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What is a wellbeing adviser?
Wellbeing advisers help young people find support when they’re feeling down or anxious. The adviser will make a plan with them and then they’ll catch up to see how things are going.
I’m aged 11-24
How will I talk to my wellbeing adviser?
When you sign-up, you’ll be paired with an adviser. We’ll let you know when we’ve found someone for you and tell you a bit more about them. Then you can arrange your first chat.
You can choose from different catch-up times and talk:
By phone
By video call
In person
Will our chats be private?
Everything you say is confidential. Your adviser will not tell anyone what you say unless they think that you, or someone else, are in danger.
What if I'm under 16?
If you’re under 16, we just need to check with a parent or carer if you can see an adviser. This is so everything is as safe as possible. You can show them this webpage if they want to know more – and here’s some help for talking about how you’re feeling. We’ll ask for their details when you sign-up.
If this isn’t possible, please let us know. We can chat about this further.
How does it work?
1. First 2 chats
You’ll tell your wellbeing adviser how you feel. Then you’ll set goals together and choose the help you’d like to try. This could be things like counselling, community groups or health services.
2. Getting help
Your wellbeing adviser will help get the support you’ve chosen. They can help you get in touch with people and they can help you with sign-up forms.
3. Catch ups
You’ll talk to your adviser about how much you’d like to catch up. They’ll chat with you about what’s working, and, if you want to try something else, they’ll help you with that.
4. Moving on
When you feel ready, you can stop seeing your wellbeing adviser. They’ll make sure you can manage your feelings and they’ll tell you where to get more help if you need it.
We want to make sure a wellbeing adviser is right for you. If things are very serious, we can find you other help instead.
I’m a parent/carer
How will my child talk to their wellbeing adviser?
When your child signs up, they’ll be paired with an adviser. We’ll let them know when we’ve found someone for them – and tell them a bit more about their adviser. Then they can arrange their first chat.
Your child can choose from different catch-up times and talk:
Will my child's conversations with their adviser be confidential?
What your child says is confidential – unless they want you to know. But we have plans in place if we think they’re in danger.
How can I talk to my child about mental health?
It can be tricky talking to your child about their mental health. Try to find a time and place that suits you both. The time may never feel perfect, but it can help if you both feel calm and comfortable. This could mean talking in a quiet place, or it could mean doing an activity together. Consider showing them the information on our wellbeing advisers further up this page.
I know someone aged 11-24 who needs help
How can I tell someone about wellbeing advisers?
If you think this is right for someone you know, you can share this webpage with them. Checking in with a young person about how they’re feeling can be tricky, but we’ve got some tips that might help.
How will they talk to their wellbeing adviser?
When the young person you know signs up, they’ll be paired with an adviser. We’ll let them know when we’ve found someone for them – and tell them a bit more about their adviser. Then they can arrange their first chat.
Advisers offer different catch-up times and can talk:
Will their conversations with their wellbeing adviser be kept confidential?
We keep things confidential. An advisor will only tell someone if the person you know, or someone else, is in danger.
If you have any concerns about your health and safety, we always recommend that you contact your GP.
If you feel like you are in a crisis or feel like you need urgent support:
If you feel like you might attempt suicide, or may have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help. Please:
- Call 999 for an ambulance
- Go straight to A&E, if you can
- Call your local crisis team
If you can’t do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.
Mental health emergencies are serious. You’re not wasting anyone’s time.
Adrian
Senior Assistant Psychologist
Pronouns: he/him
I became an adviser because I want to make sure young people are able to learn about and take care of their wellbeing. When I was growing up, mental health was not spoken about a lot, and I know it would have been so helpful to have someone I felt comfortable to speak about it with, and learn how to cope in ways that were right for me.
Ilke
Assistant Psychologist
Pronouns: she/her
I became an adviser because I wanted to be able to connect people with the services they need, whether it’s local organisations, activity groups, or others.
Shania
Mental Wellbeing Adviser
Pronouns: she/her
I became a well-being advisor because I want to support young people in feeling more hopeful and gain skills that allow them to reach their full potential. Having someone who listens has made a huge difference in my own life, so I want to pass this experience onto others.
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For enquiries about the service please contact [email protected]
The Wellbeing Advisers project is funded by BBC Children in Need, Deloitte, and Mind. This is a new service available in Hammersmith, Fulham, Ealing, and Hounslow, Newport, Coventry, and Warwickshire. It’s due to run until January 2024.
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