MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND ADVICE - GETTING CHELSEA FANS OVER THE LINE TO A BETTER PLACE
What next on your Mental Health Journey?
Seeing your GP
If you have decided that you need help then a very good starting point might be your GP. It can be difficult to know how to begin a conversation with your GP about your mental health and how you are feeling. GPs are very experienced in dealing with these matters and you should feel confident that there will be understanding. If you need some pointers, this link is very useful in helping you find the ways to start the conversation.
FIND THE WORDS -
https://www.mind.org.uk/media-a/4494/mind-ftw2-eng-web.pdf
Doing further research
Sometimes it helps to explore the issues affecting you and to learn a lot more about mental health and how it may be affecting you.
MIND is a leading UK charity offering a plethora of advice and services.
On their website you will find information about maintaining your mental health and wellbeing.
Talking
Just opening up about how you are feeling can be a big relief. When things get really tough or begin to overwhelm you, it is time to reach out for help. There are several free, (and often 24 hour and 365 day) talking services that you can use when you are in a crisis or feeling particularly overwhelmed. These services are confidential, non-judgemental and anonymous. They are staffed by highly trained volunteers and professionals who have a very wide experience of issues. It is important to remember that these services do not give advice, or solve your problems, but they can begin to explore strategies for coping which may include giving you information about further services that may be specific to any issues you have.
If you are ready to talk and address your issues over the longer term then a counsellor or psychotherapist can help. There are plenty of styles of talking therapy from Psychodynamic, CBT, Integrative, Person Centred, Humanistic and many more. Choose the counsellor and type of counselling that suits you best.
Counsellors and Psychotherapists can be found using the ‘Find a Therapist’ sections of organisations such as:
Telephone services
SAMARITANS
Call 116 123
The link provided explains other ways that the Samaritans can help, including a special self-help app.
CALM
Call 0800 58 58 58.
CALM is particularly targeted to men and offers a 5pm-Midnight support line.
THE MIX
Call 0808 808 4994
The Mix is focused on under 25s and covers a range of issues affecting young people and their mental health. They also offer a text messenger service (see below) and a 1-2-1 chat service.
PAPYRUS
Call 0800 068 41 41.
Papyrus is another service that focuses on younger people (under 35s) Their telephone service is from 9am to midnight.
Texting services
Many people find it difficult to speak on the telephone for a variety of reasons. This could be nervousness or an inability to find full privacy. A couple of the organisations above feature this service. Some are entirely focused on texting. There is a real person at the other end of the line and these conversations are confidential and anonymous.
SHOUT 85258
Text SHOUT to 85258
Shout is a 24/7 texting service that is free and confidential. This video explains how it works: https://youtu.be/UpCI8FMtouY
Mental health support if you are LGBTQ+
The NHS website has some excellent resources:
Veterans seeking mental wellbeing support
Information and useful services for veterans seeking mental wellbeing support:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/veterans-seeking-mental-wellbeing-support
ANDYSMANCLUB
ANDYSMANCLUB are a Men’s Mental Health Charity – Offering free-to-attend talking groups for men and challenging the stigmas around Male Mental Health.
https://andysmanclub.co.uk/about/
Twitter
@andysmanclubuk
Substance/alcohol abuse
Alcoholics Anonymous
https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Helpline 08009177650
OK Rehab
OK Rehab specialises in addiction treatment. This treatment is available via both inpatient and outpatient treatment providers. It is a paid for service.
Freephone: 0800 326 5559
