Not feeling safe can mean a lot of things: a tense home environment, toxic friendships, online pressure, or being around people who cross your boundaries. That sense of being unsafe eats into your emotional well-being, leaves you stuck in self doubt, and can spiral into people pleasing, guilt trips, and even self-sabotage. For many young adults and teens, it’s the silent weight behind shame, losing motivation, and long-lasting teen troubles.

In this episode of Headstraight, we get honest about what it really means to feel safe. We’ll talk about identifying unsafe situations, recognising manipulation, and understanding why shame and stop shame spiral moments keep so many of us silent. You’ll hear straight talk on creating physical and emotional distance, reaching out for help, and protecting yourself without apology.

We’ll also cover practical real talk mental health strategies for setting boundaries, finding the right support, and building the self reliance and self esteem that make it harder for unsafe dynamics to control you. When you know how to make better choices and stop cycles of self-sabotage, you start reclaiming your voice—and your safety.

If you’ve ever felt trapped, scared, or powerless, this episode will give you tools to strengthen your teen mental health and remind you that safety and respect aren’t negotiable—they’re your right.

Contacts for Support – If You’re Feeling Unsafe

UK Contacts

• Childline: Call 0800 1111 or visit childline.org.uk for free, confidential support 24/7.
• NSPCC Helpline: Call 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk for advice and support on concerns about child safety.
• The Mix: Call 0808 808 4994 or chat online at themix.org.uk for support tailored to under-25s.

Other Countries

• USA: Call or text the National Runaway Safeline at 1-800-786-2929 or visit 1800runaway.org.
• Canada: Contact Kids Help Phone at 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868; visit kidshelpphone.ca.
• Australia: Call Kids Helpline at 1800 55 1800 or visit kidshelpline.com.au.
• Worldwide: Access Child Helpline International to find a helpline in your country at childhelplineinternational.org.

Want to get involved?
I’d love to hear from you:

• Send me a message → headstraight.co.uk/contact
• Leave me a voice note → headstraight.co.uk/voicemail
• Share your feedback by leaving a review (it helps more young people find the podcast) → headstraight.co.uk/reviews/new

Explore more from Headstraight:

• Read the blog version of every episode, packed with extra insights on self-sabotage, motivation, resilience, and mental health → headstraight.co.uk/blog
• Find out more about me, the host, and why I started this podcast → headstraight.co.uk/about

Need support right now?
If you’re struggling with anxiety, depression, or in crisis, visit our Resources page
for helplines, mental health services, and support options available in the UK and across the world.

Click here to view the episode transcript.