by Joe Winfield

NewsMay 27, 20210 comments

What Support is There for Mental Health?

What Support is There for Mental Health?

Looking after your mental health is essential for your wellbeing and general happiness. This, however, is often easier said than done! Understanding when you need a bit of support is a significant step in the right direction.

For those that struggle with their mental health, there are a plethora of great resources that aim to help you through a range of situations.

Our work as a dedicated Devon charity and trust makes us keenly aware of how important and beneficial it is to have access to a range of mental health organisations that listen to you no matter what.

Below, we discuss how you can seek support and what kind of resources are available to those that need it.

Seeking Support When You Need it

Seeking support is an important first step that often feels like a big hurdle to overcome.

It’s common to be unsure about reaching out when dealing with mental health challenges but accessing the resources that are right for you can help you feel empowered about making positive changes in your life and solidify that you don’t have to feel alone.

The mental health organisation Mind state that you may want to consider seeking help if you:

• Find that you are worrying more than normal.
• Feel that you are enjoying your life less.
• Experience thoughts or feelings that are difficult to cope with and have an unwelcome impact on your day-to-day life.
• Feel you want to access further support or treatment.

Even if you are not sure whether you are experiencing a specific mental health problem, you can and should always find resources to support you, whether this means talking to a mental health professional, accessing resources from a dedicated organisation or reaching out to a friend.

Talking to Others

It may sound like a generic piece of advice, but talking to others and opening up can be of genuine value when you feel like you’re struggling.

Reaching out to people you can trust and are close to can help when you’re discussing your initial options and deciding how to move forward.

If you feel you cannot talk to a friend or family member, there are many organisations out there that will listen to you and guide you to further resources.

Mental Health Charity Helplines and Organisations

In the past few years, we have seen a concerted effort to destigmatise talking about mental health and those that struggle with it. Thanks to the work of vital organisations and the individuals behind them, people who require support, whether they need an empathetic ear or are in crisis, have plenty of places to turn to.

The NHS provides a useful A-Z list of charities, organisations, helplines and support groups, covering a range of specialities and advice.

Below, you can find a more detailed look at some of these brilliant resources.

Mind

Mind provides information and support, aiming to empower those that are experiencing mental health problems while championing understanding and the improvement of mental health services.

You can access their helpline by calling 0300 123 3393 or emailing info@mind.org.uk.

Find out more about what they do and how they can help on the Mind website.

Samaritans

For immediate emotional support, the Samaritans helpline provides someone to listen to those that need to talk.

No matter how big or small your problems feel, you can call their helpline 24 hours a day at 116 123 or get in touch with someone via jo@samaritans.org.

To find out more, visit the Samaritans website or see their own list of valuable sources to find specialised support for a particular issue.

Rethink

This organisation works to transform the lives of those affected by mental illness and change the way mental health struggles are viewed.

You can call their advice line on 0300 5000 927 or email advice@rethink.org.

Again, the Rethink website is full of expert advice, information and further resources to support anyone affected by mental health problems.

Carers Trust

Carers can, of course, reach out to any of the previously mentioned charities, but Carers Trust is another resource dedicated specifically to supporting carers health and wellbeing.

Find out more on the Carers Trust website.

Turning to Your GP

If you would like to talk to someone in person, your GP can be your first port of call when seeking formal help. Some mental health services may require a referral, which a GP can take care of.

If you’re struggling with more serious mental help problems, a GP can help by:

• Making a diagnosis.
• Offering advice on treatment like therapy or medication.
• Referring you to a psychiatrist or mental health specialist.
• Recommending other support options you could benefit from.

Treating ourselves kindly and embracing even the smallest victories is vital when improving our mental health and seeking the right kind of support. If you are struggling, take a look at the resources we have mentioned here or speak to a healthcare professional for tailored advice – you are never alone in your challenges.

Here at Calvert Trust Exmoor, we are dedicated to supporting individuals of all abilities on our accessible activity breaks. We provide a fun and supportive environment to help our guests build confidence, gain independence and discover new experiences.

If you’d like to support the work we do, find out how you can get involved or make a donation!