The 2026 BRIT Challenge will start on
26th January 2026 & will finish on 26th December 2026
"PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is delighted to continue our partnership with The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) and welcomes the opportunity to work collaboratively with other partner charities who share a common goal of supporting students to have the best mental health and stay suicide-safe.
By working together we will raise greater awareness of the vital support which is available and engage with young people who are struggling to regain their self-esteem and self-worth.
Money raised by universities and colleges, taking part in the BRIT Challenge, who choose PAPYRUS as their second charity, alongside BRIT, will pay for potentially life-saving calls, texts and emails to our confidential HOPELINEUK service, which offers support and advice to young people who are struggling and anyone who is worried about a young person who may be having thoughts of suicide.
Fundraising also helps PAPYRUS to engage with local communities and volunteers in suicide prevention projects and supports the training we deliver to individuals and groups.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK and we must reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour. Together we must continue giving hope to young people who are struggling with life - https://www.papyrus-uk.org".
Ged Flynn
Chief Executive
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide offers confidential advice and support if you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, and information about how to make a safety plan.
Its helpline service - HOPELINE247 - is available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.
Call: 0800 068 4141
Text: 88247
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
If you’re under 19 you can confidentially call, chat online or email about any problem big or small.
Call: 0800 1111 (Available 24-7 free to call).
You can also sign up for a Childline account on the website to be able to message a counsellor.
Sign up for a free Childline locker (real name or email address not needed)
to use their free 1-2-1 counsellor chat and email support service.
Can provide a BSL interpreter if you are deaf or hearing-impaired.
BRIT LINKS
Over many years, we have had the privilege of working closely with a wealth of incredible charities and advisors. As we are not a charity that provides clinical mental health support, this page is designed to both signpost and raise awareness of organisations that can assist young adults, students, and staff, who may need support.
111
To get urgent mental health advice from the NHS, call 111 and select the mental health option.
111 will tell you where you can get help. They may also be able to put you through to a trained mental health professional over the phone.
111 can support anyone who is feeling unsafe, distressed or worried about their mental health.
They can also give information and advice about what to do if you're worried about someone else.
If you would rather get help online, you can use 111 online.
Opening times: 24/7
General Practioner (GP) Surgeries
Help from your Doctor can be accessed by calling your local GP Practice who can provide support and medical advice.
If you need urgent care and are not registered with a GP where you are, you can request an emergency appointment or a temporary location appointment.
If they are not open, their answerphone messages will be redirected to an Out of Hours GP service or an emergency number to call.
Find a GP near you here.
We believe a collaborative approach is vital to support and improve young adult, student, and staff, mental health, fitness, and wellbeing throughout the UK.
At the heart of BRIT’s ethos, and the BRIT Challenge, is to encourage University, College, and Students’ Union, fundraising for local, regional, and national charities.
We very much hope that institutions throughout the UK will give consideration to supporting the charities listed on this page.
If you feel as though you or someone else is at risk of immediate medical help or attention, please call 999 immediately or visit Accident & Emergency (A&E).
SPORT PARTNERS AND
SPECIAL RELATIONSHIPS
Our aim of delivering inspiration to students and young adults at universities, colleges and specialist colleges is through the support of our BRIT Ambassador family.
We are inviting Sporting Governing Bodies to encourage their Olympians, Paralympians and elite athletes from all sports to join our BRIT Ambassador family, promote the BRIT Challenge at a university and/or college of their choice, help destigmatise mental health and champion equality, diversity and inclusion.
These inspirational Ambassadors will inform us of which university or college they will visit during the annual BRIT Challenge (every February). We will then introduce the Ambassador to the institution’s BRIT Challenge Point of Contact. There are approximately 450 universities, colleges and specialist colleges in the UK, so partnering with Sporting Governing Bodies will assist in encouraging their current and retired sports personalities to join us. We will also ask the institutions themselves to encourage their sporting alumni to take part and consider joining our BRIT Ambassador family.
