Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing Resources for Autistic People
If you or someone else is in a mental health crisis or at immediate risk of serious harm or danger , for any reason, including their mental health, you must contact the emergency Services:
You can either phone 999 or 111
The person at risk needs to go to an accident and emergency (A&E) department at a hospital.
Note: not all hospitals have A&E, so check first if you are not sure
If you can’t do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.
Otherwise take a look at the extensive range of support services and resources available to support with mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Specialist autism team mental health and wellbeing guide
Click here to view or download the wellbeing guide
Samaritans
Mental health support service available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. All ages.
Telephone: 116 123
This number is free to call from both landlines and mobiles
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Shout
Mental health text support service. This service is free, available 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Text SHOUT to 85258
https://giveusashout.org/
Sane
Offers support to anyone with a mental health problem or who is supporting someone else. The helpline is a confidential service for anyone aged 16 or over.
They are available from 4:30pm – 10:30pm every day. Please note your phone provider may charge you to use this service.
Telephone: 0300 304 7000
Mind
Offer a safe space for you to talk about your mental health. They can also signpost you to other services so that you receive the most appropriate support. Lines are open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). This is not a crisis service. Calls from UK landlines are charged at local rates. Charges from mobile phones vary.
Telephone: 0300 102 1234
https://www.mind.org.uk/
Calm
CALM’s website has a helpline and a live chat that are open from 5pm to midnight everyday, 365 days a year. Suitable for all ages
https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
Clare and me
Clare is artificial intelligence that gives you a safe space to speak your mind freely by listening and asking questions. You’ll be guided through self-reflective exercises & grounding techniques. Suitable for 18+ years old only
https://www.clareandme.com/
Relate
Relate provides free Family Counselling, Individual Counselling, Online and Telephone Counselling, Relationship Counselling and Sex Therapy. TEXT 07566 819842 for more information. Telephone: 0116 2543011. Please be aware these other service might have costs involved. Suitable for all ages
https://www.relate.org.uk/
Papyrus
Papyrus is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Phone services are operated by Hopeline UK
Telephone: 08000 684 141
Text: 07860039967
Email: pat@papyrus.uk.orh
Autistica
Autistica has a dedicated anxiety and autism hub, which is full of helpful research-backed information for positive coping strategies for anxiety for autistic people.
https://www.autistica.org.uk/what-is-autism/anxiety-and-autism
Videos
Autistic Girls Network- Autism and anxiety with Dr Luke Beardon
Dr Luke Beardon shares his expertise and insight on this topic and offers problem solving ideas – not just for helping individuals in the here and now – but also ideas on how society and systems should change to enable inclusion and better outcomes for autistic people.
Apps
Molehill Mountain (for autistic people)
Molehill Mountain is an app developed especially to help autistic people cope with anxiety. It’s based on CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) which has been adapted to be more autism friendly. It supports the person to log their worries – and gives tips on how anxiety works and how to manage it. You can view your progress with stats and graphs.
If you are a parent of an autistic child and wonder if they could benefit from Molehill Mountain, it will be best to try it for yourself first to see what you think – and you may have to support your child to use it at first.
Click here to find out more about the Molehill Mountain app.
My Possible Self (for anyone)
My Possible Self is an app that helps you keep track of your mental health and shares tips and tools to help keep your mental health in good shape.
Headspace (for anyone)
Headspace is a mindfulness and meditation app. It shares basic resources for free. You can also sign up for a free trial of their full package – and if you wish to continue, you will be charged a subscription fee. Headspace can help with a range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and sleep problems. Research shows Headspace can reduce stress by 14% in just 10 days. It can also help you relax your mind in minutes, improve focus, and sleep.
Books
Here are some self-help books you may find useful. You can buy them online or from a bookshop or borrow from a library. Libraries will consider buying books that they do not already have, if you let them know the details.
Avoiding anxiety in autistic children- Dr Luke Beardon (for parents/carers of autistic children)
It’s an optimistic and readable guide that offers advice on how to support autistic children and young people who suffer from anxiety.
Autism in Childhood- For parents and carers of newly diagnosed- Dr Luke Beardon (for parents/carers of autistic children)
This book is written primarily for parents and helps increase understanding and give some practical tips on how to support children and young people with autism related difficulties. Being well supported in general can really help to reduce anxiety in autistic children.
