has been fermented, spoiled pickled, smoked, cured, hung, dried or matured. This is because when food is exposed to the air, a substance called tyramine rises to high levels, and the interaction between tyramine and the MAOI can be very dangerous. You may also want to avoid foods and drinks containing caffeine such as chocolate, tea and coffee as these can also contain tyramine.

If you're taking lithium, you will need to be very careful about the amount of salty foods and liquid in your diet. This is because suddenly changing the amount of salt and fluid in your body can affect your lithium level, and if your lithium level becomes too high it can be very dangerous.

If you're taking an anti-anxiety medication such as buspirone you may need to avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit. This is because grapefruit can affect the way that enzymes break down medications, which can cause too much or too little of the drug to be absorbed in to your blood.

Before prescribing you any medication, your doctor should fully explain any possible risks or side effects, so you can make an informed decision. If you are currently taking medication and are unsure or worried about what foods and drinks to avoid, it might help to speak to you GP or ask at your local pharmacy. (See our pages on psychiatric medications for more information.)

For more information how to avoid interactions between food, drink and medication, see the American Food and Drug Administration information on drug and food interactions.

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Managing medication Some foods can be dangerous to eat if you're taking certain medications. For example: If you're taking an MAOI (a kind of antidepressant) you should avoid eating anything which has been fermented, spoiled pickled, smoked, cured, hung, dried or matured.

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Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide.
https://www.samaritans.org/about-samaritans/

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Samaritans is a charity registered in England and Wales (219432) and in Scotland (SC040604) and incorporated in England and Wales as a company limited by guarantee (757372). Samaritans Ireland is a charity registered in the Republic of Ireland (20033668) and incorporated in the Republic of Ireland as a company limited by guarantee (450409).

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World Suicide Prevention Day is observed on September 10 each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides. Various events and activities are held during this occasion to raise awareness that suicide is a major preventable cause of premature death.

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For people who are feeling vulnerable or distressed, having a strong sense of connection is an important part of suicide prevention.  Connection can come in many forms, we can connect with friends and family, or have connections through activities, or with nature and the arts. Explore our well-being board for a range of ideas on how to connect.

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This page has some tips and suggestions for enjoying nature:

grow or pick food

bring nature inside

do activities outdoors

help the environment

connect with animals

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Tell us more

What do you want to tell us about?

Note:

Please don't include personal details like your name or email address. If you do, data protection law means we'll have to delete your comments.

Unfortunately we can't reply to this. If you want a response from us, see our Contact us page.

If you are in crisis right now and want to talk to someone urgently then you could call Samaritans on 116 123 (freephone). Our pages on crisis services have more options.

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Tell us more What do you want to tell us about? Note: Please don't include personal details like your name or email address. If you do, data protection law means we'll have to delete your comments. Unfortunately we can't reply to this. If you want a response from us, see our Contact us page.

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The Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information to help you stay safe. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.

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Stay Alive App - Grassroots Suicide Prevention

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Stay Alive is a suicide prevention app for the UK, packed full of resources, useful information, and tools to help you stay safe or help someone else.

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Get involved with baking as a fantastic way to relieve stress! There's plenty of yummy recipes online.

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Indulge in gooey caramel brownies to really wow your guests!

Ingredients

For the brownies

227g unsalted butter

300g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

1½ cups caster sugar

4 medium eggs

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

1¼ cups plain flour (about 185g)

½ tsp. salt

For the caramel filling

350g caramel toffees, unwrapped

1/3 cup double cream

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F, gas mark 4

2. Grease a 12.5" x 7.5" x 1.25" foil baking tray with butter

3. Combine the butter and chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until completely melted and smooth. (Alternatively, microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring in between, until completely melted)

4. Remove the bowl from the heat. Whisk in the sugar, eggs (one at a time) and vanilla until incorporated

5. Stir in the flour and salt just until combined

6. Spread about half of the brownie batter in the bottom of the prepared tin in an even layer, place the tin on a baking tray

7. Bake for 20 minutes

8. Remove from the oven, maintaining the oven temperature, and let the brownies cool for 20 minutes.

9. Half way through the cooling time make the caramel filling, combine the caramel toffees and cream in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat

10. Heat, stirring frequently, until melted and smooth

11. Immediately spread the caramel mixture over the bottom brownie layer

12. Pour the remaining brownie batter over the caramel layer, taking care to pour and spread it evenly otherwise it will be difficult to spread evenly over the caramel layer.

