The CAMHS service helps children and young people in Dorset who are experiencing significant mental health issues, but there are lots of other local services and resources that can provide support if you're worried, need to talk, or are simply looking for a little advice.
Remember that if you need to speak to someone urgently about any kind of mental health issue, please call Childline free on 0800 11 11. The line is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you don't want to talk, you can also visit the Childline website.
For details of other organisations that can provide support in a crisis, please see our section on urgent help.
Use the pulldown options below to find contact details for organisations and charities that provide support on a range of issues related to mental health and wellbeing. You can also find links to more advice and support on specific mental health issues under our section on feelings and emotions.
These local services can provide free support on mental health issues and concerns:
Chat Health - Dorset
ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging service that enables children and young people (aged 11-19) to contact their local public health nursing (school nursing) team
Text: 07480 635511
UP in BCP
Offers support and advice to young people in the BCP area on issues including worries about your health and wellbeing, family problems and finding fun a positive things to do. Also offers support for young people who are caring for family members and young parents. Tel 07880480602
Nu-Waves - Nu Waves is a non-profit organisation working with children and young people in Weymouth and the surrounding areas. We offer group work and support to children and families in the area, including those affected by Domestic Abuse. As well as, one to one support through mentoring and counselling, to work with the family as a whole through mediation and group work as well as creating a youth forum to ensure young people’s voices are heard and current issues and needs are met
http://www.facebook.com/dorsetnuwaves/
The Rendezvous - North Dorset
Sherborne's youth resource centre offers a friendly listening ear and emotional support or counselling if you need it, providing support on issues including bullying, eating disorders, gender identity, self harm, stress and anxiety
www.therendezvous.org.uk
Treads - North Dorset
An informal advice, information and drop-in centre for young people in Blandford
treadsblandford.wordpress.com
Kooth - online
This online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people offers an online live chat option.
www.kooth.com
Dorset Mind Your Head
Delivered by Dorset Mind charity, Dorset Mind Your Head or DMYH, is a whole-school approach to help young people, parents and teachers live life mentally healthy. Support includes counselling, drop-ins, mentoring and ambassador schemes, assemblies, PSHE, education and workshops for teachers and parents.
Healthwatch Dorset
Your local consumer champion for health and social care services
www.healthwatchdorset.co.uk
LiveWell Dorset
Public health service that supports the health and wellbeing of residents in Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset
www.livewelldorset.co.uk
The Discovery Project
The Project offers opportunities for Young People, their families and supporters to develop an understanding of recovery.
https://www.dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services-hospitals/mental-health/discovery-project
These local organisations can provide help and support with particular issues, concerns and mental health disorders:
Autism Wessex
Information & advice on a range of autism related topics for people with autism, families and professionals
Tel: (01202) 483360
Email: enquiries@autismwessex.org.uk
www.autismwessex.org.uk
Mosaic
Mosaic is a Dorset-wide charity offering support to bereaved children, young people and their families, and young people who are facing the death of a loved one.
Tel: 01258 837071
Email: info@mosaicfamilysupport.org
www.mosaicfamilysupport.org
Space Youth Project
Support for young people who are or may be lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, or are questioning their sexuality and/or gender identity
Tel: 01202 205279 or 07973 405280
Email: hello@spaceyouthproject.co.uk
www.spaceyouthproject.co.uk
Young People's Eating Disorder Service (YPEDS)
Local support for young people struggling with eating disorders – this service is accessed via referral, please speak to your GP or an adult you trust if you would like their support
Dorset Mind Young People's Befriending Service
A local befriending service run by the Dorset branch of Mind – this service is accessed via referral, please speak to your GP or an adult you trust if you would like their support
Stars Dorset
The rape crisis centre is a voluntary organisation for anyone who has been raped or sexually abused.
Helpline: 01202 308855
www.starsdorset.org
The Shores
A Dorset-wide service providing support to men, women and children who have been raped or sexually assaulted. They are contactable 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Tel: 01202 552056
www.the-shores.org.uk
Supporting a family member with mental health problems:
childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/mental-health/someone-family-mental-health-problem/
Supporting family and friends with mental health problems:
www.harmless.org.uk/whoWeSupport/familyAndFriends
It's Good to Talk
Find private counsellors and psychotherapists accredited with the BACP
Tel: 01455 883300
www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk
CBT Therapists
Find details of all officially accredited Cognitive Behaviour Therapists.
www.cbtregisteruk.com
Redlands
Local counselling service that offers donation-based community counselling for those on a low income
Tel: 01202 859354
www.redlandscounselling.co.uk
Relate (counselling for young people)
Offers free live chat sessions with a trained Relate counsellor or counselling sessions at your local Relate centre
Tel: 0300 100 1234
www.relate.org.uk/relationship-help/help-children-and-young-people
Cruse (bereavement counselling)
Offers a safe and confidential environment where bereaved people can access free counselling
Tel: 0808 8081677
www.cruse.org.uk
Young Minds
Charity dedicated to improving young people's mental health
www.youngminds.org.uk
Childline
Support and advice for children and young people on any issue
www.childline.org.uk
PAPYRUS
National charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide
papyrus-uk.org
The Mix
Support and advice for young people aged 13-25 via phone, email or on their webchat
www.themix.org.uk
No Panic
Support for people suffering anxiety disorders
www.nopanic.org.uk
MindEd
Free educational resources related to emotional health and wellbeing
www.minded.org.uk
Mind
National mental health charity
www.mind.org.uk
Kidscape
Bullying support
www.kidscape.org.uk
National Autistic Society
www.autism.org.uk
Carers UK
Making life better for carers
www.carersuk.org
Winston's Wish
Help and support for grieving children
www.winstonswish.org
Child Bereavement UK
Support when a child is facing bereavement
childbereavementuk.org