Useful Websites
Apps and Websites to Support Mental Health and Well-Being
NHS Ayrshire & Arran’s Public Mental Health & Wellbeing Network has prepared guidance on some examples of Apps and websites to support mental health and wellbeing; we do not endorse or recommend particular resources, and encourage you to carefully explore resources before you use them. All the Apps are free to download but some do have in app purchases so we urge you to be cautious when exploring some of the features. (October 2019)
Apps for Teenagers and Adolescents
Exam Stress
This App is for people who suffer from exam anxiety or from feeling stressed during their studies. The app is developed by the Student Counselling Service, who on a daily basis helps students all over the country with psychological and social problems. It derives from many years of experience in helping students to manage their exam anxiety.
Safespot
Safespot is a Scottish mental health App and website for young people. SafeSpot gives you your own personalized coping plan, useful strategies and tools to help manage mental health and deal with any challenges that life may throw at you
Smiling Mind
This is a free Mindfulness App with a wide range of meditations and relaxation tracks for all ages from young children to adults. Just as we eat well and stay fit to keep our body healthy, mindfulness meditation is about looking after the mind. The App also has programmes for sport, the classroom and the workplace.
Apps for Adults, Teenagers and Adolescents
Moodfit
This App allows you to create and track a set of daily goals to help improve mental wellbeing. It also helps you to understand the link between mood and other factors like sleep and exercise, with customised daily goals. Additional features include gratitude, breathing exercises and mindfulness which can all reduce the effects of stress, anxiety and depression.
Smiling Mind
This is a free Mindfulness App with a wide range of meditations and relaxation tracks for all ages from young children to adults. Just as we eat well and stay fit to keep our body healthy, mindfulness meditation is about looking after the mind. The App also has programmes for sport, the classroom and the workplace.
Happy Feed - Apple store only
This is a Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, you record three things that you are grateful for, with the option of uploading photos too. This trains your brain to focus on positive moments. You can look back over your positive moments and photos. Over time, it helps you to appreciate more and feel more positive.
Gratitude Journal - Google Play only
This is a Gratitude Journal. At the end of each day, you record three things that you are grateful for, with the option of uploading photos too. This trains your brain to focus on positive moments. You can look back over your positive moments and photos. Over time, it helps you to appreciate more and feel more positive.
Relax with Andrew Johnson Lite
The App has a simple relaxation exercise that can help you to unwind and de stress.
MindShift CBT
An App that can help you cope with anxiety. Mind Shift will help you learn how to relax, develop more helpful ways of thinking, and identify active steps that will help you take charge of your anxiety. It has a range of strategies to deal with everyday anxiety, as well as specific tools to help you face challenging situations.
Insight Timer
A free app offering 45,000 free meditations, as well as paying courses. The app also features a Timer that lets you meditate for a set amount of time with or without ambient sounds.
Websites
NHS Inform
NHS inform is Scotland's national health information service helping the people in Scotland to make informed decisions about their own health and the health of the people they care for. There is information on a range of mental health and wellbeing topics.
NHS Ayrshire & Arran: Better Health- Mental Health and Wellbeing
This website provides a range of information on how to look after our mental health and wellbeing. There are also links to self help tools and resources to help cope with common problems including low mood, anxiety and stress.
Moodjuice
This website from NHS Scotland offers free, self-help resources (including 12 self-help guides that can downloaded or printed for the most common difficulties such as anxiety, stress or depression).
Moodzone
Practical information, interactive tools and videos from the NHS to help you look after your mental health and avoid common problems like depression, anxiety and stress.
The Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity promoting good mental health for all. This website has a range of information, resources and self help tools.
Aye Mind
Aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of young people by making better use of the internet, social media and mobile technologies. They are working with young people aged 13 to 21 to create and share a wide range of resources. They are also making a digital toolkit for all who work with young people too, to boost their ability to promote youth wellbeing.
Choose Life
Prevention of suicide, and provision of information and support for individuals who are feeling suicidal or worried about someone else.
SeeMe
See Me is Scotland's Programme to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination. This website provides information and support in a wide range of mental health areas.
TEDTalk
For curious minds – short, powerful talks on a range of topics.
Ardrossan Academy Music Feel Good songs
A feel good playlist created by Ardrossan Academy pupils.
NHS 24
In case of an emergency, contact free on 111 or visit website www.nhs24.scot
Online Counselling and Support
Breathing Space (for 16 year olds and over)
Aims to provide an alternative and easily accessible ‘first stop’ service as well as assistance at an early stage in order to stop problems escalating. Contact free on 0800 83 85 87 (Mon-Thurs 6pm-2am, Fri 6pm-Mon 6am)7 or visit website https://breathingspace.scot (webchat available)
Child line
Advice and support (online and over the phone). Contact free on 0800 1111 or visit website https://childline.org.uk/ Free counselling available at www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/
Samaritans
National organisation. Advice and support (online, through emails or over the phone, as well as face-to-face) Contact free on 116 123 or visit website www.samaritans.org/
YoungMind
Part of the NHS. Offers a free, 24/7 crisis service – text YM to 85258 or visit website https://youngminds.org.uk/
Kooth
Free, online, confidential support (incl. 1-to-1 counselling). Visit website www.kooth.com
Give Us A Shout
Text 85258 for 24/7 free support & advice or visit website www.GiveUsaShout.org/
If you have followed the advice and tried the self help tools on the above apps and websites and feel that you need additional support we would encourage you to talk to a trusted individual for example a friend, family member, Yann, the school counsellor or a GP.