Where can I access support if I am being bullied, or if I need mental health support?

Sadly, we know as many as 40-60% of children experience teasing and bullying about their stammer. These experiences can have a significant impact on your mental health and wellbeing. You may be experiencing the bullying in-person or online. Please know that you are not alone, and that there is support available. 

In this article, we share some of the ways that you can access support. 

Speak with an adult

It’s important that you don’t feel alone. Reach out to someone you feel you can talk to - your parent/guardian, a teacher, your speech and language therapist or another trusted adult and tell them what is happening. 

Ask about support available at school 

You can ask your teachers about any bullying, confidence-building or mental-health support initiatives that are in place at your school, and how to access them.

Contact a helpline 

The charities below provide wellbeing information and support as well as specific help for bullying. 

They offer free helplines where you can get in touch to chat through any difficult experiences or feelings. Some of them offer the option to chat with them by typing out messages if you would prefer not to speak on the phone. 

• Bullying help and advice from Young Minds
• Bullying and cyberbullying advice from Childline
• For urgent help, visit Young Minds

Mental Health Services

If you’re experiencing ongoing feelings of sadness or anxiety and feel like you might need to access professional support, you/your caregivers can speak with your GP, Speech and Language Therapist or your school’s Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator and ask them to make a referral to a mental health professional for you. 

Support at ASC

Many young people who stammer have said they’ve felt empowered by meeting others who share their experiences, and that it has boosted their confidence and reduced their feelings of isolation. We run a number of programmes that bring young people together, such as our residential group therapy courses, our Youth Panel and Mentoring Schemes. Reach out to our Support Hub Advisor for more information. 

We also know that better understanding of stammering can reduce negative attitudes and bullying. In this section, you can read more about ways to increase stammering awareness at your school. We can offer you and your school support with this too, so do get in touch.