Mental Health Resources 💚
Along with launching the Mental Health Matters collection to raise money for Royston - I wanted to provide resoruces for helplines, charities and any other services that will aid you in your time of need. If you feel like you are in a crisis and need someone to speak to, the following list has been curated by mind.org.uk to help. No one is going to judge you, so if you are struggling then please reach out. Mind are a wonderful charity which offer a lot of information to help you when you need it. Along with the helplines I have listed below, they have a website full of tools that you can use: please click here to see.
- Samaritans: to talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123. (7pm–11pm every day).
- SANEline: If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm–3:30am every day).
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
- Shout: If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
- The Mix: If you're under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK: If you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
- Nightline: If you're a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
- Switchboard: If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
- C.A.L.L.: If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text 'help' followed by a question to 81066.
- Helplines Partnership: For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. Mind's Infoline can also help you find services that can support you. If you're outside the UK, the Befrienders Worldwide website has a tool to search by country for emotional support helplines around the world.
- Andy's Mans Club: an organisation set up to help men. You can find groups to attend to on their website. They meet on Monday's at 7pm, except on bank holidays.
- ManUp have also created a list of helplines and services which you can find here.
- Kick Start FC: Jessica from Kick Start FC contacted me to tell me about an amazing charity she works for based in Wiltshire. They will be offering free courses virtually and in person such as mental health awareness, suicide prevention support etc. They have a facebook page and have said all messages are welcome.
The waiting lists for therapy on the NHS are so long and it can feel so daunting. If you are in a position to wait, I do urge you to speak to your GP but I am under the impression the wait times can be between 12-24 months which sadly is quite a severe time. Another option is funding your own therapy, if you are in a position to do so, there are lots of amazing people out there who can help you. Therapy is not a one size fits all, sadly you sometimes have to trial a few therapists to find the one that works for you. Companies such as Better Help offer these services, but there are other websites too that show you the list of therapists in your area. Google therapists in your area, read the reviews and reach out to them to see if they can help you.
Please take care of yourself, the world is a scary place and sometimes it feels there's no hope but believe me when I tell you there is.