If you’re struggling with your mental health, it can be difficult to reach out for help. For young people, asking for help can seem particularly daunting. 

Will, a young Peer Specialist from Dorset Mental Health Forum, talks about his experience reaching out to a trusted adult.

“If I’m totally honest, talking to a trusted adult was absolutely terrifying at first. Looking back, it was something that helped me out more than I could have imagined. Having someone around to reach out to was indescribably helpful for me and my mental health."

Who did you speak to?

I spoke to my grandparents, my parents, and a family friend who I trusted. I also spoke to a clinician I really trusted.

What would you say to a young person worried about talking to someone else about their feelings?

It's incredibly scary, and it's unfair that it's so scary. But it's something that seriously turned a corner for my mental health, and really helped me grow to be able to deal with, and manage, my emotions. It's really terrifying. When I reached out to someone, I was met with love and support beyond what I could have imagined. It's the single most anxiety provoking thing I've done in my life, but it has also been the single best thing I've done for my wellbeing.

What would you say to someone who might be worried about a friend’s mental health but isn’t sure who to talk to about it?

Being aware, and talking about mental health for young people, is super hard, but super valuable. Personally - I'd talk with them. Try to reach out, which I know is super cliche, but it was really appreciated when someone reached out to me recently. Even though I’m in a ‘good’ place with my wellbeing, having someone understand me struggling was a huge boost for me, in an otherwise really rough time.

Just being there for someone is huge and may help them gain a link to wellbeing that would help them overcome what they would have struggled to otherwise. It's incredibly scary, but something that can change someone's path through life for the better.

Help is always at hand

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to a friend or family member about how you’re feeling, these organisations are on-hand to help – with no judgement.

Connection – Dorset’s NHS mental health helpline - 0800 652 0190

Samaritans – on-hand to help, however big or small the problem - 116 123

Papyrus HOPELINE – for children or young people experiencing thoughts of suicide - 0800 068 4141

Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 for confidential support via text message

Visit www.kooth.com for an online wellbeing forum for 11-18 year olds, which includes free online counselling with trained professionals and moderated forums.

To find more services for young people in Dorset visit www.dorsetyouth.com/mental-health