Resources for: Depression and Low Mood and Age 12-17
Difficult events and experiences can leave us in low spirits or cause depression. It could be relationship problems, when someone close to you dies, sleep problems, stress at work, bullying, chronic illness or pain. Sometimes it's possible to feel down without there being an obvious reason. Reference
See a range of supports and services that may help you.
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/
Campaign Against Living Miserably
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a UK charity supporting anyone feeling down or struggling with life. Aimed mainly at young people and men, the site offers free advice, real stories, and help with issues like mental health, loneliness, and suicidal thoughts. It’s all about taking a stand against feeling rubbish, because you’re not alone. Helpline 5pm -midnight and webchat open 365 days a year
Helpline number: 0800 58 58 58
Web: www.thecalmzone.net/
Catch it
Catch It is a free app that helps you manage feelings like anxiety, depression, anger, or confusion . You track your mood, reflect on your thoughts, and learn how to turn thinking around, all in a simple mood diary format. It’s great for anyone aged 12+ looking to better understand and improve their mental wellbeing.
Web: https://healthwell.eani.org.uk/apps/catch-it
Combined Minds
a free app designed to help families and friends support young people aged 11 and over with a diagnosed mental health condition. Using a strengths-based approach, the app focuses on identifying and building upon the positive attributes and resilience of the young person. It provides tools and guidance to help supporters create a positive environment that encourages change, while also helping them recognise and utilise their own strengths. Please note that the app is an aid in treatment but does not replace professional mental health care.
Web: www.combinedminds.co.uk/
Crisis Counselling (Erskine Counselling)
Crisis Counselling offers free counselling therapy to children and young people in West Dunbartonshire aged 10 and over experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties. Referral through Education services.
Adults can self-refer with a cost for affordable mental health support. Support is available face-to-face or online to help with issues like anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Web: www.crisiscounselling.co.uk/
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
Feeling Good
Feeling Good offers Positive Mental Training audio programmes which can help you feel better, lift your mood and recover from stress, anxiety and depression by building resilience and developing positive feelings.
Web: www.feelinggood.app/
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/
Happy Maps
HappyMaps is a free UK-based website that helps find trusted mental health support for children and young people. It offers advice on behaviour, self-harm, and emotional wellbeing, along with links to helplines, apps, and counselling services appropriate for different ages. It’s great if you’re waiting for specialist help or want to find resources yourself meanwhile.
Web: www.happymaps.co.uk/
Health Talks
Healthtalk’s Young People section shares real stories about health and wellbeing challenges like depression, eating disorders, diabetes, and more. Through videos, young people talk honestly about their experiences to help others feel less alone and find support.
Web: https://healthtalk.org/young-people/
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/
Mood Gym
An online self-help program designed to help users prevent and manage symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is like an interactive, online self-help book which teaches skills based on cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT). You can log back in to at any time to learn more skills or to add to your workbooks and diaries.
Web: www.moodgym.com.au/
Moodtools
A free app for managing depression with a mood tracker, videos, meditations and more.
Web: www.moodtools.org/
My Possible Self
Tackle anxiety, stress and unhelpful negative thinking with this app.
Web: www.mypossibleself.com/
NHS Inform
NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service helping the people in Scotland to make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for. Also includes a service directory with details of health and wellbeing services across Scotland.
Web: www.nhsinform.scot
Samaritans
Helpline number: 116123
Web: www.samaritans.org
Self-help App for the Mind (SAM)
Web: www.mindgarden-tech.co.uk/
SHOUT Crisis text service
Shout is a free, confidential 24/7 mental health text service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. By texting SHOUT to 85258, users are connected with a trained volunteer who offers calm, non‑judgemental support through difficult moments.
Shout also offers PeerChat for 16–25‑year‑olds, connecting young people with trained peer supporters their own age for additional youth‑focused mental health support.
Helpline number: 85258 free text support service
Web: www.giveusashout.org/
Smiling Mind
Web: www.smilingmind.com.au/smiling-mind-app
stem4 - supporting teenage mental health
Web: www.stem4.org.uk/
Stepping Stones
A mental health charity in West Dunbartonshire offering free support for residents aged 16+. Services include 1:1 counselling, peer support, guided self‑help, mental health support work, social and walking groups, relaxation and Tai Chi classes, and bereavement support. Support is available across multiple community locations, and self‑referrals are welcomed.
Phone: 0141 941 2929
Web: www.stepstones.org.uk
The Mix
The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Web: www.themix.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/
Feeling Good Teens
Feeling Good offers Positive Mental Training audio programmes which can help you feel better, lift your mood and recover from stress, anxiety and depression by building resilience and developing positive feelings.
Web: https://www.feelinggood.app/teens-download/
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
Mentor Scotland
A peer-to-peer support group in West Dunbartonshire for people aged 16+, offering a safe, non-judgemental space to share experiences and challenge mental health stigma. They run a range of wellbeing activities and talking groups, including meditation, walks, sports, and regular drop-in and peer support sessions.
End the stigma ❤️
.
Phone: 07470 461685
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086874550111
SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health)
Helpline number: 0344 800 0550
Web: https://www.samh.org.uk/
Think Positive
A leading initiative dedicated to supporting student mental health across Scotland that empowers students to access trusted resources, challenge stigma, and build a more positive, supportive campus community.
Web: https://thinkpositive.scot/
The Nook
Web: https://www.samh.org.uk/about-us/the-nook
Voice Collective
Web: https://www.voicecollective.co.uk/
Sidekick (Action for Children)
Helpline number: 07888 868059
Web: https://sidekick.actionforchildren.org.uk/