“The British Olympic Association (BOA) Athletes’ Commission is delighted to share its support of the British Inspiration Trust’s inspiring annual BRIT Challenge initiative to improve young adult mental health and fitness.
We understand that living a more isolated lifestyle has had an impact on the lives of young adults and students throughout the UK; particularly feelings of loneliness, the ability to socialise, play or take part in sport, train together and maintain good mental and physical health. Our British athletes will understand the importance of sharing their lived experience and providing encouragement and support.
The BOA Athletes’ Commission appreciate that many young adults and students are living with mental health challenges and that there has never been a more important time to deliver inspiration. We wholeheartedly encourage our fellow British athletes to support the annual BRIT Challenge by joining the BRIT Ambassador family, visiting universities and colleges of their choice, and encouraging student and staff participation. If visits are not possible, we hope that our fellow British athletes can support BRIT by providing inspiring video messages for young adults and reaching them through social media.
Almost 150 British athletes and British Sporting Icons have already united and joined the BRIT Ambassador family. This collectively powerful support will undoubtedly have a positive UK-wide impact on improving and supporting young adult mental health, raising positive awareness and helping to raise vital funds for local, regional and national charities.”
Ben Hawes
Olympian
Former Chair of the British Olympic Association (BOA) Athletes’ Commission
EDUCATION PARTNERS
To deliver our aim of supporting and improving young adult and student mental health and fitness, we need every University and College Leadership Team and every Students' Union in the UK to invite and encourage their students, and staff, to take part in the annual BRIT Challenge.
We believe the success of the annual BRIT Challenge requires a whole university, college and community approach to supporting and improving young adult and student mental health and fitness.
To invite and encourage their members to champion The British Inspiration Trust’s aims and the BRIT Challenge, we are delighted to have partnered with Education Governing Bodies who share our vision.
Their Chief Executives & Chairs are inviting every University Vice-Chancellor and College Principal to embrace the BRIT Challenge and engage their Leadership Teams to enter teams, help champion the opportunity for their students and staff to take part and encourage participation.
The NUS also have also partnered with us to encourage every Students' Union to enter teams in our annual BRIT Challenge in order to maximise student participation, help destigmatise mental health and champion equality, diversity and inclusion.
“The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT)’s annual BRIT Challenge is a great opportunity for every college in the UK to participate in an inclusive wellbeing initiative that provides the flexibility to decide on; when (between the days of the BRIT Challenge) they take part; what wellbeing initiatives can be delivered to support students and staff; a specific area of mental health they would like to destigmatise (LGBTQI+, Anti-Racism, Disability Inclusion, Body Image); what Volunteering/Acts of Kindness in the Community projects they would like to complete; and which local, regional or national charity, they would like to raise funds for, alongside BRIT.
The BRIT Challenge has evolved by listening to students and staff to ensure that it; further supports and improves student and staff wellbeing; complements other mental health initiatives; can support ongoing curriculum activities; and provides evidence to support colleges to share the positive impact they have within their communities.
Good For Me Good For FE is delighted to have forged a partnership with BRIT and we very much hope all our College Partners will embrace the BRIT Challenge and use our Good For ME Good For FE toolkit to measure impact of their participation. We have pledged our support to BRIT for the next five years with the aim of growing the BRIT Challenge and encouraging every college in the UK to take part; together we could have an extraordinary impact on our communities, students and staff.”
Liz Lake
Development Director
London & South East Education Group (LSEC) and Good For ME Good For FE lead with BRIT
The Samaritans offer a confidential service so you can talk to someone.
Call: 116 123 (available 24-7 free to call)
Email: jo@samaritans.org (response time 24hrs)
“Every day, Samaritans volunteers respond to around 10,000 calls for help. We’re here, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope and who needs someone to listen without judgement.