13. Bake for 20 minutes

14. Transfer the tray to a wire rack and let cool completely before slicing and serving (to speed cooling, chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes)

15. Cut the brownies into whatever size you think you can eat. Store in an airtight container

I use a 12.5" x 7.5" x 1.25" foil traybake tin from Lakeland or Sainsbury. My 2nd bake normally takes about 30 - 35 minutes so test until you are happy. The mix should no longer be liquid but you should have small lumps of moist crumbs on the skewer.

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Indulge in gooey caramel brownies to really wow your guests! Ingredients For the brownies 227g unsalted butter 300g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped 1½ cups caster sugar 4 medium eggs 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 1¼ cups plain flour (about 185g) ½ tsp.

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This section contains a selection of the key statistics on mental health. Want to know how rates of mental ill health differ between men and women or what the stats say about homelessness and mental health? Browse this section to find out.

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Our research into mental health statistics would not be possible without your generous donations. Please consider donating today to enable us to continue to raise awareness about mental health.

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This section contains a selection of the key statistics on mental health. Would you like to know how rates of mental ill-health differ between men and women? Or what about statistics on the costs of diagnosed mental health problems in the UK? Browse this section to find out.

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Click on this link for tools on how to look after your mental health using exercise. Also see strategies on how to overcome fear and axniety.

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Looking after your mental health | Mental Health Foundation

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Get evidence-based advice on protecting and sustaining good mental health, overcoming fear and anxiety, sleeping better and looking after your mental health using exercise and minfulness.

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What is mental health? What are mental health problems? What is good mental health?

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Please listen to interviews and discussions on mental health. Learn more about it and take control! There's lovely podcasts on this website for your wellbeing.

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Welcome to the 'Let's Talk: Mental Health' podcast, where we get together with different people and experts to chat about mental health. We all have mental health, and we can all experience mental health problems. So on this podcast we explore the topics that can affect how we think and feel.

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Our regular podcast features interviews with a number of interesting people involved in mental health, including people who have experienced mental health problems, campaigners and mental health experts.

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Good mental health for all. Dedicated to finding and addressing the sources of mental health problems.

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If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support.

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Shout Textline | Free 24/7 Mental Health Support

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If you are a young person struggling to cope, Shout can provide support. Whatever you are going through, text SHOUT to 85258 for help.

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A free meditation app to help you to learn to meditate, and meditate using a timer.

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Insight Timer - #1 Free Meditation App for Sleep, Relax & More

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The best meditation app with the world’s largest FREE library of more than 190k guided meditations, 17k teachers & the world’s most loved meditation Timer.

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A list of 22 apps that help out with mental health.

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Although we love our phones, many of us find them a source of stress. Scrolling through insta-perfect images can impact on our self-esteem, and constant notifications are overwhelming and tiring.

However, our phones can also be super self-care tools. There are lots of apps out there designed to help us manage our mental health. In a past post, we found 21 apps that help with well-being, and in this post we share 22 more.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for basic app, £3.99 for upgrade

Such optimistic words; reminds you to help yourself rather than just check things off a meaningless list.

Using Balanced is like having a little person in my phone that acknowledges what I'm doing - A little record witnessing and encouraging.

Balanced helps with staying in control, knowing what to do next, becoming more mindful, finding inspiration, and leading a happier, more fulfilling life.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

I 've used booster buddy and I find it quite good for motivating me to do small things to distract me or to improve my mood when I'm feeling low in the morning.

I've been using Booster Buddy for a few weeks and I quite like it, especially that the tasks depend on how you're feeling, so if you're feeling awful it will just be something small like 'put one item of rubbish in the bin'. It makes you feel like you have actually achieved something, however small.

Booster Buddy gives us a virtual animal friend to help manage your mental health. Each day, you check-in with how you're feeling, and then complete a number of daily 'quests'. It can be used to help keep track of appointments and medications, get started on tasks, develop healthy coping skills, follow self-care routines, and socialise.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

Fantastic, I use it regularly... Being able to personalise inhilation/exhalation times makes it good.

