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Addressing the pressure to be perfect toolkit

Find tips to help your child support a friend or a love one that may be struggling online and places to seek more support.

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What’s on the page

What to do in an emergency

In an emergency, contact authorities

If someone is in immediate physical danger, please contact the police or other immediate local authority services such a CEOP for help.

The Shout free text line is also available 24/7 and totally anonymous unless you need to contact emergency services to keep you or someone else safe.Text SHOUT to 85258.

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Learn how to report self-harm content on social networks.

See guide

Know the signs to watch for in others

People may communicate their feelings in different ways, but there are things that can give you clues to their emotional state. Here is a list of things you could look out for:

  • They’re not acting like themselves
  • They are taking more risks than usual
  • They talk about feeling hopeless
  • They’re taking more drugs or drinking more
  • They are harming themselves
  • They don’t feel like hanging out as much
  • Their mind seems to be somewhere else
  • They are so anxious they can’t relax
  • They’ve gotten negative about life

Everyone has some bad days, but if you notice someone exhibiting any of the above behaviours repeatedly, the tips below can help you figure out what to do. Alternatively, there are a number of organisations to reach out to such as:

Support and counselling services

  • Childline – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything [Phone icon] 0800 1111
  • The Mix – offers a range of advice and  support for under 25s – 0808 808 4994
  • Papyrus – Charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide – 0800 068 41 41
  • Samaritans – 24 hour confidential listening and support- 116 123
  • Mind Infoline provides an information and signposting service that is open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
  • YoungMinds – Offer a free helpline for confidential, expert advice
  • Kooth.com – Free and anonymous online support for young people open Monday – Friday from 12pm – 10pm

How to reach out 

Asking questions like “Have you talked to anyone else about this?” can be ways to see if they have support in the other parts of their life. Childline has some good guidelines for this or share resources like the Shout.

How to report something

We encourage young people who are worried that someone may be thinking about hurting themselves to report this to let Instagram us know so they we can help connect them to information and resources.

There are teams all over the world working 24 hours a day, seven days a week to review these reports. The poster will not know who made the report, but they will get help the next time they open the app.

How to report self-injury

  • Tap the three dots above the post,
  • Then tap Report.
  • Select “It’s Inappropriate > Self injury.”

For more support visit Instagram help centre


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