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Mental health

Hands holding a felt heart shape

Having good mental health is important. It helps us to cope with life’s challenges and uncertainties, and how we feel about ourselves. Having good mental health isn’t about feeling good all of the time. There are ways that you can look after your own mental health, as well as local and national support that is available to help.

Mental health and recovery

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:

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:

Did you know?

Physical health goes hand in hand with mental health. Being active improves your mental health.  You can find many local exercise opportunities and way to get moving 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.

A group of adults hiking in the mountains smiling
Support organisations local to you:
  • NHS Talking Therapies Hampshire is a free service for patients with depression, anxiety or stress which is delivered in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Solent Mind. 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.

National organisations:
  • 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

Counselling

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

Support organisations local to you:
  • NHS Talking Therapies Hampshire is a free service for patients with depression, anxiety or stress which is delivered in partnership with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust and Solent Mind. 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.

National organisations:
  • 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

Counselling

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

Organisations who can help you if you are experiencing a mental health crisis:

See also our information about Suicide Prevention.

Organisations who can help you if you are experiencing a mental health crisis:

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

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.

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.

See our Money worries page for more information.

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.

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

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.

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.

Further 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.

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.

Further 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.

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.

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.

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

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