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Thinking of suicide?

Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? For confidential suicide prevention advice contact HOPELINE247.

My whole way of thinking has changed. I feel positive about my future and the people around me. I'm now looking forward to the future and helping others just like me!

Thank you so much for the incredible support PAPYRUS and HOPELINE247 has given me. You helped me in that moment and it kept me alive.

I intend to continue to fundraise for and promote PAPYRUS. I am so proud and humbled to be involved with a wonderful charity, and to have received the support that I have.

Having been personally bereaved by suicide I understand the importance and need for our charity. I am surrounded by others who are as passionate as I am about saving lives.

* All feedback is provided by people who contact PAPYRUS. All feedback has full consent of the user and the user remains fully anonymous. Some feedback may have been adapted to keep the users anonymity.

Our latest news

Stay up to date with PAPYRUS; our news section is regularly updated with helpful advice and guidance, as well as information about our upcoming events and campaigns. If you have any questions or queries please get in touch.

Our upcoming events

Please see below some of our upcoming and exciting events including fundraisers and charity events we will be attending. For more information please get in touch.

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Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide

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PAPYRUS UK is a charity for the prevention of young suicide (under 35) in the UK | Call PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 Now

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We do not tolerate behaviours that are threatening or abusive in any way. While we recognise that people who exhibit these behaviours have a right to the support they need, it's not possible for us to provide a safe and supportive space when met with threatening or abusive behaviours.

We act to prevent further contacts from callers who behave in these ways. Please see our privacy policy for more information.
Limiting or withdrawing access to our services
From time to time we may have to use the information collected about you when you contact us to make decisions about limiting access to our services. If we believe you are abusing our service or are abusive towards volunteers, we will use our system to block your calls or messages from getting through.

If you can't get through by phone, you will hear a message that explains how to contact us to discuss our decision to block you from our system.

If we take the decision to limit your access to our systems, we will make every effort to inform you as to the reason why we have restricted your access. We may ask you to give us a contact number so that a member of our Caller Support Team can call you to talk about your support needs.

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If you're going through a tough time, contact us free. We won't judge you or tell you what to do. We are here to listen so you don't have to face it alone.

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Get Help

We are open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. You can contact us by phone, email, SMS text and instant messaging. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.

If you have contacted us outside of these hours or need immediate assistance, the following services are available 24/7:

NHS Direct on 0845 4647

Samaritans on 116123

Childline on 08001111

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We are open 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. You can contact us by phone, email, SMS text and instant messaging. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.

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Download now

The For Me app is available on iOS but you'll need an iPhone 5 and iOS 9.0 or later to download it. You need 73.7MB of memory free. If you don't have space, try getting rid of some old apps you don't use anymore.

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The For Me app is available on iOS but you'll need an iPhone 5 and iOS 9.0 or later to download it. You need 73.7MB of memory free. If you don't have space, try getting rid of some old apps you don't use anymore.

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However you feel, we’re here for you. Contact us on the phone or online. Or try getting support from other young people on our message boards or by writing to Sam.

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0808 8010800
Text-  0786 007 7333
info@livefearfreehelpline.wales
EMERGENCY but can't talk- dial 999 then 55

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How to relax | 8 relaxation tips for your mental health

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Essential support for under 25s

Don't stress it. Beat it.

Being stressed out sucks because stress turns your brain to goo, stopping you making decisions and piling up until it feels like your head's going to explode (*pop*).

But what if you could turn your screen into a stress-relief tool? Simply hatch a Stresshead below and relax as you chase your very own pet peeve around until you catch it and smash it. And while you're doing that, you can get great advice - helping you deal with all kinds of life stress, from exam pressure to money problems.

Rough-up your Stressheads on the move - download it for iOS and Android now.

(Use headphones, full screen and turn your phone to landscape to best experience Stressheads.)

Stressheads was co-created by a group of young volunteers, The Mix and Neon Tribe. Our thanks to Capital One for supporting the creation of this app.

The Mix. Registered charity number: 1048995

Welcome to The Mix, a support service for young people. There are loads of ways you can get support from us, including our articles, videos, helpline, counselling, forums, apps and more. To find which service suits your needs use the drop down menu below.

