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.
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a free, confidential phoneline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed.
Helpline number: 0800 83 85 87
Web: https://breathingspace.scot/
Anna Freud Centre
Anna Freud Centre is a UK charity focused on improving the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people, and families. Free resources are available to download for under 5s, children and young people, families, and professionals.
The Anna Freud Crisis Messenger text service is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope. Text AFC to 85258.
Helpline number: Text AFC to 85258
Web: www.annafreud.org/
Brave
BRAVE Online is a free, fun programme that helps kids and teens (ages 3–17) learn how to manage worries and feel less anxious. You go through 10 easy online sessions with cool activities that teach you how to relax, think positively, and handle tricky feelings. Plus, there’s friendly support from a therapist by email to help you along the way! And there’s help for parents too.
Web: www.brave-online.com/
Distress Brief Intervention Service (Young person)
The Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) Service in West Dunbartonshire offers quick support to young people aged 14–24 (or up to 26 if care experienced) who are in distress. If you're struggling with issues like anxiety, low mood, self-harm, panic attacks, or low self-esteem, your GP or someone at your school or college can refer you.
You’ll be contacted within 24 hours and supported for up to 14 days by a friendly practitioner who will help you manage your current challenges and feel more in control.
Web: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64l1JrM8Tio
Happify
Happify is an app with fun games, quizzes, and mindfulness tasks to help young people (11 to 19) feel better, reduce stress, and boost their mood. It lets you pick tracks that match what you’re going through, like worry, confidence, or sleep, and works at your own pace. The free version includes lots you can do, though some extra features cost money.
Web: www.happify.com/
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/
Living Life
A free, confidential phone service for people in Scotland aged 16+ who need support with low mood, depression or anxiety. It offers guided self-help and CBT-based therapy sessions with trained professionals.
Helpline number: 0800 328 9655
Web: www.breathingspace.scot/living-life/
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/
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/
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/
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
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/
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
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/
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/
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/
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
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
Heads Up Mental Health Support
NHS GGC page that gives reliable information and help for people in Greater Glasgow and Clyde who are dealing with mental health challenges. It explains conditions, support options, and treatment paths, and includes materials in British Sign Language. The site shows how to connect with local NHS teams, find help in a crisis, and access both professional services and self-help tools.
Web: www.nhsggc.scot/your-health/heads-up-mental-health-support/
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/
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/
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
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/
Mentor Scotland
A peer-to-peer support group for everyone aged 16+, offering a safe, non-judgmental space for people to share their experiences and help break the stigma attached to mental health. Their aim is to connect individuals in a community, providing a supportive environment where people can help each other through shared experiences.
They offer various mental health and wellbeing groups, including meditation, cold water sessions, health walks, badminton, men-only and women-only talking groups, and a friendly drop-in for tea, coffee, and a catch-up with like-minded individuals. Their Friday evening support group is open to all, with drop-in and talking groups available.
End the stigma ❤️
.
Phone: 07470 461685
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086874550111
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/
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/
Beacon House Trauma Resources
ree, easy-to-use tools to help people understand and heal from trauma. From helpful guides and videos to podcasts and worksheets, it’s a great place for anyone, families, teachers, or professionals, to learn more about supporting emotional wellbeing.
Web: https://beaconhouse.org.uk/resources/?