Mental Health

No mental health need is the same from one person to another. We all have a range of mental health needs during our lifetimes, as children, adults and older adults. It can include the worries and grief that we all experience as part of everyday life. It can also include serious events or diagnosed mental health conditions for which we may need to seek specialist help. Some of us are able to cope with these worries, stresses and life events without formal help. Some people might need support from friends, family or colleagues whilst others may benefit from specialist mental health input. Mental health needs can affect anyone, of any age or background and at any time of our life.

Carers who support people with mental health needs like family and friends might also need support from time to time.

Below is some advice on how you can help yourself and where you can go for support.

There are things that you can do yourself, such as: 

• visit the One You "Every Mind Matters" Mental Health page for expert advice and practical tools, such as personalised action plans, to help you manage a range of mental health problems.

You could also:

• follow the Five Ways to Wellbeing - simple things you can do in your everyday life to improve your mental wellbeing
• Download the Solent Mind Wellbeing App
• read 10 Ways to Look After Your Mental Health from the Mental Health Foundation
• find free resources to help you de-stress from the Stress Management Society
• find out more about mental health from NHS Live Well
• borrow books on the Reading Well prescription scheme - These are self-help guides. They are selected by mental health practitioners to help with common mental health problems. 
• contact your own GP. They may refer you for further help. This could be to a local Wellbeing Centre or to a specialist local Mental Health team who will arrange any help or care that you might need
• visit The Princess Royal Trust for Carers website for information for carers
• use the Wellness Recovery Action Plan, a simple self-management tool for creating positive change in the way that you feel
• find out about 'Mindfulness' from the NHS or the visit the Mental Health Foundation's online mindfulness course. Mindfulness has been recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
• find local and national support in our community directory
  
  

Looking after your body

Physical health goes hand in hand with mental health. Being active improves your mental health.  You can find many local sports and exercise opportunities in our community directory.  You can also find information and resources to help with health matters such as losing weight, smoking and drinking on our Health and wellbeing page.

• iTalk is a free service for patients with depression, anxiety or stress which is delivered in partnership between Solent Mind and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. It is for patients aged 16 and over who are registered with a GP in the following areas of Hampshire: Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Bordon, Eastleigh, Fareham, Gosport, Havant, the New Forest, Petersfield, Romsey and Winchester. 
  
  
• TalkPlus offers a range of treatments to people who are experiencing symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression, low mood, panic, phobias or OCD. It is available to people who are registered with a GP in the following areas of Hampshire: Yateley, Fleet, Farnborough, Blackwater, Aldershot or Farnham. It is free to anyone who accesses it. 
  
  
• Mind Solent have a support line for anyone in Hampshire who is feeling low or anxious and needs someone to talk to. 023 8202 7810.

You can also search our Community directory, and filter by your area, for mental health services accessible to residents in your area.

• The Mental Health Foundation - news, information on problems, treatments and strategies for living with mental distress.
• MIND (National Association for Mental Health) - for information on all aspects of mental health problems.
• SANE - information sheets and booklets
• CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a charity dedicated to preventing male suicide. They offer support, information and signposting to men anywhere in the UK through their helpline and web chat service.  
• Bipolar UK - self-management courses and local support groups.
• Rethink Mental Illness - expert advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.
• Shaw Trust - training and work opportunities for people who are disadvantaged in the labour market due to disability or ill health.
• Together – for Mental Wellbeing
  
  

Specialist help

• Southern Health provides a range of specialist mental health services.
• Surrey and Borders Partnership also provide mental health services (for North East Hampshire only).
  
• Perinatal Mental Health service offers specialist assistance to women with antenatal or postnatal mental health problems. Knowing Me, Knowing You is a 6-week specialist support course for new mums struggling with anxiety and low mood.
  
• Information from Tommy’s can help with planning a pregnancy when you have a severe mental health illness.
  
• Southern Health Adult Eating Disorder service provides assessment and treatment for people with anorexia, bulimia, binge-eating and some atypical eating disorders. For those living in Hart and Rushmoor, the service is delivered by Surrey and Borders Partnership.

Counselling

You may wish to consider private counselling.  We list qualified counsellors in Hampshire in our Marketplace directory.

• The NHS 111 Mental Health Triage Service provides advice, support and guidance, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Call 111 or visit www.111.nhs.uk
  
  
• Information from Southern Health about support you can access if you are experiencing a mental health crisis
  
  
• For people living in NE Hampshire, see information from Surrey and Borders partnership
  
  
• Safe Havens are centres that provide a safe and supportive environment for those experiencing, or seeking to prevent, a mental health crisis. 
  