Log in

Welcome to The Mix, offering essential support for under 25s.

Log in to submit your own content on our platform Your Voices.

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Welcome to The Mix, the online guide to life for young people in the UK.

Your Voices is a community-focused section of The Mix where you can share stories about your experiences on a specific issue. Upload your own videos, images, blog posts, and playlists to Your Voices and share them with your friends.

Don't have a Your Voices account? Sign up here to submit your own content.

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Don't stress it. Beat it. Being stressed out sucks because stress turns your brain to goo, stopping you making decisions and piling up until it feels like your head's going to explode (*pop*). But what if you could turn your screen into a stress-relief tool? Simply hatch a Stresshead below and relax as you chase...

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The Own It app comes with a special keyboard. This can be used like any other keyboard, but it also gives you helpful tips and friendly advice as you write!

Track how you feel and improve your wellbeing.

Packed full of gifs and emojis to help express yourself!

Lots of fun quizzes, videos and articles to enjoy.

Best of all, the Own It keyboard and app is personal to you. Everything you type is kept completely private, and never leaves the Own It app on your phone.

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The Own It app comes with a special keyboard. This can be used like any other keyboard, but it also gives you helpful tips and friendly advice as you write! Track how you feel and improve your wellbeing. Packed full of gifs and emojis to help express yourself!

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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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MindShift is a free app designed to help teens and young adults cope with anxiety. It can help you change how you think about anxiety. Rather than trying to avoid anxiety, you can make an important shift and face it. Lists symptoms of anxiety.

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How to cope with anxiety | Olivia Remes | TEDxUHasselt

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I saw this quote when I was looking for postive mesages to keep me motivated this week and felt like it was woth sharing 💛 As young people we need to realise that we can do whatever we sety our minds to, and even if that dosen't work out, there is always something else to try 💛 never give up!

#mentalhealth #awareness #mindfulness #support #inspire #empowerment #youthvoice #exciting #inclusionmatters #inclusive #diversity #love #happy #platffom4yp #blog #photography #blogger #inspiration #inspirationalquotes

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Platfform 4YP - Resources, articles and news for young people, by young people.

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I saw this quote when I was looking for postive mesages to keep me motivated this week and felt like it was woth sharing 💛 As young people we need to realise that we can do whatever we sety our minds to, and even if that dosen't work out, there is always something else to try 💛 never give up!

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What is anxiety? Anxiety is a normal, human feeling of fear or panic. How anxiety affects us: Physically - Symptoms Emotionally - Fear Cognitive - The way we think Behave - Avoidance Behaviour If we look up the word anxiety in the dictionary, we find the explanation: "An uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about ...

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Zayn Malik says his eating disorder and anxiety are now behind him and are "demons of the past" thanks to more time spent relaxing at home.
The singer, 24, has spoken before about his mental health problems but has now confessed it was a "control thing".

He launched a solo career after leaving One Direction more than a year ago, but had to cancel live performances because of low self-confidence.

He says time with his mum in Bradford has also really helped him.

In an interview with the Sunday Times' Style Magazine, he spoke about how food was one of the only areas of his life he had autonomy over.

"Every area of my life was so regimented and controlled it was the one area where I could say, 'No, I'm not eating that.'

"Once I got over the control, the eating just came back into place, super naturally.

"I came back to the UK and spent some time with my mum and got some TLC, and she cooked me food and I got back in touch, mentally, with a lot of the things I'd lost."

Last June he pulled out of his first European solo show at Wembley Stadium, saying he was suffering the worst anxiety of his career.

https://twitter.com/zaynmalik/status/741728944643182592

He said it was during his 1D days that his issues were at their worst.

"I now have no problem with anxiety. It was something I was dealing with in the band."

And he said it has helped break down barriers and stigmas which often stop someone speaking to other people about their mental health.

"People saw strength in that, and they didn't seem to expect it from a guy, but they expect it from a female, which to me is crazy.

"People are often afraid to admit difficulties, but I don't believe that there should be a struggle with anything that's the truth."

