Resources for: Parents and Carers and Distress

Distress is an emotional response to physical or mental suffering and someone in distress may present with obvious signs such as crying and shouting. However, a person in distress may not show such obvious signs. Everyone will be distressed at some point and it is an entirely normal reaction to anxiety, sorrow or pain.

Here you can find information to help if someone is experiencing distress.

47. DBI No Text

Distress Brief Intervention Service (Young person)

The Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) service provides support quickly to young people who are experiencing distress and feeling overwhelmed emotionally. Referrals are made by your GP or the police if aged 16-24 years (or up to 26 years if you are care experienced), or someone in school or college (from age 14 years). The service will contact you within 24 hours of your referral and will support you for up to 14 days, working with you to address some of the difficulties you may be experiencing now and in the future.

Web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64l1JrM8Tio

Services & somewhere to go Professional referral School Referral Local Free
86. Lifelink No Text

Lifelink

A confidential counselling service accessed through West Dunbartonshire secondary schools, where young people can chat to a counsellor to help manage personal and social issues which may be affecting their life. 

Web: https://www.lifelink.org.uk/

Services & somewhere to go School Referral Local Free
89. Living Life

Living Life

A free phone service run by a team of therapists, offering appointment-based telephone support based on cognitive behavioural therapy for anyone in Scotland over 16 years of age with low mood, mild to moderate depression, or anxiety.

Helpline number: 0800 328 9655

Web: www.breathingspace.scot/living-life/

Helpline Website Online Self referral Telephone National Free
93. Minded No Text

MindEd

MindEd is a free educational resource on children, young people, adults and older people's mental health. Find information for Professionals and Volunteers, for Education and Healthcare staff working in Education Settings, and for Parents and Carers.

Web: www.minded.org.uk/

Website Online National Free
95. Mood Gym

Mood Gym

The Moodgym app is like an interactive self-help book which helps you to learn and practise skills which can help to prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Web: www.moodgym.com.au/

Website Online Self referral International Costs money
108. NHS 24

NHS24

The 111 service provides urgent care triage if you think you need A&E but its not life-threatening, and advice when your GP, pharmacy or dental practice is closed.

Web: www.nhs24.scot/

Helpline Self referral Telephone National Free
109. No Panic

No panic

Provides a youth and adult helpline and services to sufferers and carers of people with panic, anxiety, phobias and obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD). No Panic also offers advice, support, recovery programs and help.

Helpline number: 0300 772 9844

Web: www.nopanic.org.uk

Helpline Online Telephone National Free
110. Not OK

not OK

notOK App® is a free digital panic button to get you immediate support via text, phone call, or GPS location when you’re struggling to reach out. Connect to trusted contacts when you need them most. Just open the app and press the large, red notOK® button.

Web: www.notokapp.com/

App Online Self referral National Free
125. Samaritans2

Samaritans

A 24 hour support service for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.

Web: www.samaritans.org

Helpline Online Self referral Telephone National Free
140. Self Help App For Mind

Self-help App for the Mind (SAM)

A simple app to help you manage anxiety, depression and loneliness, with breathing exercises, an anxiety tracker and distraction feature, which is helpful if you’re feeling panicky.

Web: www.mindgarden-tech.co.uk/

App Online National Free
141. SHOUT

SHOUT Crisis text service

Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Helpline number: 85258 free text support service

Web: www.giveusashout.org/

Helpline Website Online Telephone National Free
146. Stem4

stem4 - supporting teenage mental health

Stem4 promotes positive mental health in teenagers and those who support them. Discover stem4's free guides to manage mental health issues, free supportive apps and mental health videos.

Web: www.stem4.org.uk/

Website Download Online Self referral National Free
147. Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones

Help for people over 16 years old in West Dunbartonshire who are experiencing common mental health difficulties such as depression, anxiety or stress. Stepping Stones also offers a Bereavement and Loss support service.

Phone: 0141 941 2929

Web: www.stepstones.org.uk

Services & somewhere to go Professional referral Self referral Telephone Local Free
New SAMH Logo

Time for You - SAMH support service

Time for You is an online wellbeing support service for anyone experiencing mild to moderate emotional or mental health difficulties aged 16 and over and living in Scotland. Time for You offers access to Wellbeing Coaching and Counselling for anyone experiencing symptoms that have a limited effect on their daily life.

Web: www.samh.org.uk/about-us/our-work/time-for-you?mc_cid=00f4aeddf4&mc_eid=abf485ff65

Website Online Self referral National Free
190. Whole School Approach

Heads Up Mental Health Support

NHS GGC information on mental health conditions, mental health advice, how you can support yourself or the people you care for, the services available to you and the range of interventions.

Web: www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/heads-up-mental-health-support/

Website Online Local Free
Scot Refugee Council

The Scottish Refugee Council

A charity dedicated to supporting people in need of refugee protection.

Helpline number: 0808 1967 274

Web: www.scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk/

Helpline Website Online Telephone National Free
Get Self Help

Get Self Help

This website provides resources for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT).

CBT has been proven to help mental health problems. This website provides CBT self help and therapy resources, including worksheets and information sheets, plus videos and self help mp3s.

Web: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/

Website Download Online National Free
Anger Mood Juice

Anger - a self help guide

 Do you get frustrated and annoyed by the slightest thing?
 Do you find yourself saying hurtful things when someone has annoyed you?
 Have you damaged or thrown things because you were so furious?
 Have you been physically aggressive towards someone?


If the answer to any of these questions is ‘yes’, you may be experiencing problems relating to
anger and you may find this workbook helpful.

Web: https://www.mcgill.ca/counselling/files/counselling/anger_moodjuice_self-help_guide.pdf

Download Online National Free
Scottishconflictresolution

Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution

SCCR is a charity based in Edinburgh, Scotland with expertise in mediation. Their award-winning digital resources and free training and events improve understanding of conflict and emotional needs, to transform relationships and lives. The SCCR focuses on early intervention with young people and their families experiencing difficulties and conflict. 

Web: https://www.scottishconflictresolution.org.uk/

Website Online Self referral National Free
New SAMH Logo

SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health)

Whether you’re living with a mental health problem or supporting someone who is, accessing information about a condition is vital. SAMH provides resources, support and online information to help.

Helpline number: 0344 800 0550

Web: https://www.samh.org.uk/

Helpline Website Online Self referral Telephone National Free
Report Remove Logo

Report Remove

Report Remove is here to help young people under 18 in the UK to confidentially report sexual images and videos of themselves and remove them from the internet.

Web: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/bullying-abuse-safety/online-mobile-safety/report-remove/

Website Online National Free