In a crisis and nothing is open?
Listening and support services have been there for me when I have felt hopeless and unable to cope. When it’s late at night, living on the outskirts of the city, it becomes almost impossible to access services. I cannot drive, neither can my mum. Buses and trains go every hour and stop running making it difficult to get home.
Support over the phone
Sometimes I don’t feel like having face-to-face support as I am already tired, emotionally and physically. I need sleep but can’t sleep because there are too many thoughts going round in my head or something is worrying me. I want to stay in bed, in my pjs and not move. I can talk over the phone whilst in bed. I can use my laptop to access their online support in bed.
Talking over the phone, online or face-to-face is not easy. Some days I know how I am feeling. Other days I don’t and struggle to express myself through talking or typing and thinking alone. I work this through with the Connect Helpline worker on the other end of the phone or online and we figure out how I am feeling together. On many occasions I continue talking to Connect until I feel that I can no longer stay awake.
Struggling to keep my eyes open, I say “I think I’m going to sleep now”. I am given the reminder that I can make contact again tomorrow night. I thank them. The words “goodbye” and “night” are exchanged before my eyes fully shut.
There’s a new helpline for 13-18 year olds
The Connect Helpline is expanding this week with the opening of the Teen Connect helpline. Teen Connect is just like the Connect Helpline but for 13-18 year olds only with staff who have been trained to work especially with children and young people.
Call Teen Connect free on 0808 800 1212 (open 6 p.m. – 2 a.m. any night of the year) or text 07984436680
Urgent help in Leeds for young people in crisis
Great to hear there’s something in the evening now for teenagers in crisis
Brilliant, really glad to hear about this.