– Informal befriending or visiting services if a young person has become socially isolated Similar support may also be available to the young person’s friends and families. What is available will vary between different parts of the country. To find helplines, support groups, or community/ voluntary organisations please see the MHFAider app or the Hub of Hope website . Self-help strategies Not all help can or should be provided by specialists in mental health, or by primary care staff like GPs. Many young people experiencing poor mental health can do things to improve their own wellbeing, and are keen to do so. Like practising self-care , which maintains a good level of wellbeing, self-help strategies can directly improve poor mental health. They can also enable a young person to feel that they are regaining control of their life, and doing something positive for themselves. Suggestions for self-help resources and strategies include: – Self-help books or websites based on CBT – Mood monitoring, perhaps using a digital tool such as Moodscope – Relaxation or mindfulness, perhaps using a digital tool such as Headspace – Engagement of enjoyable activities, either alone or with friends and family – Moderate exercise – Exposure to safe levels of sun, particularly where the low mood is seasonal and increases in winter – Avoidance or limiting of alcohol and other harmful substances – A healthy balanced diet – Regular and adequate sleep
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