Absolutely brilliant, I use this app when I'm having anxiety attacks and it works brilliantly, calms you right down!

Breathe2Relax is a stress management tool. It provides detailed information on the effects of stress on the body, and instructions and practice exercises to help users learn to manage stress using diaphragmatic breathing.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

I find it really useful especially the surf the urge option.

It has a breathing countdown feature that helps you focus on breathing that I use sometimes. Also has features that can distract you.

Calm Harm is designed to help us resist and manage the urge to self-harm, containing four types of activity: distract, comfort, express and release. It stems from ideas involved in Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT).

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for the basic app, £2.99 for premium app

Brilliant. Everything a tracker app needs. Daily reminders, activity edits, simple mood tracking. Helps you figure out what your poor mental health triggers are. You can edit the things you've been doing & there's loads of icons to choose from.

Daylio can help you to understand your habits and factors that might influence your mood. You can keep a private diary selecting your mood and activities you've been doing during the day. You can also add notes if you want to. It will then provide you with statistics and calendars to help you identify your habits.

Available: iOS, Android, Amazon
Cost: Free for basic app, various costs for app additions

I love flow free for distraction. And you can just pick a level to match how well your brain is working.

Flow free is a very relaxed game where you connect matching dots with coloured pipe. It can be used to chill out a little bit, or to distract from scary thoughts.

Available: iOS
Cost: Free

Easy to use and input data and see how you are progressing day by day, with great advice on improving certain areas.

This app allows you to rate ourselves on lifestyle, exercise, nutrition and sleep, which can begin to show you any patterns in things that might influence your mood.

Available: iOS
Cost: Free for basic app, £3.99 or £25.49 to upgrade to pro

I find Hear and Now really good. I'm really busy at work during the day and I get random notifications from it to stop and breathe to help me relax. It helps to reduce my anxiety and stress levels.

Hear and Now is designed to help with stress. It teaches clinically proven deep breathing techniques. You can set reminders to quickly regain focus. It can also provide an overview of your breathing exercise history in order to monitor patterns and improvements.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for basic app, £1.99, £1.99, £2.99 for collection additions

Great little app with a simple easy to use interface. There is a selection of guided meditations to choose from but the app really shines with the simplicity of the timer. It also fosters a sense that there is a community out there meditating with you.

Insight Timer is a meditation app, containing 4500 free guided meditations, 750 meditation music tracks, and 35 meditation playlists. It also has 4300 groups where people can come and discuss topics ranging from humour and compassion to spirituality and support.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

If you are suffering with anxiety, this is a great app to help yourself. As a mental health practitioner I recommend this to my patients and would recommend this for everyone!

MindShift is designed to help you cope with anxiety. It includes strategies for making sleep count, riding out intense emotions, perfectionism, test anxiety, social anxiety, performance anxiety, worry, panic, and conflict.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

It has very nice messages for you to motivate you and help you. Very helpful.

This app is good for keeping track of your moods and provides a clear vision of the pattern of your moods.

Moodfit is a companion to help you achieve your goals. Track your mood, to see what can cause it to lift and drop. Understand how sleep and exercise affect you, practice gratitude, get your zen on, and understand medications and therapy.

Available: iOS
Cost: £3.99

I would highly recommend for checking in with feelings and noting positive achievements.

With Moodnotes, you record how we feel each day and Moodnotes responds with gentle encouragement, poses questions, and shows us patterns. It also highlights possible thought traps we might fall into.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free, with optional donations of £4.99 and £19.99

I found this app at a very low point in my life and it has lifted my mood significantly in a very short space of time. I feel as if I have some control back and can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

MoodTools contains six evidence-based tools to aid against clinical depression and negative moods. It contains information on depression, a depression test, videos, a thought diary, activities, and a safety plan.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for basic app, various costs for app additions

Great experience whether you're a beginner or an expert, there is something for everyone.

Omvana provides meditation tracks for focus, sleep, peace and more. It can be great for relaxing and practising meditation and mindfulness.

Pacifica

Available: iOS, Android, Web
Cost: Free for basic app, various costs for app purchases

I'm a big fan of the Pacifica app. It's the only app I've seen that takes an holistic look at someone's emotional well-being. Not only does it have all the basics to help people with their thinking, it can also be used to record and monitor other important information such as exercise, water intake and sleep. It's useful tool while someone is in treatment and for relapse prevention.