Avoiding anxiety in autistic adults- A guide of autistic wellbeing- Dr Luke Beardon (for autistic adults)
Described as ‘essential reading not just for any autistic adult, but for anyone who loves, lives with or works with an autistic person’
Cards against anxiety- Dr Pooky Knightsmith
A 128 page book and a pack of 25 cards uses a variety of well-established techniques and controlled breathing practices that can help users stress less and combat anxiety and depression.
Designed for use on the go and around other people, there’s no need find the perfect quiet spot to meditate in and it is discreet enough to be used on packed public transport or in an open public space without compromising your privacy.
What to do When You Worry Too Much: A Kids’ Guide to Overcoming Anxiety- Dr Dawn Hueber
An interactive self-help book for kids aged 6-12 to use with support from an adult. Strategies are based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Easy to follow, great illustrations.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - Russ Harris
- The Happiness Trap
- The Confidence Gap
- The Reality Slap
For young people
Take a look at the support services and resources available to support young people with their emotional health
Health for teens
Health for teens provides information on feeling and emotional health aimed from age 11+. It covers topics such as low mood, emotional awareness, confidence, self-esteem and self care tips. The site has many different articles, quizzes, local information and a section on neurodiversity
- Health for Teens- Autism and anxiety
- Health for Teens- Autism and looking after your mental health
- Health for Teens- Autism and mindfulness
- Health for Teens- How to practice mindfulness
Young minds
Young minds is a mental health charity for younger people. Young minds contains practical advice for young people, parents/ carers and professionals as well as help to navigate support. In also includes a page on autism and mental health.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Tellmi
Tellmi provides free digital mental health support, 365 days a year to anyone aged 11+ across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland either by the app or the web. For those seeking additional help, Tellmi offers 1-2-1 text-based, solution-focused therapy with a qualified therapist. The therapeutic model is designed to help individuals think positively about their future and identify existing skills and strengths. You can refer yourself or a referral can be made for you by parents, carers and professionals.
Childline
Childline is a counselling service. Their website provides a free online counselling service. They also have a free phone supportservice on 0808 1111, email and online chat service
https://www.childline.org.uk/
The mix
https://www.themix.org.uk/
The Mix offers online counselling and a has a crisis messenger for young people under the age of 25. You can contact them via their online community, on social media, through our free, confidential helpline (0808 808 4994) or their counselling service.
https://www.themix.org.uk/
Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Every Mind Matters Every Mind Matters’ helps young people be kind to their mind. It offers mental health resources include tailored advice, practical tips on sleep and self-care.
Love4Life
Love4Life specialises in supporting vulnerable girls develop their self-esteem and form positive and empowering relationships by offering Love4Life groups, one-to-ones and workshops at school and in the community. Love4Life accepts referrals from parents/guardians, schools and other support services. If you are young person aged 16-18 you can also refer yourself. This service is free.
For carers
Services and resources available to support carers emotional health
Care uk
A wide range of factsheets and guides to explain what support may be available to help ease caring responsibilities. Includes information for working carers
https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/guides-and-tools/our-factsheets/
Support for carers
Support for Carers, recognises the difficulties and challenges that carers are facing on a daily basis and the importance of carer recognition.
Support for Carers, understands that carer recognition is key to ensuring you receive the help and support you need at the right time to support you in your caring role. Through provision of the carers passport, this will aid in that recognition.
Please contact us on 01858 468543 or email maureen@supportforcarers.org if you would like further information.
How to apply for a Carers Passport for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland
https://www.supportforcarers.org/what-we-offer/carers-passport
Mind
Some self-care ideas that maybe helpful.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else/carers-friends-family-coping-support/looking-after-yourself/
Contact
Contact is a charity that provides information, advice and support to parents and carers of disabled children and young people from birth to 25, living in any part of the UK. Practical and emotional support, locally and nationally
For individual emotional support, there is the Listening Ear telephone support service.
If you need practical advice, emotional support, a shoulder to cry on, a safe place to vent, whatever it is-they can try to help.
Follow this link to talk to one of the parent carers – they can offer 1:1 telephone appointments for parent carers looking for emotional support:
contact.org.uk/listening-ear
https://contact.org.uk/