Zayn says his girlfriend Gigi Hadid has been a source of stability to him for the last year and a half.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BKeZXWEgMhh/

Zayn was previously engaged to Little Mix's Perrie Edwards.
Find us on Instagram at BBCNewsbeat and follow us on Snapchat, search for bbc_newsbeat

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Zayn Malik beats his anxiety and eating disorder thanks to relaxing at home

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Zayn Malik says his eating disorder and anxiety are now behind him and are "demons of the past" thanks to more time spent relaxing at home. The singer, 24, has spoken before about his mental health problems but has now confessed it was a "control thing".

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Unlock hundreds of mood-boosting meditations, relaxing sleep exercises, focus music, and more with our biggest offer of the year.

It's the healthiest, happiest deal you'll find this Black Friday, and it won't last long.

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Meditation and Sleep Made Simple - Headspace

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Live a healthier, happier, more well-rested life in just a few minutes a day with the Headspace app.

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If you're having problems with sleeping, you're not alone. Most of us do at some point, and for lots of different reasons.

Anxiety and worries

Whether you're at primary school, a teenager or beyond, you may find yourself waking up in the night, or having difficulty getting to sleep in the first place.

You may be anxious or worried - about being alone, the dark, or imaginary scary monsters and ghosts. You might feel you want someone there with you as drop off to sleep or if you wake in the night.

Worries or anxieties can also be about:

friendships or bullying

school work

family relationships

divorce or separation

changes in routine such as a new school or moving house

Nightmares and bad dreams

Dreams help us process what is going on in our lives, including any fears and worries. These may manifest themselves as nightmares and are usually nothing to worry about. It helps to talk about bad dreams (or even draw them) to identify what may be causing them. Causes of nightmares could be as simple as something scary you saw in a film to more serious things such as bullying or someone hurting you.

Night terrors

These are more upsetting for parents or carers, as the person seems to be wide awake and terrified of something, but is asleep, and usually doesn't remember them. They may reflect worries about something stressful going on at the moment, or they may not. Night terrors are a phase that often passes quite quickly.

Wetting the bed

Bedwetting can cause young people to wake up in the night. This might have a physical cause or be linked to worries and anxiety. Talk to your GP who can advise you about getting help

Altered sleep problems

If you tend to push boundaries and stay up late watching TV, gaming or staring at your phone or tablet screen, this may alter your sleep patterns.

It's not uncommon for teenagers to reverse their sleeping patterns, staying awake late into the night and then feeling sleepy during the day.

This can interfere with school work and home life, and cause stress with parents. Have some screen-free wind-down time (reading a real book is ideal) before going to bed at a reasonable time each night.

Get help

Chat to your GP if your sleep problems continue for a long time, things you try at home are not helping, or if you are worried about an emotional or physical problem. Severe sleep problems can be a sign of depression. Young people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may also have problems with sleep.

Our bloggers and Activists share their tips for dealing with sleep problems.

"Rather than looking at a phone until you're tired, relax by reading a book, writing a journal entry or listening to music."

"Put a soft blanket on top of your mattress as this can help you relax. You could try and wrap yourself up in the duvet as this can help with sensory issues."

"Things that help me are, listening to relaxing music, trying to stick to a time to go to bed and get up, smells you associate with calmness, limiting screen exposure and a notebook to jot down any worries."

"Give yourself time to wind down before bed. Try to do something relaxing or boring so that you'll feel tired."

"If like me you're on your phone right up until you sleep, it's a good idea to download a blue light filter."

Laura's advice: What to do if you're struggling to sleep

We've all experienced that annoying feeling - you've had a busy day and all you want to do is go to sleep, but there seems to be a constant flow of thoughts swirling around in your brain that makes this simple task almost impossible. During my struggle with mental health, I tried to overcome this problem by establishing a routine with the hope of improving my sleep.

What seems to keep me awake (most of the time) is thinking about the long to-do list that I have to complete the next day. I always make sure that before I go to sleep, I write down a plan for the next day to allow my brain to switch off while trying to get to sleep.

When I was struggling with my mental health, I also used an app which helped me to meditate and clear my mind before going to sleep. I understand that meditation isn't for everyone, so renaming it as 'you time' might be more suitable for you.