We are delighted that The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) continues to highlight our services through their work with universities, colleges, Students' Unions and the Charity, Education and Sport Sectors. Improving the mental health and fitness of young adults in the UK has never been more important.
I hope that university and college teams taking part in the BRIT Challenge will choose Samaritans as their second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT. Donations will enable us to continue to deliver support to those who need us”.
Julie Bentley
Chief Executive Officer
Samaritans
Shout provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
Text: SHOUT to 85258.
Shout provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.
Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Opening times: 24/7.
“We are proud that The British Inspiration Trust has chosen to champion Shout 85258 as it works in collaboration with charities supporting the important issue of the mental health of young adults and students.
At Shout we provide free and confidential 24/7 support by text for anyone struggling to cope and would encourage anyone who needs immediate help to text SHOUT to 85258 to speak to a trained volunteer."
Victoria Hornby OBE
Chief Executive
Mental Health Innovations
Student Minds have a clear vision: No student should be held back by their mental health.
They empower students to build their own mental health toolkit to support themselves and their peers through university life and beyond.
Student Minds challenge the higher education sector, health sector and government to make student mental health a priority.
Find the support for you
Whether you are looking for mental health advice and services, support for a friend or loved one, or resources you can share with your students, help is available.
I am a student
Explore advice and information to support you through the uncertainty of student life.
I am a friend
Look after a mate, while remembering to look after yourself, with their advice on supporting a friend.
I am a parent
Explore support available to parents, carers and guardians to help your child through the challenges of student life.
I am a professional
Access resources and programmes to help students and the wider university community.
“We are delighted to continue working collaboratively with the British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) who share our passion for transforming the state of student mental health so that all in higher education can thrive.
Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity and we would be honoured to be chosen by universities, taking part in the BRIT Challenge, as their second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT. Please visit our website to see how we empower students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change; https://www.studentminds.org.uk“.
Rosie Tressler OBE
Chief Executive Officer
Student Minds
Charlie Waller are one the UK’s most respected mental health charities, founded by the family of Charlie Waller, who died by suicide in 1997 whilst suffering from depression.
They provide mental health training and resources with a focus on children and young people. Charlie Waller equip parents, carers, teachers and communities with the best and latest evidence-based strategies. They give them the knowledge and confidence to help young people thrive.
Empowering those who support children and young people is at the heart of their work. Charlie Waller want to ensure that no one feels alone on that journey.
Find out more about Charlie Waller’s Mental Health Resources and Training & Support here.
“We very much admire what The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) is trying to achieve through their collaborative approach; we are particularly excited about the potential of the annual BRIT Challenge in helping support mental wellbeing in further education colleges, which work with some of the more disadvantaged young people in our society.
I hope that colleges throughout the UK will choose the Charlie Waller Trust as their second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, so that we can continue to deliver support at this critical time. For further information on the support we deliver, please visit our website; https://charliewaller.org“.
Clare Stafford
Chief Executive Officer
Charlie Waller Trust
(Scottish Action for Mental Health) – for Scotland’s Mental Health
Whether you’re seeking support, are looking for more information for you or someone you love, or if you just want to have chat about mental health, SAMH are here to help. You can also speak to an advisor through their Live Web Chat which will pop up when an advisor is available.
Available: 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday
Phone: 0344 800 0550
Email: info@samh.org.uk
“BRIT’s vision to improve young adult, student and staff mental health and fitness resonates with our own vision. We applaud them for the delivery of the annual BRIT Challenge in Scotland, which is an inclusive event for students and staff of all abilities, and a great way to improve physical and mental wellbeing.
BRIT have made the inspiring decision to invite every team taking part in the BRIT Challenge to choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, and we hope Scottish university and college teams will choose SAMH as their second charity. This will help fund our work in over 60 communities with adults and young people; providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others. These services together with our national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.
We wish every Scottish university and college team the very best of luck as they take on the BRIT Challenge.”
