Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust’s Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline is encouraging local students to get in touch if they need a listening ear this GCSE results day.

Waiting for the results of recent exams can seem endless and daunting for many people. It is a stressful time in our lives, which we can often spend feeling anxious and overthinking. We all want to achieve the best results and not getting the ones we may have hoped for can mean that we find it difficult to cope.

Lancashire’s dedicated helpline provides a confidential support service for people who are feeling distressed, lonely or struggling with their mental health or just need someone to talk to. The service is open Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm and Saturday and Sunday 12 midday to 12 midnight. The Trust’s Mindsmatter service provides talking therapies for adults aged 16 and over who are experiencing common mental health issues such as anxiety, depression and stress. The teams offer a variety of different interventions and support including stress management courses, development courses, supported online programmes, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and counselling.

Lorraine Khalaf, Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline Manager at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust told QLocal this morning: “Patiently waiting on the results of their summer exams can be a very stressful time for young people, especially when it can affect their options for higher education.

"It is normal to feel anxious ahead of receiving results and we want young people in Lancashire to know that they are not alone. For some young people, the outcome of their results may not be quite what they had expected and this can leave them worried about what the future holds.

“If you are feeling particularly worried or stressed following your results, get in touch with the Lancashire Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline who can provide a listening ear for you to share any overwhelming feelings you may be experiencing.”

For more information about the Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline please call 0800 915 4640 or visit www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/Mental-Health-Helpline