Pacifica is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and meditation. It contains daily tools for managing stress and anxiety alongside a supportive community. The tools include guided self-help paths, mood/health tracking, challenges to help you reach your long-term goals, relaxation techniques and a peer-support community. It allows you to see our progress over time, make connections, and recognise patters we might fall into.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

Panic shield is great for if you want to map your own step ladders of graded exposure, it also has exercises to help you combat the fear of physical signs of anxiety.

Panic Shield can help to train your minds not to be afraid by the sensations you typically associate with panic attacks, and not to fear external situations or activities that you avoid in case they trigger a panic attack. It also contains a paced breathing tool which can help you to calm down when you begin to feel particularly anxious.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for basic app, various costs for app additions

Every morning I wake up and complete the 15 minute brain 'workout' peak create for me and at the end of those 15 minutes. I already feel like I've achieved something positive- especially when I beat my highest scores!

Peak is a brain training app. Each day, you complete a couple of short games to challenge and stretch different areas of your brain, including focus, memory, problem solving, and mental agility. The app shows us how we're improving, and how we compare to other players.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for basic app, various costs for app additions

This is a great little app if you want to keep a digital diary or journal. It' intuitive and easy to use and can be as visual or simple as you want.

Penzu is a place to keep our private thoughts safe and secure. You can journal, customise your journal cover, and add photos.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for basic app, various costs for app additions

Sleep Cycle is great - helps me to understand why I'm feeling tired, and uses data it gathers so you can see what affects your sleep.

I used sleep cycle last night for the first time had the best nights sleep I've had in nearly a week a lot more relaxed, no vivid dreams and I woke up on time in a fairly decent mood.

Sleep Cycle tracks your sleep and wakes you up during the lightest part of your sleep cycle, which can help you to feel better rested. It can also track your sleep during the night which can allow you to see how well you're sleeping, and where any problems might lie.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free

What a great app, long overdue, if you are feeling in that dark place this app may just help you to feel able to choose life and find reasons for living.

Amazing app for help and advice for those struggling with suicidal thoughts of advice if you're worried about someone.

Stay Alive is designed to support both people with thoughts of suicide and to people concerned about someone else. It has quick access to UK national crisis support helplines. You can use it to create a mini safety plan, and it contains a LifeBox for photos reminding you of your reasons to stay alive. It also contains strategies for keeping safe, information of helping a person thinking about suicide, suicide myth-busting, research-based reasons for living, suicide bereavement resources, and links to online support services and to other helpful apps.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free for basic app, various costs for app additions

I love this game - it makes me feel relaxed when I play it. I love all the different colours you can get.

ThisIsSand is a relaxing app which allows us to make sandscapes. It's good for chilling out and being a little creative in really simple way.

Available: iOS, Android
Cost: Free (can donate £0.99, £1.99, or £3.99)

What's Up? Is really the only mental health app I use, it's helpful in many situations and I honestly cannot recommend it enough! It is divided into four sections: - Help Right Now - Coping Strategies - Information - Personal Overall, I really find this app so helpful when in stressful, highly emotionally charged situations and also generally just for reference or information or to write notes and keep track of habits. I find the grounding techniques section most helpful.

What's Up? uses Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT) methods to help us to cope with depression, anxiety, anger and stress.

A Final Note on Apps

While these apps can help us help ourselves, no app is a replacement for medical help. If we're struggling, getting support from our GP or mental health team should always be our first priority.
Sharing is caring: please share this post to help others, you never know who might need it.

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Although we love our phones, many of us find them a source of stress. Scrolling through insta-perfect images can impact on our self-esteem, and constant notifications are overwhelming and tiring. However, our phones can also be super self-care tools. There are lots of apps out there designed to help us manage our mental health.

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Please read if you want to find out more about online sexual harassment.

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The term online sexual harassment covers a range of unwanted sexual behaviours that occur online. These could happen on any online platform, such as social media, gaming or messaging apps, and could include content such as photos, videos, posts, webpages, messages or fake profiles.

This type of behaviour can be used to harass or bully individuals or groups of people in a sexualised way, and can be shared publicly or privately. For example, gossip about someone's sexual orientation may be posted publicly online, or someone may be privately messaged with threats about their nude images being shared.

