This Mental Health Awareness Week, we have reproduced tips from the Mental Health Foundations on how to thrive with good mental health. You can find out more about the Mental Health Foundations theme of Thriving or Surviving from the Mental Health Awareness Week page on its website www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week.
They also have more information and advice on how to look after your mental health www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health
Mental health help and support services
If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help.
Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)
Email:jo@samaritans.org
Website:www.samaritans.org
Provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.
Mind Infoline
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday)
Email:info@mind.org.uk
Web site:www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines
Mind provides confidential mental health information services.
With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The Infoline gives information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind has around 140 local Minds providing local mental health services.
Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line
Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (10am-2pm Monday to Friday)
Email:info@rethink.org
Website:http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice
Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England and Northern Ireland.
Saneline
Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (6pm-11pm)
Website:www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline
Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.
ChildLine
Telephone: 0800 1111
Email:http://www.childline.org.uk/Talk/Pages/Email.aspx
Website:www.childline.org.uk
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.
Elefriends
Website:http://elefriends.org.uk/
Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. Elefriends is run by Mind.
If you’re a carer needing support you can contact all of the above as well as Carers Direct and the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, both of whom are able to provide support and advice on any issues affecting you.
Live Well Kent
Telephone: 0800 567 7699
Email: info@livewellkent.org.uk
Website: http://livewellkent.org.uk/
Live Well Kent helps people improve their mental and physical health and wellbeing. It is a free service for anyone over 17. Live Well Kent is delivered on behalf of Kent County Council and the NHS by two charities, Porchlight and Shaw Trust.
Release the Pressure
Telephone: 0800 107 0160
Website: www.kent.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/release-the-pressure
Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. We have a highly trained and experienced team waiting to provide you with confidential support to get you back on track.
What should I do if I’m supporting someone in a crisis?
If the person seems really unwell, and you are worried about their safety, you should encourage them to seek help.