Wellbeing and Mental Health Matters: a few places to get support

In the part of the site where we chat about mental health and general wellbeing, a few places that might just be able to offer some help. Hello and welcome to Wellbeing and Mental Health Matters. It’s getting a little frosty out there, so pull on your fleeces and fluffy slippers, and a virtual hug is being sent your way. Last week I wrote about Christmas, and looking for the light at the end of this most odd of years. But I’m also very aware that for many people, there will be little light during the festive period. The other day I saw a young woman at a zebra crossing who looked lost in a world of sadness, and I wanted to just reach out and hug her. But physical hugs and human interaction are limited this year. And for many of you, there is little of good cheer to look forward to. People have lost so much this year, and not of all of it is Covid-19 related. I’m not a mental health professional, just a human. I can offer a sympathetic ear here below the line, or a natter on social media (@Gingerdolly on Twitter, if you’d like to say hello), but there are some issues that my gentle chit chat can’t help. However, there are people out there who can support others with a range of things. Here are a few of them, to signpost you towards help if you are struggling. Never be ashamed to ask for help – we are all human, and there are days for all of us when parts of us fails. There are many brilliant people out there who can lend a sturdy hand tin a time of trouble. Wherever you are, whatever you are up to, I hope you’re doing ok. But remember that as the saying goes, it’s ok to not be ok. I owe a debt of gratitude for this list to the POTS UK charity who compiled them initially. I have Postural Tachycardia Syndrome, and they have helped me greatly during diagnosis, and with managing my condition since I became ill three years ago. They make something scary manageable. Take care, everyone. Suggested UK Based Resources: In an emergency, life threatening situation only, call 999 immediately. 24hrs a day every day. https://www.nhs.uk/…/urgent-and…/when-to-call-999/ — For urgent but none emergency medical attention call 111 (or 0845 46 47 in certain areas of Wales.) 24hrs a day every day. https://www.nhs.uk/…/urgent-and-emergency-care/nhs-111/ — For your local crisis team contact 111 at any time of day and ask for their details. Crisis teams are available to offer support in times of a mental health crisis. This number works in England, Wales (also call 0845 46 47) and Scotland. https://www.nhs.uk/…/urgent-and-emergency-care/nhs-111/ — S.O.S – Silence Of Suicide Phone lines are open 9am until midnight 7 days a week (including every day over Christmas and New Year) Volunteers are waiting to listen to your worries so please don’t suffer in silence. If you are over 18 then call; 0300 1020 505 www.sossilenceofsuicide.org info@sossilenceofsuicide.org — PAPYRUS Young suicide prevention society for under 35’s Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 – (Mon to Fri, 10am to 5pm & 7 to 10pm. Weekends and bank holidays, 2pm to 5pm) Website: www.papyrus-uk.org — Child Line for any issues at all for under 16s 0800 1111 https://www.childline.org.uk — Samaritans Phone UK and ROI 24hrs a day, 365 days a year 116 123 Text 07725 909090 Email jo@samaritans.org Welsh language line 7pm to 11pm 7 days a week 08001640123 https://www.samaritans.org — No Panic 10am to 10pm then pre recorded crisis help after this time 0844 9674848 5p per min Youth 13 – 20 0300 7729844 https://www.nopanic.org.uk — British Red Cross 0344 871 1111 Mon – Fri 8.30am – 5.30pm — Borrow a wheelchair / disability aid line 0300 456 1914 Mon – Fri 9am to 5pm https://www.redcross.org.uk — Mind Mental Health charity info line 0300 123 3393 Mon – Fri 9am to 6pm (closed 25th 26th Dec and 1st Jan and all bank holidays) Text 86463 https://www.mind.org.uk — Re-Think Mental Health 0300 5000 927 10am to 2pm Mon – Fri Email info@rethink.org https://www.rethink.org — The Mix 13 to 25 year olds 0808 808 4994 Their crisis messenger text service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. If you’re aged 25 or under, and are experiencing any painful emotion or are in crisis, you can text MIX to 85258. https://www.themix.org.uk — Anxiety UK Charity providing support if you’ve been diagnosed with an anxiety condition. Phone: 03444 775 774 (Mon to Fri, 9.30am to 5.30pm) Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk — CALM CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35. Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight) Website: www.thecalmzone.net — Men’s Health Forum 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email. Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk — Mencap Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm) Website: www.mencap.org.uk — Beat – for people battling eating disorders. Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) 12pm – 8pm Mon to Fri and Weekends 4pm – 8pm or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s) Website: www.b-eat.co.uk — Cruse Bereavement Care Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm) Website: www.cruse.org.uk — Refuge Advice on dealing with domestic violence. Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline) Website: www.refuge.org.uk — ManKind Helping men escape domestic abuse. Phone: 01823 334244 https://www.mankind.org.uk — Safeline For people affected by or at risk of sexual abuse or rape. Phone: 01926 402 498 https://www.safeline.org.uk — Switchboard LGBT+ helpline Advice and understanding for LGBTQ+ Phone: 0300 330 0630 https://switchboard.lgbt Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt — Financial difficulties and debt: The websites below offer information on where to get benefits advice and financial support. https://www.turn2us.org.uk https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/ https://www.gov.uk/browse/benefits https://www.entitledto.co.uk https://www.nationaldebtline.org https://www.stepchange.org https://capuk.org — If there are any useful resources we’ve missed, please put them in the comments. Take care all x — Thank you for visiting! If you’d like to support our attempts to make a non-clickbaity movie website: Follow Film Stories on Twitter here, and on Facebook here. Buy our Film Stories and Film Stories Junior print magazines here. Become a Patron here.