Whilst online sexual harassment can happen between adults and children, this hot topic focuses on harassment taking place between young people.

If you are concerned about sexual harassment taking place between an adult and a child online, report this to CEOP.

Childnet is currently working on a project to raise awareness about online sexual harassment, and to encourage more young people to report it.

FAQs:

What type of behaviours does online sexual harassment include? Open or Close

Any type of behaviour that uses sexual content to harass or bully someone online could be classed as online sexual harassment. Even if the harassment was intended as a joke, or was a misunderstanding, it is the experience of the victim that defines whether it is sexual harassment or not.

"Someone has made a fake account of my friend, and have been commenting mean things on other people's photos." Girl, 13

"I have experienced lots of homophobic comments after coming out, and have heard other people use them as an insult." Gender unknown, age unknown

"There was a girl in a photo cuddling a different boy to who she was going out with and it's got sent around 2 different schools and everyone was screenshotting it and posted it to their story's saying "slut" or "slag" or "cheater" or "she can't keep her hands off boys lol" Girl, 13 years

How can it make people feel? Open or Close

Sexual harassment that happens online can make a person feel any of the following:

Threatened or scared

Exploited or coerced

That their dignity is violated

Humiliated or degraded

Shamed or judged

Upset

Sexualised

Discriminated against because of their gender or sexual orientation

Feel guilty or that they are to blame

Online sexual harassment can affect different people in different ways. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' way to feel. People who have been a target of online sexual harassment may also be worried about the threat of content resurfacing online in the future.

As well people who experience online sexual harassment, anyone who witnesses it happening to someone else online may also be affected.

Is online sexual harassment always illegal? Open or Close

No. Not all online sexual harassment will be illegal or a crime but is important to remember that this is unwanted sexual behaviour. Whether the incident is illegal or not, any unwanted behaviour that affects someone else in a negative way is never acceptable.

When does online sexual harassment break the law? Open or Close

Some instances of online sexual harassment may break the law.

Impersonating other people online, sending threatening messages and re-sharing other people's nude images are some types of behaviours that can break the law.

If the police became involved, they would need to know all the details of the incident in order to decide how to proceed with the case.

Do nude images break the law? Open or Close

If any incident involves someone under the age of 18 creating an explicit photo or video of themselves or someone else under 18 then they have potentially created an indecent image of a child. By sending this content on to another person, they have distributed an indecent image of a child. By receiving content of this kind from another young person, they are then in possession of an indecent image of a child.

The National Police Chiefs' Council of England, Wales and Northern Ireland have stated that young people engaging in this type of image sharing should not face prosecution as first time offenders, but the situation will be investigated to ensure that the young people involved are not at risk. Repeat offenders and more extreme cases are may have a higher chance of legal consequences, but the police have publicly stated they want to avoid prosecution unless absolutely necessary.

It happened...what should I do next? Open or Close

1. Talk to someone: it can be hard asking for help, but in a situation like this it is really important. Family members, school staff and your friends all want to make sure you are safe. In order for them to help you they need to know the whole story. Let them know what has happened, what you are worried about and what you need help with.

2. Use the reporting tools: these tools are there to help you. Sexual harassment is never acceptable - online or offline. In order to deal with it, online platforms such as social media and gaming networks need to know where it is and why you think it should be removed. If the content breaks terms and conditions, it should be taken down.

3. Will I get in trouble with the police? As outlined above, the laws around online behaviour are there to protect people. Any incident that is reported to police should be treated on a case by case basis, and should take into account the whole story leading up to the incident.

Who can help me?

Parents and carers: in order for them to support you they need to know something has happened. Let them know how you are feeling - you may feel worried or embarrassed at first, but all they want to do is help you.

Teacher or trusted adult at school

The local police: if you think a law has been broken, for example, if the incident involves nude images of someone under 18.

Remember, you can always speak in confidence to Childline or call them on 0800 11 11

If you think an adult has been involved in the harassment, especially with any coercion or blackmail, report this to CEOP.

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This type of behaviour can be used to harass or bully individuals or groups of people in a sexualised way, and can be shared publicly or privately. For example, gossip about someone's sexual orientation may be posted publicly online, or someone may be privately messaged with threats about their nude images being shared.

