Just SHOUT for help with exam stress

With exams underway, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership is reminding young Fifers to SHOUT if they need vital mental health support.

SHOUT is a free, confidential, text support service and is available 24 hours a day.

Any young person who needs it should text FIFE to 85258 for free to connect with a trained volunteer.

Accessing the service doesn’t show up on mobile bills.

Trained volunteers are available day or night to help children or young people with a range of concerns from stress to anxiety, loneliness or depression.

Ruth Bennett, Health Promotion’s Manager, Fife Health and Social Care Partnership said: “We know exam time can be overwhelming for some young people and can trigger feelings of stress or anxiety.

“Everyone needs help from time to time and we’d urge anyone who feels they need help to just SHOUT.”

SHOUT is one of a range of support services available and other useful links for support for services available in Fife are:

• Our Minds Matter – which has a range of mental health and wellbeing information for young people in Fife, 
• ParentClub – the Scottish Government website for parents which contains advice and information.

If a young person needs help now, support is available from:

• NHS 24: 111 or in an emergency always phone 999
• Samaritans: 116 123 (open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day), 
• Papyrus: 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039967 (open 365 days a year, 9 am until midnight), 
• Childline: 0800 1111 (open 365 days a year, 7.30 am until 3.30 am).