Even if you're not struggling with your mental health, getting a restful night's sleep is key to living a healthy life.
To continue reading Laura's tips visit 'What to do if you're struggling to sleep.'
For more advice on dealing with sleep problems, have a look at our blogs:

Our Activists and other young people share their experience of dealing with sleep problems:

It's finding what works best for you. Definitely implement some sort of routine to wind-down before bed. You could try yoga, meditation, different breathing exercises or a hot bath.

If you experience anxious thoughts when you're trying to sleep, remind yourself that there will be plenty of time to think about those things in the daytime.

Don't be scared to reach out. Insomnia is heavy and overwhelming. Not sleeping can affect your everyday life, even simple tasks. Wanting help, whether its therapy, medication, or anything else, is perfectly okay.

For parents

If you are a parent or carer of a child or young person who has sleep problems, we can support you through our Parents Helpline. We are here to listen to you, and give you free, confidential advice and information.

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If you're having problems with sleeping, you're not alone. Most of us do at some point, and for lots of different reasons. Whether you're at primary school, a teenager or beyond, you may find yourself waking up in the night, or having difficulty getting to sleep in the first place.

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The test is based on the AUDIT tool, developed by the World Health Organisation and widely used internationally to screen for alcohol harm:

Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monteiro, M. G. (2001). The alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT): Guidelines for use in primary care. World Health Organization, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse.

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The test is based on the AUDIT tool, developed by the World Health Organisation and widely used internationally to screen for alcohol harm: Babor, T. F., Higgins-Biddle, J. C., Saunders, J. B., & Monteiro, M. G. (2001). The alcohol use disorders identification test (AUDIT): Guidelines for use in primary care.

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UK low risk drinking guidelines: the Chief Medical Officers’ advice | Drinkaware

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How many units can I drink without risking my health? Find out what the UK’s leading alcohol experts recommend.

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Depression Understood: What It Is Like To Have Depression

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Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson | 'I fell into depression' | What It Takes

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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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Learning to cope with depression - The Mix

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Josiah Hartley experienced depression when he was 19 years old. He has written a book called The Boy Between with his mum, Amanda Prowse, which is about his experience and recovery. Here, he shares his story about learning to understand and cope with his depression.

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Calm Harm is a free app to help teenagers manage the urge to self-harm. Available on Google Play & App Store.

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Here are some ways to avoid self harming, cope with difficult times or just have some fun!

Why not give some of them a go!

Grow a plant from seeds

Watch a film

Sing very loud

Make something with origami

Contact family and friends

Try aromatherapy

Write a letter

Go camping

Have a bubble bath

Invite a friend round/out for a drink

Bake a cake

Go fishing

Plan a holiday

Chat to friends online

Play solitaire

Go shopping

Buy yourself a special present

Eat your favourite food

Volunteer in a homeless shelter

Read a book

Do something crafty - knitting etc

Make a hot drink

Feed the ducks/squirrels/birds

Go ice skating

Look at photographs

Go to a museum

Dance

Pop bubble wrap

Clean/ tidy up

Cuddle a teddy

Visit a hospice/old people's home

Trace your family tree

Go to an exercise class

Build a card tower

Decorate your home

Write a poem/story

Do some gardening

Write a diary

Go swimming

Paint or draw a picture

Play with bubbles

Stroke or play with a pet

Go jogging

Learn to play a musical instrument

Ride a bike

Make and fly a paper aeroplane

Go for a walk/ride/drive

Make contact with an old friend

Volunteer at an animal shelter

Listen to music

Enrol in a part time college course

Light a candle

Go horse riding

Plan your perfect house

Play a game

Cook a nice meal

Write a Xmas/Birthday list

Visit a zoo/city farm/farm park

Get a massage

Plan a special evening for a friend

Go to the cinema

Join a gym

Play golf

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Here are some ways to avoid self harming, cope with difficult times or just have some fun! Why not give some of them a go!

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Self-Harm and Self-Care: Tips on How To Cope

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Why do young people self-harm? And how can you get treatment for self-harm without being judged? Get self-harm information and support from The Mix.