Billy Watson
Chief Executive
SAMH - for Scotland's mental health
YoungMinds is leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
If you are a young person and need support with your mental health, visit youngminds.org.uk. If you are a parent or carer worried about a young person, visit youngminds.org.uk/parent or contact the Parents Helpline on 0808 802 5544.
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger provides crisis support across the UK.
Text: YM to 85258
(Available 24/7. Texts are free from most networks).
The Parents Helpline is free and open Monday to Friday. Parents can call: 0808 802 5544
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from 9.30am - 4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.
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from 9.30am - 6pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offers a suicide prevention helpline for anyone affected by suicide of suicidal thoughts.
Call: 0800 58 58 58
(Available Daily 5:00pm – midnight free to call).
Beat provide helplines for eating disorders which are open between 3pm and 8pm (Monday to Friday).
Call: 0808 801 0677 (England).
Call: 0808 801 0434 (Northern Ireland).
Call: 0808 801 0432 (Scotland).
Call: 0808 801 0433 (Wales).
Email:
help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (England)
NIhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (Northern Ireland)
Scotlandhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (Scotland)
Waleshelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (Wales)
Follow this link to Fundraise For Beat
We are delighted to have forged a special relationship with Expert Self Care, Feeling Good, and The Foundation for Positive Mental Health, who provide apps to support and improve mental health and wellbeing.
“Expert Self Care are delighted to have entered into a special relationship with The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT). Their approach to champion other charities and support services is both innovative and inspiring.
I am delighted that BRIT will be providing an area on their websites to signpost students and staff to apps available that can support their mental health, including our Expert Self Care apps, and we look forward to promoting the annual BRIT Challenge and encouraging every university, college and Students’ Union to enter teams.”
Dr Knut Schroeder
GP and Health Information App Developer
Founder & Director, Expert Self Care Ltd
Honorary Senior Clinical Lecturer, Centre for Academic Primary Care, University of Bristol
The distrACT app is free and gives you easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
The content has been created by doctors and experts in self-harming and suicide prevention.
Who is it suitable for?
Anyone over the age of 17 who's concerned about self-harming.
How does it work?
The distrACT app aims to help you better understand urges to self-harm, and encourages you to monitor and manage your symptoms. It can also help reduce the risk of suicide.
There's advice and support information, including emergency contact numbers, how best to work with healthcare professionals, and safer alternatives to self-harming.
In the app's Chill Zone, you can find resources that may help you feel better, including art, books, films, music, poems, quotes, stories and online videos.
How do I access it?
distrACT is free to download from the App Store and Google Play.
The distrACT App
APPS
The
Positive Student Planner
The Positive Student Planner, from Samaritans x Positive Planner, is the first dedicated student wellbeing journal. Co-created with students and student mental health expert Dr Dominique Thompson, it’s a screen-free way to tackle the overwhelm student life can bring.
"I have spent most of my professional career as a GP working with students, and I have seen a significant rise in anxiety, loneliness and perfectionism, leading to an increasing need for support from staff in universities and colleges. That is why I was so happy to be part of developing the Positive Student Planner. It is a wonderful, creative and supportive new way for students to help themselves day to day, whilst allowing them to develop life skills around dealing with challenges."
Dr Dominique Thompson
Young people’s mental health expert
The
Positive Student Planner
The Positive Student Planner, from Samaritans x Positive Planner, is the first dedicated student wellbeing journal. Co-created with students and student mental health expert Dr Dominique Thompson, it’s a screen-free way to tackle the overwhelm student life can bring.
What to expect from The Positive Student Planner:
A new wellbeing journal backed by experts, specifically designed to support students both emotionally and practically. It helps you tackle things like independent living, budgeting, meeting new people and balancing work and fun. It guides you to develop coping mechanisms for tough times, and positive wellbeing habits that will benefit you in the long term. Take a look inside the planner here.
Sales of the planner will help Samaritans continue to reach anyone struggling to cope.
Order yours here, and use the code PositivePlanner15 at checkout for a 15% student discount.
