Try a scenario

Explore fictional situations and think about what you might notice, what you might say and how a supportive response could begin.

All scenarios are fictional educational exercises. They do not involve real children and no personal information is entered or stored.

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Trying a scenario

Narrated by Tina Copp

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Fictional case study

Meet Sarah

Explore changes linked with worry or anxiety and think about how a supportive conversation might begin.

Try the scenario

Fictional case study · Self-harm

Meet Jamal

Explore how a parent or carer might respond when they are concerned about possible self-harm.

A content note is shown before any of this scenario appears.

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Fictional case study

Withdrawal and loss of interest

Meet Elliot, a fictional 16-year-old who has been pulling away from friends, football and family life, and think about how you might respond.

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Fictional case study

Low mood

Meet Maya, a fictional 15-year-old who seems less interested in things she used to enjoy, and think about how you might respond.

A content note is shown before any of this scenario appears.

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Fictional case study

Social media and online pressure

Meet Leah, a fictional 14-year-old who enjoys being online but has started to feel comparison and pressure, and think about how you might respond.

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Fictional case study

Talking about suicide

Practise responding when a young person says something that raises concern about suicide.

A content note is shown before any of this scenario appears.

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Need urgent support?

If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now.

For urgent mental-health help that is not an emergency, use NHS 111 online or call 111 and select the mental-health option.

If someone needs to talk now

Samaritans

Call: 116 123 — free, 24 hours a day.

Shout

Text SHOUT to 85258 — free, confidential 24/7 text support in the UK.

If you are a parent or carer worried about a young person

YoungMinds Parents Helpline

Call: 0808 802 5544

Monday, Thursday and Friday: 9.30am–4pm. Tuesday and Wednesday: 9.30am–6pm.

The YoungMinds Parents Helpline is not a crisis service.

Support information last checked: September 2026.