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Find out how eating becomes a problem and what you can do if you're affected.

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https://padlet.com/CardiffYouthService/pr6oifh66upk2po5

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Body image is how we think and feel about ourselves physically. Sometimes, we worry about how we look or what our friends think about our body. If you're struggling with body image, here's some advice that can help you.

Guide Menu for Body image

Guide contents (jump to section)

What is body image?

Body image is how we think and feel about ourselves physically, and how we believe others see us.

When we talk about body image, there are lots of ways we can think about our body and the way we look. You might find that there are times when you like your body, or parts of your body, and times when you struggle with how you look.

The world is full of a spectrum of shapes and sizes. And we should all be represented in the media because unless we see this, it's almost like it doesn't exist.

Jada Sezer, YoungMinds ambassador

How can body image affect my mental health?

It is completely normal to feel insecure about your body, and the majority of us will experience this at some point in our lives.

Elsie

Body dysmorphic disorder is when you constantly worry about flaws in your appearance, focus on specific areas of your body and compare yourself a lot to others.

Sometimes when you're struggling with your body image, you might change your eating habits as this can make you feel like you are in more control of how you look. This can be things like changing what you eat, how much and how often you are eating. If you are finding that your eating habits or relationship with food is taking over your life, you might be struggling with an eating problem.

We all worry about how we look at times during our lives and that's completely normal. If you are experiencing any of the above, know that there are people who can help you get through this. Things can get better.

Show/hide caption

Artwork credit: @alyserurianidesign. The artwork depicts a note taped to a purple background, the note reads: 'It's okay if you don't love your body let's work towards acceptance'. The words 'love', 'body' and 'acceptance' are in purple bubble writing and in the middle of the note is a pink love heart.

What to do if you're worried about how you look

It's important to remember that there isn't a single type of beauty - everyone sees it differently. And there simply isn't a right or a wrong way to look. But if you're struggling, here are some things you can do:

Our Activists share their experiences

If you feel unable to cope, or particularly worried about one part of your body, talk to your GP about how you're feeling. They can listen, tell you about local services and support groups, or they may suggest specific treatment for the way you're feeling.

Growing up, I was bullied a lot. I always stood out from the crowd and I hated that element about myself because I thought that if no one could accept and love me for who I am, then I couldn't either.

I hated the way I looked. I hated everything about myself, and because of this, I know exactly what it's like to hate the body you were born in. And this was the darkest time of my life.

My journey to loving my body

Samantha

Body positivity

Body positivity is a movement to accept all bodies no matter what type, shape or size. It promotes seeing different bodies on things like social media to encourage us to accept our body and the way we look. If you are struggling with your body image, body positivity can help you feel better about yourself. By thinking positively about how you look, you can feel more comfortable and confident.

Changing the way we think about our body and how we look can take time. It can feel difficult on some days more than others. That's okay. Accepting your body is a process. Our Activists share how a positive body image can help you feel better about yourself:

Show/hide caption

Artwork credit: @teabag.cartoon. The artwork depicts text at the top of the image which reads: 'we need to learn to respect every body'. Below the text is an alien next to different humans of different shapes, heights and sizes. A couple of them are waving and others are holding hands.

How you can support a friend struggling with body image

Your body is enough, and you are enough, always.

Laura

Get help now

If you're struggling with how you feel about the way you look, you're not alone. Here are some services that can really help.

You might also find this helpful

More tips, advice and real stories on what to do if you're struggling with your body image.

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Body image is how we think and feel about ourselves physically. Sometimes, we worry about how we look or what our friends think about our body. If you're struggling with body image, here's some advice that can help you. Guide Menu for Body image Guide contents (jump to section) What is body image?

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Getting Ready Project/Prosiect Paratoi-    www.childreninwales.org.uk        gettingready@vfcc.org.uk

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Use our search tool below to find organisations who can support you in your local area.

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We can run workshops for young people on any of the topic areas covered in our resources.

In the one-to-one workshops we are able to go into more depth on an issue, providing guidance based on the individual's needs.

For more information contact gettingready@childreninwales.org.uk