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New Mental Health Support for Young People in the Reading Community

No5 Mental Health Helpline

No5 Young People are providing two new ways for young people to talk about their mental health worries and receive help during this difficult time. One is driven by their young ambassadors who have volunteered to answer mental health-related questions via video and a new helpline to receive support from a qualified counsellor.

Talking about the new mental health helpline, Alyson Brickley, Director at No5 Young People said:  “No5 Young People’s Mental Health Helpline has been created to provide telephone support from qualified young people’s counsellors. Knowing the additional strain of coronavirus on young people’s wellbeing and mental health we wanted to do something to help those in our local community. Young people from 11-25 years of age can access this free helpline and receive a call from a counsellor trained to help children and young people. 

Social distancing, self-isolation, being unable to see friends and family, attend school and fears around the virus can make young people anxious and distance themselves. Talking to someone who won’t judge you about how you’re feeling is in itself helpful. Our trained counsellors can also offer practical advice over the phone. ”

Simply text TALK followed by your first name and postcode to 07786 202430 to request a phone call from one of our trained counsellors. The support line is open from 5-8pm, Monday to Friday. No5 Helpline is not a crisis line. If you are in crisis please contact the Samaritans 24/7 phone line on 116 123.

Young Ambassadors Video

No5 Young Ambassadors are sharing their tips on keeping mentally fit and being creative

No5 Young Ambassadors are answering mental health-related questions posted to them by other young people every Thursday by video. Visit our YouTube channel to view those recorded to date. You can ask questions through social media using #AsktheYAs. Or you can direct message No5 who will pass on your question and a Young Ambassador will answer it the following Thursday in a video post shared through social media. 

Carly Newman, Operations and Relationships Manager at No5 explained: “No5 Ambassadors wanted to do something to help young people during coronavirus. They suggested an opportunity to share their experiences and answer questions via video. We jumped at the chance! Please come forward with your questions, could be around feeling anxious,  low self-esteem, loneliness or perhaps motivation. Our Young Ambassadors want to share what has worked for them so get in touch via Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram using #AsktheYAs or direct message.” 

Make It For MayThe Young Ambassadors have been managing a daily prompt under hashtag #MakeItForMay. Posting a different theme every day on No5’s social media platforms to encourage young people to be creative. Themes have included bloom, Newspaper and Reborn. 

Abbie, Lead Young Ambassador talked about why she wanted to get involved: “I think it’s important for young people to be creating content for other young people as so much of what we consume is made by adults who grew up in a different world to us. I’m excited to be involved as I’m very passionate about supporting young people in my local community and to be building my creative skills alongside this!” 

 

How to access No5 Young People’s Mental Health Helpline:

  • Text TALK followed by your first name and postcode to 07786 202430 to request a phone call from one of our trained counsellors. 
  • The support line will be available between 17:00 and 20:00, Monday – Friday.
  • A counsellor will call you back to offer support – our hope will be to respond later the same day, but depending on demand it may be the following day.
  • Calls will last up to 30 minutes.
  • This service is not counselling, but an opportunity to get support from qualified young people’s counsellors.

Get Involved

Your support through fundraising allows us to carry on supporting young people’s mental health.

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