  
• Aldershot Safe Haven
  
  
• Fareham, Gosport, Havant, East Hampshire and Portsmouth - The Harbour
  
  
• Farnborough - The Oasis 
  
  
• Fleet - Sasha's Project (for 13-25 year olds)
  
  
• Havant and East Hants Safe Haven
  
  
• North and Mid Hampshire Safe Haven
  
  
• Southampton - The Lighthouse
  
  

See also our information about Suicide Prevention.

Wellbeing is about:

• feeling healthy and happy
• having the inner resources to respond to difficult circumstances
• being able to adapt and engage with other people and the world around us.

Mind runs wellbeing centres in Hampshire's towns and cities to provide short-term, outcome-focused support to individuals with mental health problems. They are friendly and welcoming places with an informal atmosphere.

The centres provide workshops, courses and other support on many mental health issues. These include:

• self-esteem and resilience
• depression and anxiety
• stress management
• addictions and mental health
• anger management.

Contact your nearest centre to find out more about their programme.

Andover wellbeing centre
Basingstoke wellbeing centre
Eastleigh wellbeing centre
Fareham and Gosport wellbeing centre 
Farnborough wellbeing centre
Havant and East Hants wellbeing centres
New Forest wellbeing centres
Portsmouth wellbeing centre
Romsey wellbeing centre
Winchester wellbeing centre

Adults' Health and Care Mental Health and Substance Misuse Teams work together with the Health Service's Community Mental Health Teams and deal with people's social care needs alongside their health needs. They help people in the community, whether they have just become ill, have a short-term illness, or need on-going support. Further information and contact details for teams.

• You may be entitled to a council tax exemption or support to pay your bill if you have a mental health illness. 
  
  
• Mind has practical tips on managing your money and improving your mental health
  
  
• Money Savings Expert, supported by Mind, Rethink, CAPUK and others, have developed a guide - Mental Health and Debt - for people with mental health problems and those caring for them.
  
  
• Mental Health and Money Advice has practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money.
  
  
• Money Helper has a Money Problems and Mental Wellbeing guide. 
  
  
• Breathing space is a new government scheme which is designed to give you time to receive debt advice and find a solution to sort out your debt problems. Eligibility criteria apply. 
  
  
• If you are receiving mental health crisis treatment and struggling with problem debt, the Mental Health Crisis Breathing Space scheme has been set up to create time and space for you to get the treatment you need, without having to worry about your debts growing or your creditors contacting you during your treatment. (Hampshire County Council residents can submit a referral form here).

See our Money worries page for more information.

Sleeping well is essential if you are to stay well and feel good. It is especially important if you lead a busy life, are coping with illness or stress or if you are caring for someone else. Our mental wellbeing can seriously impact our sleep.

If you are having sleep problems, it is important that you understand what is causing this and take steps to sleep better.

• Every Mind Matters has advice and tips to help you sleep better
  
  
• The Mental Health Foundation also has information to help you improve your sleep.
  
  
• TalkPlus have produced a video - Getting better sleep
  
  
• The National Sleep Helpline is a confidential service that offers trained sleep advisers, Sunday - Thursday, 7pm - 9pm. Call 03303 530 541
  

• The Sleep Charity has information and advice to help you with: 
  - Your sleep environment
  - Signs of  sleep deprivation
  - Shift work
  - Road safety fatigue
  - Sleep disorders
  - Sleep hygiene

• There are also apps and online programmes  you could try, such as Sleep Cycle,  Sleepstation, Sleepio

If your sleep problems are affecting your health or daily life, you should peak to your GP.

Contact your GP if you are you concerned about:

• mood swings
• agitation
• memory loss or confusion
• withdrawal.

You can also contact the NHS 111 service which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can speak to a trained adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you questions to assess your symptoms and direct you to the best medical care.

Futher help:

- Mental Health Foundation – How to look after your mental health in later life
- Age UK – Your Mind Matters
- The Silver Line – helpline for older people

You may find it useful to read about dementia and the signs that could be early symptoms of dementia. Spotting the signs of dementia early means you can get the right treatment and support as soon as possible.

The Message in a Bottle service encourages people living on their own to keep their basic personal and medical details in a small plastic bottle in the fridge. If the emergency services come to your home, they can quickly find vital information about your health. Bottles are funded by local Lions Clubs and are free to users. Ask your local GP surgery or pharmacy for details.

The Men’s Health Forum is a charity supporting men's health in England, Wales and Scotland. You can find fast, free independent advice online as well as manuals and free downloads.

Man Gang is a network of men in Hampshire who believe that it is not weak to speak. Support is provided via regular group meet-ups and Zoom meetings.

UK Men's Sheds are community spaces for men to connect, converse and create.

Mental health problems such as depression or self-harm can affect any of us, but they're more common among people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT+).  See NHS advice, including support organisations.

If you, or someone you know, may be having suicidal thoughts, please see our Suicide Prevention page for help and advice.