How to ask for help

When you're in a crisis, it can be very hard to ask for help. You might be embarrassed, stressed or unsure about who can provide the help you need. It can help to think through the problem:

• Think hard about what the problem is, writing it down can help
• Think about how you might be able to improve or resolve the problem
• Think about what help you need to do this

Once you've done this, it's time to go and look for help. There are lots of organisations that provide information, support and advice to young people:

Youth Centres, Bodyzones and Information centres, points, sessions, drop-ins and i-zones

These are places where young people can find information, things to do, opportunities and someone to talk to, as well as access to health services, counselling, mentoring and other specialist services for young people.

You can find your local information access point in your local Youth Centre and/or in your school (there may be a room, or lunch-time sessions). Staff won't tell anyone about your visits unless you ask them to or you are in danger.

Connexions

Connexions is about helping young people 13-19 make the best start in life. The Connexions Service is available to you through a Connexions Personal Adviser (PA) and through local Connexions centres.

Your PA is there to help you with choosing education, training and work, and developing your skills through sport or voluntary work. Your PA is also your link to a huge range of services offering help on other issues that may be affecting your life, from health and finance to relationships and housing. You can contact a PA at your school or at a Connexions Access Point.

You can also access connexions, chat online to advisers and more through Connexions Direct.

• www.connexions-direct.com

Citizens Advice Bureaus

C.A.B.s (Citizens Advice Bureaus) offer free, confidential and independent advice on a wide range of issues. Every town has one. Find your local C.A.B. and access the Online Advice Guide

• www.adviceguide.org.uk

Helplines

Many organisations have 'helplines' that provide information and/or advice on a particular topic. They are often available all day, or late at night when you most need to talk to someone.

Some helplines are free (Freefone) and will not appear on the telephone bill. But they may not be free from mobiles. Numbers that begin with the prefix 0345 or 0845 are local call rate and will appear on the bill. If you are worried about someone at home knowing you called, use a public phone box. Some helplines will call you back so you don't have to pay for the call.

When you first call a helpline you might get nervous or start to cry. Don’t worry. The person on the other end of the phone has been trained to handle your call, and may even know first-hand what you're going through. What you tell
them is strictly confidential.

• Alcoholics Anonymous and Alateen 020 7403 0888 10am-10pm
  Alateen is for young people with an alcoholic family member or friend.
  
• Asian Women’s Helpline Freefone 0800 052 6077 M-F 10-12 noon, 2-4pm
  Help with any problem for women 16+.
  
• Bristol Crisis Service for Women (0117) 925 1119 F-Sa 9pm-12:30am, Su 6-9pm.
  For women in emotional distress with a focus on self-injury.
  
• Childline Freefone (0800) 1111 24/7
  Help with any problem.
  
• Crisis Line (01865) 251152 7pm-1am every night
  The Oxfordshire mental health evening helpline
  
• Cruse RD4U Helpline 0808 808 1677 M-F 9.30am-5.30pm
  For young people and children suffering bereavement.
  
• Drinkline Freefone (0800) 917 8282 Tu-Th 9am-11pm, Weekends 24/7
  National helpline for problems related to drinking.
  
• B-Eat youthline 08456 347650 M-F 4.30-8.30pm, Sa 1-4.30pm
  For young people with anorexia, bulimia, compulsive eating or weight worries.
  
• Frank Freefone (0800) 776600 24/7
  Help on anything involving drugs.
  
• Gamblers Anonymous (020) 7384 3040 24/7
  For help with compulsive gambling or a compulsive gambler.
  
• Get Connected Freefone (0808) 808 4994 1-11pm
  UK-wide helpline that finds young people the best sources of help no matter what the problem.
  
• Kidscape 08451 205 204 M-F 10am-4pm
  Help for people who want to stop bullying.
  
• Mermaid 07020 935066 M-Sa 3-7pm
  Support for young people up to age 19 who are trying to cope with gender identity issues.
  
• National Debt Line Freefone 0808 808 4000 M-F 9am-9pm, Sa 9:30am-1pm
  Expert advice on any type of debt, including court proceedings.
  
• National Youth Advocacy Service Freefone (0800) 616101 M-F 8am-8pm, Sa 10am-4pm
  Confidential information, advice, advocacy or legal representation for any issue.
  
• NHS Direct (0845) 4647 (local rate) 24/7
  Any health or NHS query.
  
• NSPCC Freefone (0808) 800 5000 24/7 Textphone (0808) 056 0566 24/7
  For young people who are being hurt or at risk of being hurt.
  
• Oxford Friend (01865) 726893 Tu, W, F 7-9pm
  For lesbians, gays and bisexuals.
  
• Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Line (01865) 726295 M,Th 6.30pm-9pm, Su 6-8.30pm
  For anyone who has been assaulted, threatened, harassed or raped recently or in the past.
  
• Quitline Freefone (0800) 002200 9am-9pm
  Help to stop smoking.
  
• Runaway Helpline Freefone (0808) 800 70 70 24/7
  Information and support for anyone age 17 or under who has run away or been forced to leave home.
  
• Samaritans (01865) 722122 (0845) 7 90 90 90 (local rate)
  24/7 support for any kind of problem.
  
• Sexwise Freefone (0800) 28 29 30
  Any question on sex, relationships or contraception.
  
• Survivors UK ( 0845) 122 1201 (local rate) Tu & Th 7-10pm
  For male victims of sexual abuse and rape.
  
• TALKAdoption Freefone (0800) 783 1234 M, W, Th 9am-6pm; Tu 9am-8pm; F 9am-4pm
  A listening ear for anyone with a connection to adoption.
  
• THT Direct (0845) 12 21 200 (local rate) M-F 10am-10pm; Sa & Su 12-6pm
  For anyone worried about any aspect of HIV and AIDS.
  
• VoiceYP 0808 800 5792 M-F 9.30am-5.30pm
  Helpline for young people in care who need an independent advocate.
  
• Youth2Youth (020) 8896 3675 M & Th 6:30-9:30pm
  Helpline staffed by young people. Support with emotional well-being, self image, sexuality and sexual relationships.

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