Information for young people
This page brings together information for young people on where to get support and how to get involved in campaigns during the coronavirus outbreak.
Make sure you know the facts about coronavirus (COVID-19)
It's important to get reliable information about the outbreak to help protect yourself and others. You can find up-to-date information and guidance on the NHS website, as well as from the World Health Organisation (WHO).
This page is a constant work in progress - we will add information and resources as they come to our attention. Do you have any suggestions for resources to add to this page? E-mail our Communications and Digital Officer, Jonathan: Jonathan@youthaccess.org.uk
Tips and resources for mental health and wellbeing
Guides for looking after your mental health and wellbeing while in isolation.
Get active
Opportunities for getting involved in activism and campaigning.
Young people's voices
First hand accounts from young people on their experience of the coronavirus pandemic.
Get support
Where to go if you need support during the lockdown.
Tips and resources for mental health and wellbeing
- Online portal with lots of information and tips for improving and protecting your mental health and wellbeing. This includes:
NHS mental wellbeing audio guides
- A series of audio guides to help you cope with issues including depression, stress and anxiety. Listen here.
The Mix: Coronavirus support hub
- Lots of information and resources to help you cope with coronavirus and the impacts it has on you. Access it here.
Young Minds
- Young Minds have published a lot of blogs for young people with advice for looking after yourself during the coronavirus outbreak. Some really useful ones are:
- What to do if you’re anxious about coronavirus
- Looking after your mental health while self-isolating
- Tips for creating a routine during self-isolation
- Looking after your mental health while studying from home
- How to look after your mental health in a difficult living environment
- Young people's self-care tips for self-isolation
- Tips for coping with OCD during the coronavirus pandemic
Anna Freud Centre: Advice for young people
- Advice for young people and their families on how to cope with anxiety and other issues during the coronavirus outbreak, including guidance for self-care and how families can work together. Find all the advice here.
AYPH: A rights-based, survivor-led approach to coping with lockdown
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A resource created by the Youth Advisers on the We’re All Right project. They developed it in response to the kinds of issues young people may face during lockdown. You can download a pdf version. AYPH has also put together a list of useful resources for young people about Covid-19.
Become: Advice for care-experienced young people
- Advice specially for care-experienced young people on how to support yourself during the pandemic. Find it here.
Body & Soul MindSET livestreams
- Body & Soul is providing a weekly MindSET Livestream session that will be accessible to any young person in psychological distress. Sign up here.
- A phone app providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship or those concerned about someone they know. It's disguised as a weather app for safety and confidentiality. Find out more here - or download it for free in the Apple App Store or Google Play store.
- Support for young people in Cornwall dealing with a loss of a loved one during the coronavirus pandemic. Visis their website here.
Government advice for young carers
- Advice for young carers during the Covid-19 pandemic. Access it here.
How are you feeling? Coronavirus resources
- Lots of resources to help with things like going back to school and learning from home. Read them here.
Hunrosa: Tips for healthy sleeping
- Advice for making sure you sleep well during the pandemic from Cornish sleep experts Hunrosa. Read it here (pdf).
- Advice for maintaining a healthy sleeping pattern. Read it here.
OCD Stories: Coronavirus & OCD
- A podcast where OCD expert Dr Jon Grayson answers listener questions about the coronavirus and OCD. Listen here.
Self injury support: Coping with Coronavirus Lockdown When Your Mental Health is Already Not Great
- A blog about the impact of the current lockdown situation if you are already struggling with your mental health. Read it here.
Young Devon: Coronavirus wellbeing toolkit
- A document with lots of information, tips and exercises for looking after your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic. Download it here.
Opportunities for getting involved in activism and campaigning.
Join the Our Minds Our Future campaign
- The Our Minds Our Future campaign is calling for a mental health system that meets young people's human rights. We're organising online trainings for young people who want to join the campaign during the coronavirus lockdown. Find out more about the campaign here, and sign up for the online training here.
Advocates for Youth: At-Home Activism
- At home working? At home studying? This is At-Home Activism! An alternative semester featuring skill-shares, webinars, and extracurriculars to engage social justice while social distancing. Find out more and sign up here.
National Voices: Our Covid Voices
- Submit your story about living with mental health conditions during the coronavirus lockdown to help raise public awareness. Read the stories and submit your own here.
Peace First COVID-19 Rapid Response
- Peace First is launching a rapid response grant process to help young people around the world lead projects that address community impacts of COVID-19, from providing meals to elderly neighbours to launching digital mental health campaigns to support youth feeling isolated. Rapid response grants are open to young people between the ages of 13-25, anywhere in the world, starting today. Learn more and apply here.
Young people's voices
- Blogs from young people in Hull on their experience of life in lockdown. Read them here.
How I'm coping on down days in self-isolation
- Laura, 21, blogs for Young Minds on how she's coping on the down days when she feels a bit low or anxious. Read it here.
- Aodhán Roberts, 17, blogs for Headliners about life under lockdown in Northern Ireland. Read it here.
Partnership for Young London: Youth blogs
- Salem, 17, writes about experiencing lockdown, including issues like the cancellation of exams. Read it here.
