Mental Health support

It is estimated that one in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness at any one time and many more of us know and care for people who do.

Mental health problems are common and they affect thousands of people in the UK as well as friends, family and work colleagues. Don’t let perceptions of the social stigma attached to mental ill health stop you from coming forward and getting the help you need.

Mental Health services in Gloucestershire

In Gloucestershire, mental health services fall into three broad categories:

• psychological therapies in GP and community settings
• specialist mental health support in inpatient settings or the community
• services provided by the voluntary sector

Mental health teams offer a range of support to help people recover from mental health issues and conditions, including psychological therapies and interventions, 1:1 support and group work.

There is a wide range of specialist mental health support available to people in Gloucestershire – from support in people’s own homes or in the community, to specialist inpatient support. Services are available for people of all ages, and include specialist services for children. In Gloucestershire these services are primarily provided by Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust. This includes the Gloucestershire Talking Therapies service which offers Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) which is an evidence-based treatment for common mental health problems. The service was previously known as Let’s Talk.

 

Where to get urgent help for mental health

If you need help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.

It’s important to know that support is available, even if services seem busy at the moment because of coronavirus.

If you or a loved one are experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call a local NHS mental health helpline for 24-hour advice and support, access free listening services or view your urgent options here>

If there is an immediate danger to life, please dial 999, or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department. More information about your local NHS crisis teams and other organisations who may be able to help can be found at: www.ghc.nhs.uk/crisis

Alternative options on accessing urgent mental health support is offered on the: the NHS.UK Every Mind Matters urgent support

The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis.

Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the UK. You can call them on 116 123 or visit them online.

Urgent but not an emergency?

If you are not able to speak to your local NHS urgent mental health helpline (0800 169 0398), but you need help urgently, however it’s not an emergency or you’re not sure what to do, the NHS 111 service can help. The NHS 111 online service, or call 111. You may be able to speak to a nurse, or mental health nurse, over the phone who will tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone.

A GP can advise you about helpful treatments and also help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some services.

Coping under pressure

Seeking help is often the first step towards getting and staying well, but we know it can be hard to know how to start or where to turn to. But remember, it is always ok to ask for help – even if you’re not sure you are experiencing a specific mental health problem.

Find out more about mental health and wellbeing and find out how to get help for stress, anxiety or other common feelings here>

If you are feeling weighed down by problems and want help feeling better your first stop should be your GP, where you can find out which therapies and treatments are available.

Find out more about common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression and help that is available here>

The Every Mind Matters website offers a wide range of advice and practical tips  on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing here>

Find out more about additional support available in the county for Young People’s Mental Health

If you have been diagnosed with a mental health problem, the mental health charity Mind has information and advice>

Support for adults with existing mental health problems
If you already have a mental health problem, then you may be finding the COVID-19 pandemic particularly challenging. The following is based on fuller guidance provided by Mind. Rethink has also created an online hub to provide practical support and information that is useful for people living with or supporting people with mental illness.

Speaking to your mental health team
If you are already receiving mental health care, contact your mental health team to discuss how care will continue, and to update safety or care plans.

If you have an existing mental health problem, but are not currently receiving care from a mental health team and feel that you can no longer adequately manage your condition yourself, discuss options for accessing further support with your GP.

Managing difficult feelings or behaviours to do with hygiene, washing or fears of infection
Some mental health problems can cause difficult feelings or behaviours to do with washing or hygiene. If you experience this, you might find it hard to hear advice about washing your hands.

It is important to follow government advice on helping to avoid the spread of COVID-19, but if you find you are going beyond the recommendations, if this is making you feel stressed or anxious, or if you are having intrusive thoughts here are some things you could try:

• let other people know you’re struggling, for example, you could ask them not to discuss the news with you
• breathing exercises can help you cope and feel more in control. You can find a simple breathing exercise on the NHS website and Mind’s pages on relaxation have some tips and exercises you can try
• set limits, like washing your hands for the recommended 20 seconds
• plan something to do after washing your hands, which could help distract you and change your focus
• it could also help to read some of Mind’s tips in their information on obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or advice from OCD UK

Managing panic and anxiety
If you have panic attacks or flashbacks, it might help to plan a ‘safe space’ in your home that you can go to.

You can also find ways to comfort yourself if you’re feeling anxious. For example, Mind has games and puzzles you can use to distract yourself, and breathing exercises that may help.

Managing feelings of being trapped or claustrophobia
You are probably spending more time than usual at home so try to get outside if you can. You could also open the windows to let in fresh air, find a place to sit with a view outside, or sit on your doorstep or in your garden if you have one. It can also help to regularly change the rooms you spend time in, if possible, as this can help to give you a sense of space. 

Alternatively, take a look at the services listed below detailing a wide range of support in the county and beyond. Please be aware that some of the services offered may be reduced or suspended due to COVID-19 restrictions, so visit the sites to check what’s on offer: