Mental Health and Wellbeing
Information and advice on looking after your mental health and wellbeing
1 in 4 people in the UK will experience problems with their mental health each year. Mental health illness can have a huge impact, whether you are experiencing issues yourself, or you are supporting someone who is.
There is a range of support to help with mental health issues -from speaking to your GP, taking part in a mindfulness session (in Hinckley and Charnwood areas) and discussing your issues with a trained practitioner.
At First Contact Plus we work with the Mental Health Reablement Team (MHRT), the NHS’s Vita Minds service and the Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Services. The MHRT works with people across Leicestershire who need help and encouragement to be part of their community. Poor mental health can reduce a person’s confidence to take part in things and live a normal everyday life. The MHRT works with residents to build their confidence back up and work towards a positive recovery over 12 weeks.
Vita Minds provides psychological assessment and treatment for what are known as mild to moderate common mental health problems. It is normal to experience changes in your mood and behavior at times of stress and emotional upset. Your physical health may also affect your mood and stress levels. If these changes continue to affect you, then the Vita Minds service could help.
Vita Minds provides specialised skilled and accredited practitioners who are able to provide psychological therapies (talking therapies) for people experiencing common difficulties including depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), trauma and stress.
The Mental Health Wellbeing and Recovery Services support people to access information and advice about mental health and local support. They also provide one to one and group personalised recovery support for those people with a mental health condition.
Can’t find the information on the website or need further support? You can fill in our online form below (red self-referral button in the bottom right corner) and we will get back to you within two working days.
Additional information
Urgent
- Mental health central access pointIf you, or someone you care about, need urgent NHS mental health support, call NHS Leicestershire Partnership Trust's Mental Health Central Access Point now on 0808 800 3302. This is a 24/7 free helpline for people of all ages in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland offering urgent support, signposting and referral.
- Neighbourhood mental health cafésThe Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés are part of Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust’s local support for people who need immediate help with their mental health. The cafes are drop in centres for anyone to come and talk about their mental health – no appointment needed. They have supportive, trained staff who can listen and provide the practical support you need. Find your nearest cafe using the website.
- Turning Point - Crisis SupportThe feelings can be overwhelming and feel like a breaking point has been reached. An experienced, listening ear at the right time can make all the difference. Community-based, non-medicalised support for these challenging times can bring about a sense of control again, as well as the opportunity to learn coping strategies to prevent or manage future situations.
Non-urgent
- SamaritansWhen life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit the website.
- VitaMindsVitaMinds provide the free NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service. Anyone aged 16 years and over experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of anxiety, depression, low mood, lack of motivation and comorbid long-term physical health conditions (LTCs) or medically unexplained symptoms can make a self-referral to the service either online or via telephone, no need to contact the GP.
- Nottingham Community Housing AssociationWe offer advice and guidance on mental health and wellbeing for anyone aged 18+ living in Charnwood and Melton. Our recovery focused one-to-one support and group sessions will encourage people to improve their mental health and achieve their personal goals.
- Mental Health MattersThis service helps anyone aged 18+ who is experiencing emotional and mental health problems, as well as their carers, by providing advice, information and support. The service is open to residents of North West Leicestershire and Hinckley and Bosworth.
- Leicester Life LinksA local charitable organisation which offers Community Recovery Mental Health support, including practical coping strategies, interventions and self-help tools. The service is available to individuals aged 18+ who are experiencing elements of poor mental health and live in Blaby, Oadby and Wigston or Harborough Districts.
- The Tomorrow ProjectThe Tomorrow Project is a confidential suicide bereavement service offering 1:1 support for children and adults. All of their services are free and confidential. They are a warm, compassionate, and hopeful team, and are there to support you.
- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS)Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) exists to provide free peer support to adults bereaved by suicide in a timely and open-ended manner so that no one bereaved by suicide has to face their loss alone. They offer a national helpline, peer support groups, email support and a global forum.
- DistrACT appThe distrACT app (aged 17+) is free to download on to smartphones and tablets. It provides trusted information and links to support for people who self-harm and may feel suicidal.
- ShoutOffer a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text 85258 for support.
- SANElineA telephone line for those experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone who is. Call 0300 304 7000 (open between 4pm-10pm, 365 days a year).
