Coronavirus advice for under 21s
It’s a strange time right now and it might feel scary or confusing. It’s natural to experience lots of different emotions. Don’t be afraid to talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling and anything you’re worried about. Often it helps to talk through things with someone and process everything that’s in your head.
What’s happening with my service?
We’re still here to support you. Our services are giving appointments over WhatsApp (chat and video), Zoom, Skype and Signal. Please have a chat with your worker to agree how you’d like to stay in touch. If you feel like you really need to meet in person, let us know and we’ll try and arrange this if we can.
If you can’t make a session or you don’t think you need it, please let your worker know.
Also, it’s a good idea to find out if there are any changes to other services that might be supporting you. Please get in touch with your worker if you’d like some support with this.
Where can I go for health advice?
- NHS (England)
- NHS Inform (Scotland)
- NHS Wales
How can I stay safe if I’m using drugs or alcohol?
If you choose to use drugs or drink alcohol, here are some ways you can keep yourself safe:
If you’re worried or unsure about anything, please speak to your worker, or use our online chat service. We’re here to support you.
Help Your Mate
Ready to start partying again? Whether at festivals or in clubs, we want to help you stay as safe as possible – especially if you’ve been out of the game for a while.
Here are our tips and advice for staying safe while having a good time with your mates. Click the links below to get advice on different drugs.
Websites, helplines and text advice for people under 21
Information and advice on coronavirus
- Here is a helpful guide to coronavirus (PDF) for young people from the Children’s Commissioner.
- You can find health information on the NHS website (England), NHS Inform (Scotland) or NHS Wales.
- The charity Become has advice for care-experienced young people. You can also call their advice line for free on 0800 023 2033 (open Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm).
Your mental health and wellbeing
- Read what to do if you’re anxious about coronavirus, from Young Minds. They also have a guide on how to look after your mental health if you are self-isolating.
- You can also text YoungMinds for advice if you don’t have internet - text YM to 85258. It’s free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
- For crisis support from The Mix text THEMIX to 85258 (available 24/7).
- Group chat rooms are available from The Mix too.
- Tips to help you cope with grief after losing a loved one
Staying safe online
- Read our tips to help you stay safe when you're on a video call.
- Young people’s guide to staying safe online from the Children’s Commissioner.
- Staying safe online advice from Childline.
Problems at home
- Here are 8 tips for dealing with conflict at home from The Children's Society.
- If you’re thinking of running away or leaving home, the Runaway Helpline is there to listen to you and offer you support. Call or text for free on 116 000, 24/7.
- Are you caring for someone at home? Maybe your Mum or Dad is using drugs or alcohol? You can speak anonymously to The National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA). It's free and confidential. You can contact them on 0800 358 3456, Monday to Saturday, 2pm - 7pm.
- You can also speak to your nearest Change Grow Live service for support. Find your nearest service here.
Resources for parents, carers and professionals
Coronavirus advice
- This is a short book to support and reassure children under 7. Available in a range of languages.
- See the coronavirus, children and you guidance from the Children’s Commissioner. It includes helpful resources and support for parents and professionals supporting children.
- The World Health Organization (WHO) has advice for healthy parenting in the time of coronavirus.
- This handbook from Emerging Minds has evidence-based advice for anyone supporting children and young people with their worries around Coronavirus. (PDF)
- Advice on how to speak to your child about grief after experiencing trauma or loss
- This page on Adfam's website has free family activity packs to download.
- YoungMinds have advice for supporting your child during the pandemic.
Children and young people’s mental health
See Public Health England’s guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus pandemic.
Domestic abuse
If you're living with an abusive partner and you're worried about what will happen, and/or worried about your children, you can contact the Refuge National Domestic Abuse Helpline:
- Call 0808 2000 247 (free, open 24/7)
- Contact the helpline team online
- If you are in an emergency situation, please call 999.
Keeping your children safe online
- Read our tips for keeping children and young people safe during group video calls.
- Here is an online safety guide for parents from NSPCC.
- Catch22 has tips for parents, carers and professionals to help young people stay safe online.
Tackling abuse and exploitation
As drug dealers compete over a shrinking market, there is a potential for gang violence to go up. You can increase your knowledge of child criminal exploitation (also known as ‘county lines’), and ways to keep children safe, with these criminal exploitation resources from The Children’s Society.
For advice to help you spot the signs of abuse, and know what to do if you're worried about a child, see NSPCC’s keeping children safe from abuse support page.