Or if you work at a university, college, or Student Union and are looking to make a bulk order you can do so here.
"It has helped with my anxiety as I feel more in control of my time and ensure I prioritise myself as well as my studies. This has made me more productive and feel better mentally. It's made me feel a lot happier, less anxious and more relaxed as I can visually see what I've achieved, what I need to do and what things I can improve on. It's also helped me balance my work and social life as it helps me recognise I need to have 'me time' and not just focus on uni work. Overall, I really enjoy The Positive Student Planner and would recommend it to any student, particularly if they struggle with anxiety or time management problems.”
Tina, 20, University of Kent
BRIT CHARITY PARTNERS
"Adferiad Recovery are honoured to have entered into a special relationship with The British Inspiration Trust (BRIT) ahead of the annual BRIT Challenge, which is being delivered to support and improve young adult, student and staff mental health and fitness throughout the UK. As an organisation working with people facing complex life challenges, we know that if we support our young people well, we can provide them with the resilience to face those challenges. In order to do this our educators and support staff are key.
BRIT’s outstanding vision to deliver the annual inclusive BRIT Challenge is a great opportunity for students and staff of all abilities, throughout Wales, to participate through many different activities.
Every team taking part in the BRIT Challenge can choose a second charity to raise funds for, alongside BRIT, and we hope Welsh university and college teams will choose Adferiad Recovery as their second charity. This will help fund our work to support people with mental health problems – with a special emphasis on those with a serious mental illness – and their carers and families. We also support others with a range of disabilities and their carers and families.
We wish every Welsh university and college team the very best of luck as they take on the BRIT Challenge.”
Alun Thomas
Chief Executive
Adferiad Recovery
"Providing appropriate and timely support to young adults suffering from mental health issues is vital and I am encouraged to see BRIT working in partnership with charities operating in this area.
BRIT is works well with organisations and institutions across the education, sport and charity sectors – all three areas close to my heart.
The BRIT Challenge is again up and running, and I hope universities and colleges will think about taking part."
Professor Sir Simon Wessely GCB MA BM BCH MSc MD FRCP FRCPSych FMedSci FKC FRS
Regius Chair of Psychiatry, King’s College London.
Past President of the Royal Society of Medicine and Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Former Chair of the government’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act.
Everything they do at Olly's Future is in memory of Olly Hare. They were devastated when they lost him on 14th February 2017, aged 22, and came together to celebrate his amazing life and create a legacy of hope. All their young trustees are friends of Olly.
Olly's Future - Vision
A world where no young person loses their life to suicide.
Olly's Future - Mission
By sharing Olly’s love and light we can help stop our amazing young people from losing their lives to suicide.
The charity has four aims:
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To develop and deliver suicide prevention initiatives, particularly for young people.
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To work with and support other organisations with the same aims.
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To promote well-being, in particular through the arts.
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To provide suicide prevention training and initiatives to medical students and health professionals that help them save more lives from suicide.
To find out more about how the charity can help you and how you can help the charity, please visit:
![Olly's Future Leadership Programme 2024[89].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb5f0d_6a1fde74366847a6987e3e6b35b63427~mv2.jpg/v1/crop/x_16,y_14,w_605,h_848/fill/w_328,h_459,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Olly's%20Future%20Leadership%20Programme%202024%5B89%5D.jpg)
Dr SAMS (Suicide Awareness in Medical Students) is being rolled out at medical schools across England and Wales to all first-year medical students.
The aim is for the doctors of tomorrow to take better care of themselves so that they will take better care of their patients.
Olly’s Future is delighted to have received funding from the British Medical Association for this initiative since 2020.
To find out more, please visit:
![DR SAMS ONE PAGER[9].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/fb5f0d_ec70789b7ff64db5b4dc5d400be85c6a~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_328,h_450,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/DR%20SAMS%20ONE%20PAGER%5B9%5D.jpg)