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A free online wellbeing community offering safe, anonymous support.

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Kooth is your online mental wellbeing community. Access free, safe and anonymous

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Safeline is a specialised charity working to prevent sexual abuse* and to support those affected in their recovery. This includes working with people whose mental health issues (manifesting for example as self-harming) suggest that they may be vulnerable to abuse.

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Safeline - Believe in you - Surviving sexual abuse & rape

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1 in 20 children and young people in the UK have been sexually abused. At Safeline we know that our services can make a difference and we have over 20 years' experience of working with young survivors so they can heal from their experiences. We also actively work to prevent rape and sexual abuse from happening as well as providing counselling and support for children and families affected by abuse.

Last year we worked with hundreds of students in schools, youth clubs and other settings on creative projects that would help them to gain new skills and build confidence as well as staying safe from bullying and exploitation. We train teachers, youth leaders and other professionals in child protection and safeguarding and enable them to understand and work with children and young people who have experienced abuse.

Counselling and Creative Therapies

Our trained professional counsellors and therapists provide counselling for children aged 11 upwards and creative therapies such as Dramatherapy and Art Therapy for children aged 5 upwards. We can also offer counselling and support groups for parents, siblings or other family members who have been effected by the abuse. We are involved with Early Help child protection intervention plans and CAMHS mental health referrals. Find out more about accessing our counselling services.

Education and Prevention Services

Our prevention team work with groups of young people to explore subjects such as bullying, racism, internet safety, sexual exploitation and sexual well-being, gang culture, drugs and alcohol abuse, crime, and the benefits of positive relationships. Key messages are delivered using an engaging mix of creative arts, sports achievement and keeping safe workshops.

Each student is awarded an ASDAN qualification at the end of the programme. Contact our prevention team to find out how they can develop a project right for your setting.

ChISVA Service (Children's Independent Sexual Violence Advisor)

Our Qualified ChISVA provides independent emotional and practical support and assistance to children and young people who have experienced sexual violence and abuse at any time in their lives. They work with children and their families to make sure they have the best possible tailored advice, information, access to services and support needed and can act as an advocate when dealing with other agencies. They can also provide support through the Criminal Justice system when this is needed. People who have used our ISVA service say things like 'I couldn't believe all the things they did to help me' - find out more on the ISVA page.

Training

Our training team deliver tailor made sessions locally and nationally. Groups of professionals who have used our training services include teachers, youth workers, health workers, child and adolescent mental health teams, and the police. We have a range of training sessions on offer, including child protection and safeguarding, understanding and working with survivors of sexual abuse, self-harm, internet safetly and more. Contact our training team to find out more.
Help for those who are concerned about their behaviour towards a child
If you are worried you might be abusing someone you can get help from STOP IT NOW.
Counselling & Therapy "ISVA Service "Support groups "Training "

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1 in 20 children and young people in the UK have been sexually abused. At Safeline we know that our services can make a difference and we have over 20 years' experience of working with young survivors so they can heal from their experiences.

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What should I do if I experience sexually abusive behaviour including harassment?

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What should I do if I experience sexually abusive behaviour including harassment?

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If at immediate risk call 999

Please speak to a member of staff. If you don’t feel comfortable speaking with your form tutor or Head of Year, speak to a member of the Safeguarding team:

Noor Ilyas, Lead Safeguarding Officer

Office next to Rm 5 in Staff Corridor

Or the school’s Designated Safeguarding Leaders

Mr Davis (Headteacher)

Mr Bates (Deputy Headteacher)

Ms Bolton (Assistant Headteacher)

Or email safeguarding@lampton.org.uk

You may also wish to call the NSPCC helpline on 0800 136 663

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Information and support for LGBT communities and their allies. Contact Stonewall's Information Service FREEPHONE 0800 0502020 Lines are open 9:30 - 4:30 Monday to Friday.

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Information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities and their allies on issues including asylum, coming out, criminal law, discrimination, hate crime, parenting rights, and LGBT partnership rights.

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An equality and diversity charity providing health, community and youth services in England.

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We're an equality and diversity charity providing health, community and youth services in England

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Kooth's Mini Activities Brochure 836.51 kB * 01.08.2021