The Diana Award

Support Services

What is The Diana Award Crisis Messenger?

The Diana Award Crisis Messenger provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you are a young person in crisis, you can text DA to 85258.

Trained volunteers will listen to how you’re feeling and help you think the next step towards feeling better.

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

This service is powered by our trusted partner, Crisis Text Line.

Our crisis messenger service could help with urgent issues such as:

Suicidal thoughts
Abuse or assault
Self-harm
Bullying
Relationship breakdown

You can text us free and anonymously – although if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide one to one support. For advice and support on a variety of issues facing young people visit our Support & Advice Centre. If you require personal support, there are some great specialists who have helped many other parents and could help you and/or your child.

1

HOW TO GET STARTED_

TEXT DA TO 85258.

2

SAY HELLO_

Trained volunteers will listen to how you’re feeling and help you think the next step towards feeling better.

3

CHAT_

You’ll text each other, only sharing what you feel comfortable with.

4

WHY DOES THIS HELP?

By asking questions, listening to you and responding with support, they will help you think through your feelings until you both feel you are now in a calm, safe place. You might be signposted to other services, so that you can continue to get support.

NSPCC and Childline

Emergency Services

Childline offers free, confidential advice and support whatever your worry, whenever you need help. For help and advice about a wide range of issues, call for free on 0800 1111, talk to a counsellor online or send Childline an email.

Visit the Website

Shout

Emergency Services

Shout provides a free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text 'Shout' to 85258.

Visit the Website

Samaritans

Emergency Services

Samaritans provide free, 24/7 advice line for anyone in a crisis. Call free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit the website to find details of the nearest branch.

Visit the Website

CALM

Emergency Services

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offers free support, 5pm-midnight, on 0800 58 58 58. They also provide a webchat on their website.

Visit the Website

Young Minds

Emergency Services

Text the Young Minds Crisis Messenger for free 24/7 support across the UK if you are experiencing a mental health crisis. If you need urgent help, text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Visit the Website

The Mix

Emergency Services

The Mix provides information and support for under-25s covering a range of topics including mental health. Use their helpline (0808 808 4994) or webchat from 11am – 11pm daily. In a crisis, contact their crisis messenger text service for free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. Text THEMIX to 85258.

Visit the Website

Mind

Mental Health (Ongoing Support)

Mind's website provides lots of information and advice on a range of mental health conditions. You can call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 or email them on info@mind.org.uk . Mind also has some local branches and some of these provide face-to-face services.

Visit the Website

Re-think mental illness

Mental Health (Ongoing Support)

Re-think mental illness has an advice line on 0300 5000 927 and an email info@rethink.org Re-think also provides local support groups and mental health services.

Visit the Website

Self Harm UK

Mental Health (Ongoing Support)

Self Harm UK offer support to young people aged 14-19 dealing with and recovering from self-harm, including online group sessions.

Visit the Website

Befrienders

Mental Health (Ongoing Support)

Befrienders' members and volunteers around the world provide confidential support to people in emotional crisis or distress. View their website for details.

Visit the Website

NHS

Mental Health (Ongoing Support)

The NHS website contains lots of helpful advice and signposting to helpful support services.

Visit the Website

School Counsellor

Mental Health (Ongoing Support)

If you are in school, they might have an on-site counsellor. To find out more, ask your Head of Year, Mental Health Lead, SENCO or Pastoral Lead.

Visit the Website

Revenge Porn Helpline

Rape and Sexual Assault

If you have you had your intimate images shared online without your consent, call 0345 6000 459 or email help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk.

Visit the Website

Internet Watch Foundation

Rape and Sexual Assault

Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images.

Visit the Website

Rape Crisis

Rape and Sexual Assault

Rape Crisis England & Wales is the umbrella body for a network of independent Rape Crisis Centres which provide specialist support and services for victims and survivors of sexual violence.

Visit the Website

GP

General

Your local GP can provide support and signposting to appropriate organisations if you require additional support. This varies and includes support for mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. They can also provide access to professionals who can provide talking therapies, such as counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

Visit the Website

Health for Teens

General

Health for Teens is provided by the NHS and offers online advice on all aspects of health for teenagers.

Visit the Website

NHS Stop Smoking Service

General

If you would like advice and support in stopping smoking, you can visit the website to find your closest service.

Visit the Website

Relate

Family

Relate offer counselling to young people, and specialise in relationship troubles (family, friends or romantic). Call 0300 100 1234.

Visit the Website

Child Bereavement UK

Bereavement

Child Bereavement UK have advice on managing grief and local services.

Visit the Website

BEAT (Beating Eating Disorders)

Eating

Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. Their helplines are open 365 days a year from 12pm–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. They also offer on online webchat.

Visit the Website

Citizens Advice

Legal and Finance

Citizens Advice have centres across the UK which provide free, impartial, confidential advice, either face-to-face or via web chat or telephone on 03444 111 444.

Visit the Website

National Debtline

Legal and Finance

National Debtline provide advice for managing any debts you might have through a free helpline open Mon - Fri 9am - 8pm, Sat 9:30am - 1pm. Call 0808 808 4000.

Visit the Website

StepChange

Legal and Finance

If you need free advice on problem debt, you can call StepChange. Their team of debt experts can help you find the solutions you need. Call 0800 138 1111 (weekdays 8.00 am - 8.00 pm, Saturdays 8.00 am to 4.00 pm).

Visit the Website

Refugee Council

Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Refugee Council provide advice and help for new refugees and asylum seekers on immigration, benefits, housing, jobs and health.

Visit the Website

Refugee Action

Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Refugee Action provides advice and practical support for newly arrived asylum seekers and refugees settling in to the UK. Call 0207 952 1511

Visit the Website

Government Children’s Panel

Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

If you’re a child in the UK on your own and are applying for asylum, call 020 7346 1134 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5:30pm (limited service at other times).

Visit the Website

British Red Cross

Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers

British Red Cross provide lots of support on a variety of topics, including support for refugees.

Visit the Website

Gamblers Anonymous

Addiction

Gamblers Anonymous provides support for gamblers and their friends and/or family.

Visit the Website

Shelter

Housing

Shelter provides help finding somewhere to live for those who are homeless and/or a refugee or asylum seeker.

Visit the Website

Mermaids

LGBTQ+

Mermaids supports trans and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families.

Visit the Website

Stonewall

LGBTQ+

Stonewall support young LGBTQ+ people through a variety of programmes and activities.

Visit the Website

FRANK

Addiction

FRANK offers a 24 hour confidential helpline for young people with questions or concerns about alcohol or drugs on 0300 123 6600 or you can chat online with advisors daily from 2pm - 6pm.

Visit the Website