Links to Mental Health Guidance & Resources

Mental Health Concerns 

There are many things that can affect your mental health, particularly if you are dealing with financial problems. It’s normal and there is help available.

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Services:

If someone is in a mental health crisis and needs urgent help, they can call their local Crisis Team 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. People in North Cumbria can call 0800 6522 865. (Those who are Deaf/hard of hearing can text 0779 565 6226.)

NHS psychological therapies services in Cumbria are still open during the pandemic, and can provide treatments for a range of common mental health problems including depression, anxiety disorders and panic attacks, and post-traumatic stress disorder. You can refer yourself for support, or ask your GP to make a referral for you. For more details:

• First Step North Cumbria visit: www.cntw.nhs.uk/firststep.
• Samaritans If you need to talk to someone urgently the Samaritans are available 24/7 on 116 123 or online at www.samaritans.org

• Mindline Cumbria: offers support and guidance about mental health over the phone on 0300 561 000 or text ‘Mind’ to 810666. You can also go online and chat to trained professionals at www.mindlinecumbria.org
• Togetherall: is a service offering free online support to anyone aged 16 and over in north Cumbria facing increased anxiety and other mental health challenges. You can access Togetherall at www.togetherall.com
  • It provides online peer-peer support, access to an anonymous community and lots of information, as well as courses and resources covering a range of mental health and wellbeing topics.
  • The service can be accessed by registering with your postcode and logging in. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is moderated by a clinical team.
• Kooth: is a free online service for young people over 11. Go to www.kooth.com
• Everylife Matters: have produced a guide to looking after yourself and others. It contains practical information about things you can do now to look after your mental health and wellbeing, and how you can support others. Go to: www.every-life-matters.org.uk or call 07908 537541 They have also produced A guide to looking after yourself and others. If you are worried about someone you know and want to help support them it can be difficult to know the right thing to say or do. The Samaritans and Time to Change have information on their websites to help you start these conversations.
• Bereavement Support: The death of a loved one can be among the most difficult moments that any of us will face in our lives. Because of the restrictions that the COVID-19 pandemic places on us, the difficulties are multiplied. We may not have been able to see our loved one before they died, and we cannot take part in the usual rituals that help us grieve. Because we cannot meet with those that would normally provide support, family, friends or work colleagues then there might be a greater need to contact an organisation for support. You can get specialist support by ringing the Cruse helpline on 0808 808 1677.

Every Mind Matters campaign

On 18 January, Public Health England also launched the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign to support the nation’s mental wellbeing with the message that “When things aren’t so good out there, make inside feel better”.

Aimed at adults but weighted towards those most at risk of mental health problems, the campaign will encourage people to create a free NHS-approved ’Mind Plan’.

The partner resources include a range of materials that will direct people to the Mind Plan tool and Every Mind Matters content on NHS.UK.

The campaign is being supported by councils, the NHS and a range of mental health charities, health organisations as well as other charities and commercial sector partners.

Mind plan: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/your-mind-plan-quiz/

Every Mind Matters: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Hub: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus/