Resources for: Distress and Age 12-17

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.

22. Breathing Space

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/

Helpline Telephone National Free
10. Anna Freud

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/

Helpline Website Online Self referral National Free
21. BRAVE

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/

Website Online National Free
29. Catch It

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

App Online Self referral National Free
47. DBI No Text

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

Services & somewhere to go Professional referral School Referral Local Free
67. Happify With Text

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/

App Online Self referral National 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, 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/

Helpline Website Online Self referral Telephone National Free
95. Mood Gym

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/

Website Online Self referral International Costs money
97. Moodtools

Moodtools

A free app for managing depression with a mood tracker, videos, meditations and more.

Web: www.moodtools.org/

App Online Self referral National Free
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 offering support for people experiencing anxiety, panic attacks, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The site provides a youth hub, self-help resources, information, online support groups and a helpline to help individuals understand their anxiety and find practical ways to manage it.

Helpline number: 0300 772 9844

Web: www.nopanic.org.uk

Helpline Online Telephone National Free
117. Rape Crisis

Rape Crisis Scotland

 

provides national, free and confidential support for anyone affected by sexual violence, offering a helpline, local centre finder, survivor resources, legal and reporting guidance, and prevention work aimed at ending sexual violence in Scotland.

 

Helpline number: 08088 01 03 02

Web: www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/

Helpline Services & somewhere to go Online Self referral Telephone National Free
125. Samaritans2

Samaritans

 

A charity offering confidential emotional support to anyone in distress or struggling to cope. They provide a safe place to talk, available day and night, every day of the year, through phone, email, letter or in‑person at local branches across the UK and Ireland.

 

 

Helpline number: 116123

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 free wellbeing app designed to help people manage anxiety, depression, loneliness and coping. The app offers mood‑tracking tools, guided self‑help techniques and a supportive online community, all informed by clinical research and psychological best practice.

 

 

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

App Online National Free
141. SHOUT

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/

Helpline Website Online Telephone National Free
146. Stem4

stem4 - supporting teenage mental health

 

Supports teenage mental health through early intervention, education and evidence‑based digital tools. They provide clinically‑informed resources for anxiety, depression, self‑harm and eating disorders, along with a suite of free, award‑winning mental health apps designed for young people and those who support them.

 

Web: www.stem4.org.uk/

Website Download Online Self referral National Free
147. Stepping Stones

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

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 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/

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

 

A national charity specialising in mediation and family conflict support. They offer free digital resources, workshops and training to help young people, parents and professionals understand conflict, manage emotions and strengthen relationships. Their award‑winning tools focus on early intervention and reducing family breakdown by improving communication and emotional awareness.

 

 

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

Website Online Self referral National Free
Mentor Scotland

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

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

SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health)

 

Scotland’s national mental health charity, providing support, services and advocacy to help people improve their mental wellbeing. They operate more than 60 community‑based services across Scotland and run national programmes focused on suicide prevention, anti‑stigma work, and promoting positive mental health.

 

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
Beacon House Logo Rgb Small Size1

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/?

Website Download Online National Free
New SAMH Logo

The Nook

 

The Nook is a welcoming, walk‑in mental health hub in Glasgow offering free, stigma‑free support, resources, wellbeing activities and therapeutic sessions for young people aged 10+, adults and families. No referral or appointment is needed.

 

Web: https://www.samh.org.uk/about-us/the-nook

Services & somewhere to go Self referral Local Free
Voice Collective Logo

Voice Collective

 

A UK‑wide project supporting children and young people who hear voices, see visions, or have other unusual sensory experiences. They offer peer support groups, a moderated Discord forum (ages 13–25), one‑to‑one support and resources for families and professionals, providing safe, non‑judgemental spaces to help young people make sense of their experiences.

 

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

Website Online National Free
SIDEKICK 960X960

Sidekick (Action for Children)

 

A free, confidential text and email helpline for young people. It offers support with anything that feels difficult, including mental health, school problems, friendships, family worries or neurodiversity‑related challenges. Young people aged 13–18 (or up to 25 with Special Educational Needs) can get in touch during opening hours by texting 07888 868059. 

 

Helpline number: 07888 868059

Web: https://sidekick.actionforchildren.org.uk/

Helpline Website Online Self referral National Free