- The Silver LineThe Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and support to older people (over 55s), open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Call free on 0800 4 70 80 90.
- Campaign against living miserablyCALM offer helpline services via telephone and webchat (open 5pm-midnight).
- Harmless all age self-harm serviceAll age self-harm service providing support for anyone struggling with or effected by self-harm.
- Supported Self-HelpLeicester, Leicestershire & Rutland Mind offer a guided self-help programme for residents which aims to give people the skills to understand, protect and improve their mental health. This programme offers 6 sessions and referral can be either made by yourself or a professional.
Advice and Wellbeing
- LAMP (Leicestershire Action for Mental Health Project)A local charity providing free community mental health support and advocacy for people living in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
- Loughborough Wellbeing Centre & Café ProjectThe Wellbeing Centre provides a safe and welcoming meeting place for people (aged 18+) who are experiencing or recovering from mental health difficulties.
- Veterans wellbeing hub - loughboroughDelivered by the Loughborough Wellbeing Centre, the Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland veterans wellbeing hub (for all residents ager over 18s and their carers) offers a safe a welcoming weekly drop in session where veterans can access advice and support, group activities and refreshments. Help is also available on a one-to-one basis with a range of issues supported through signposting to additional and specific support services. The drop-in session runs every Friday 10am-1pm at Loughborough Wellbeing Centre.
- Leicestershire Recovery CollegeOffer a range of recovery-focused educational courses and resources designed to contribute to wellbeing and recovery, supporting people to recognise their own resourcefulness and skills in order to become experts in their own self-care and achieve the things they want to in life.
- Mind Side by SideMind's online community that provides a space to be listened to, share, and be heard.
- Farming community networkA voluntary organisation and charity that supports farmers and families within the farming community.
- Farming helpA collection of 3 farming charities that provide confidential help for all the farming community. A helpline is also available.
- You are not aloneYou Are Not Alone (YANA) can help those in farming who may be affected by stress and depression. Helpline available.
- Student MindsA UK student mental health charity. The aim to help students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.
- Student SpaceOffer support for students including through phone, email and webchat support.
- Prisoners FamilyOffenders' families helpline provide support if a family member is in contact with the criminal justice system.
- Buddy2BuddyThe Buddy2Buddy programme provides informal, virtual, drop-in, café style meetings for veterans' run by and for ex-service personnel. The meetings run on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 6-7pm and are supported by the NHS. They are hosted on Microsoft Teams. Email: LPTArmedForces.nhs.net for further details.
- SSAFA, The Armed Forces CharitySSAFA provides financial, practical and emotional support for those currently serving (regulars and reserves), veterans, and their families. Forcesline is a free and confidential telephone helpline, web chat and email service that provides support outside of the military chain of command.
- Op CourageOp COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
- TogetherallTogetherall is a mental health support service that provides: anonymous, round-the-clock online support with trained counsellors a supportive community, including forums for safe conversation free resources to help you improve your mental health All armed forces serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families can access these services at any time.
- Veterans and reserves mental health programmeThe Veterans and Reserves Mental Health Programme is a Ministry of Defence (MoD) specialist service that provides mental health assessments and treatment advice for veterans and reservists. It works closely with the NHS and DMS to provide appropriate treatment. You can usually only access this service if a GP refers you to it. Ask your GP about a referral if you feel your time serving in the armed forces has affected your mental health.
Children and Young People
- Teen Health 11-19 serviceTeen Health is a team of caring and dedicated Health and Wellbeing Officers who work across Leicestershire and Rutland to provide health and emotional wellbeing advice and support to children and young people aged 11-19.
- My Self-ReferralA self-referral website aimed at children and young people under the age of 18, their parents or carers looking for mental health information, support and the ability to complete a self-referral.
- KoothFree, safe and anonymous online support and counselling for young people in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
- ChildlinePrivate and confidential helpline for children and young people under 19. Call 0800 1111
- PapyrusConfidential suicide prevention advice for young people. Call the Hopeline on 0800 068 41 41.
- The MixA friendly support service offering telephone and instant messaging support to anyone under-25.
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Address
First Contact Plus
Public Health Department
County Hall, Glenfield
LE3 8TB
Contact Us
Email: firstcontact@leics.gov.uk
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