YOUnited Safety Information

This page offers advice and guidance for children and young people who may be struggling with difficult or distressing thoughts or feelings, and for parents, carers, and others who are supporting them.

We know that being referred for mental health support, or waiting for an assessment, can feel worrying, overwhelming, and sometimes frightening. You may be reading this because things feel particularly hard right now. 

The information on this page is intended to offer guidance about how you, and the people around you, can help to keep you safe during this time. These are not rules that must be followed, but suggestions that many young people and families find helpful.

It can be useful to look through this information together, when everyone feels calm and settled, and to agree what feels most supportive and manageable for you at this time.

Mental health support and information

• www.keep-your-head.com
Local information and support for children, young people, and families across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
• www.kooth.com
Free, confidential online support for young people, including chat with trained counsellors, forums, and self-help resources.
• www.youngminds.org.uk
Information and advice for young people and parents about emotional wellbeing and mental health.

Information specifically about self-harm and suicidal thoughts

• www.nhs.uk/conditions/self-injury
National NHS advice and guidance about self-harm.
• www.selfharm.co.uk
A project dedicated to supporting young people affected by self-harm, offering information, a safe space to ask questions, and advice about staying safe.
• National Self-Harm Network – www.nshn.co.uk
Provides crisis support, information, resources, advice, discussion, and distractions. Available 24 hours a day. Also offers information and support for families and carers.

We understand that it is not possible to create a completely risk-free environment, either at home or elsewhere. The suggestions below are general ideas that some young people and families find helpful during times of distress.

You do not need to do all of these. It may be helpful to choose a small number of things that feel realistic and supportive for you and your individual circumstances

• Try to notice any triggers or early signs that suggest distress is increasing, and think together about whether there are any actions that could help reduce this.

• Identify safe adults at home and at school, whether family members or professionals, who you can talk to when things feel difficult. It can also help to think about places or rooms where you feel safer and calmer.

• Agree together how you would like to be supported during times of upset or distress. This might include keeping bedroom doors open, having someone check in with you, spending more time together, or making sure you are not left alone during times of high distress.

• Use appropriate distractions when feelings feel overwhelming, such as listening to music, watching a favourite programme or film, doing something creative, going for a walk, or talking with someone you trust.

• Parents and carers may find it helpful to limit access to things that could be used to cause harm, such as medications, alcohol, toxic substances (for example cleaning products), ligatures, and sharp objects. This may involve locking these items away or removing them from the home for a period of time.

• You can continue to seek support from your GP during surgery hours if there are concerns about mental health. Your GP can liaise with YOUnited if needed.

If You Need Urgent Support

• If you or your family need to speak to someone outside of usual working hours, you can contact the First Response Service by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option. This service is available for people living within Cambridgeshire.

• If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, or if you act on thoughts about harming yourself, please attend your local Accident and Emergency Department.