Support Services NI

Early support is most beneficial for mental health and wellbeing.

Your GP can refer your child or young person to mental health services. If you are referred to mental health services, they will decide your level of priority and contact you to make an appointment.

The following services may also be of use if your child or young person is struggling with issues relating to mental health and wellbeing. Please note that this list is not exhaustive, and Middletown Centre for Autism is not affiliated with the services named.

Addiction

Drugs and Alcohol NI website houses a range of information and resources delivered by The Public Health Agency, Drug and Alcohol Coordination Teams, Connections services in Northern Ireland.

Alateen – Group Support for Teenagers – Alateen is part of Al-Anon and is specifically is for teenage relatives and friends of alcoholics (aged 12-17) who meet to share their experiences of having, or having had, a problem drinker in their lives.

Frank – Find out everything you need to know about drugs, their effects and the law. Talk to Frank for facts, support and advice on drugs and alcohol today.

Start 360 DAISY – Drug and Alcohol Intervention Service for Young People aged 11-25 living with substance misuse.

Autism

Autism Initiatives – Supporting young people to gain skills and confidence

Autism NI – The Mental Health and Autism Project provides one to one support to autistic young people aged 11-18 years within the Belfast Trust.

Mencap – Mencap can help you find the advice and support that’s right for your family – from the earliest years to young adulthood.

Praxis Care – Praxis Care offers a wide range of specialist support services to autistic children and young people and their families.

Stepping Stones NI Youth Service – A range of support services for 16-24 year olds.

Counselling

Barnardo’s NOVA Trauma Support – Providing therapeutic support to children, young people and parents who have experienced psychological trauma.

Childline – A free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything, online, on the phone, anytime.

Helplines NI – A membership–led organisation consisting of over 30 different helplines operating across Northern Ireland.

The Play Therapies Centre – Play and art therapy services.

Depression & Anxiety

Aware – The depression charity for Northern Ireland, offering help and support to young people and families, schools and workplaces.

Lifeline – Crisis response helpline service for people of all ages who are experiencing distress or despair.

PAPYRUS – PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. 

PIPS – Providing help to individuals, families and organisations who have been affected by suicide or mental unwellness.

Eating Disorders

Eating Disorders Association NI – EDA (N.I.) exists to provide support, information and understanding to people with eating disorders as well as their families and friends.

LGBTQI+

Cara Friend LGBTQI+ Switchboard/Helpline – Supporting and empowering the LGBTQI+ community in Northern Ireland.

The Rainbow Project – The Rainbow Project works to improve the physical, mental and emotional health of gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender people and their families in Northern Ireland.

Wellbeing

CAMHS – The Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) promotes emotional wellbeing and delivers mental health services for children and young people up to the age of 18.

Inspire – Inspire is a charity and social enterprise based in Northern Ireland focusing on promoting wellbeing through mental health, intellectual/learning disability and professional wellbeing services.

MACS – Wellbeing support – Mental health and wellbeing support for CYP aged 16-25.

MindWise – is a leading membership-based mental health charity in Northern Ireland. We have been working with and for people of all ages directly affected by mental health issues as well as families, carers, employers and teachers for over 50 years.

The Mix – The Mix is a UK based charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25 via online, social and mobile.

Young Minds – The national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people.