Where to go for help as a young person in North Yorkshire | Healthwatch Northyorkshire

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Where to go for help as a young person in North Yorkshire

Blog - 2 May 2025

Looking for support in North Yorkshire? This guide is here to help young people find trusted services, understand their options, and take the first step toward better health and wellbeing.

Not sure who to talk to? Struggling to find the right support? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to figure it all out by yourself. At Healthwatch North Yorkshire, we’re here to help you understand your options and find the right care and advice. Your health and wellbeing matter.

We’re Healthwatch North Yorkshire—your local health and social care champions. We’re here to listen, understand, and make sure your feedback reaches the people who make decisions about the services we all use.

We are here for people of all ages, including young people.

If you use GPs (the doctors), dentists, hospitals, pharmacies, are a young carer, or seek mental health support, eye care, or social care, we give you the platform to speak up and shape better services for everyone in your community.

We also help you find advice, information, and support if you live with health conditions, need treatment, or want to know your options to make the best decisions about your health.

Common health and care challenges for young people

Growing up comes with all kinds of pressures—from school, family and social life, to navigating mental health, hormones, and sometimes serious health conditions. Many young people also find it hard to:

  • Get quick GP appointments or mental health referrals
  • Know who to turn to when they’re worried about something
  • Access support for neurodiverse conditions like autism and ADHD
  • Understand their rights when it comes to healthcare or social care
  • Get help for issues like self-harm, anxiety, or relationship abuse

The good news is, help is out there—and we’ve rounded up some trusted services and friendly support options just for you.

Who can help: National support services

These organisations offer support, advice and guidance to young people across the UK:

General and mental health

  • Childline
    Free support for anyone under 19. Call 0800 1111 or visit www.childline.org.uk
  • Kooth
    Free, anonymous online mental health support for young people.
    Visit www.kooth.com
  • YoungMinds
    Support, advice and a crisis text line for mental health.
    Visit www.youngminds.org.uk
    Text YM to 85258 for urgent help (24/7)
  • The Mix
    Support for under-25s on everything from mental health to housing.
    Call 0808 808 4994 or visit www.themix.org.uk
  • NHS 111
    Non-emergency medical help 24/7. Call 111 or go to www.111.nhs.uk
  • Mind
    Mental health information and local services.
    Visit www.mind.org.uk or call 0300 123 3393

Autism and ADHD

Who can help: Local support in North Yorkshire

Where you live can make a big difference to the support available. Here’s what’s on offer in different areas:

Selby and Ryedale

Scarborough

Harrogate

Hambleton

Craven

Richmondshire

  • Richmondshire Youth Service
    Clubs, advice and support for young people.
    Visit www.richmondshire.gov.uk
  • Richmond Borough Mind Youth Zone
    Wellbeing support for ages 12–25.
    Visit www.rbmind.org

We’re here to listen

At Healthwatch North Yorkshire, we don’t offer medical advice—but we can listen, guide, and connect you to the support that’s right for you.

Call us on 01423 788 128

Email us at hello@hwny.co.uk

Write to us for free (no stamp required) at: Freepost HEALTHWATCHNORTHYORKSHIRE 

Find us on Instagram and X: @HealthwatchNY or on Facebook: Healthwatch North Yorkshire

Your voice matters. Whether you’ve had a great experience or a difficult one, speaking up helps shape better health and care services for everyone.

Share your story online at: www.healthwatchnorthyorkshire.co.uk/have-your-say

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A guide to your local GP practice

Information on how to access GP services, including making appointments, understanding patient rights, managing prescriptions, using digital health tools, and understanding communication and complaints processes.
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