One in four people will experience a mental health problem in any given year, research suggests, with 90 per cent of those making primary care their first port of call for help.
Therefore we want to empower you by giving you the tools, advice and access to clinicians to support your mental health.
Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one this page offers you detailed information on mental health provision and support across West Cheshire.
Need urgent help?
If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse or deteriorates, this can be called a ‘mental health crisis’. In this situation, it is important to get help quickly.
Please call 0800 145 6485 and Cheshire and Wirral Partnership’s (CWP) dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need. The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people.
It is operated by people in your local area who will know how best to support you. If you call NHS111 you may have to wait longer for help and will be re-directed to this local service – so call 0800 145 6485
You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance.
Help in a crisis, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Need support with how you’re feeling and your mental health?
There are a number of support networks available to you without the need to speak to a healthcare professional. We have listed a number of those available to you, but if you feel your are getting worse and need to speak to some please see the information below on accessing mental health support from a clinician.
Silvercloud
SilverCloud is our online self-referral option that will enable you to access a programme full of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) techniques for anxiety and depression. It allows people to complete therapy in their own time, at a time and pace that suits them, whilst having regular weekly or fortnightly online reviews with a qualified mental health practitioner. If appropriate for you, the SilverCloud programme can be tailored to your specific needs. It offers access to a number of different modules that provide information about depression and anxiety and tools and skills to manage these more effectively. SilverCloud is particularly useful for individuals that have a busy lifestyle and would struggle to attend regular appointments during the day. If you would like to self-refer, please follow this link.
RE:SET
The RE:SET programme offered by Chapter Mental health is a series of 6 weekly workshops aimed at supporting patients to better manage their mental health and wellbeing. Through each workshop they will learn techniques and strategies to better manage their wellbeing, develop resilience, and help them to feel confident about staying well. For more information visit www.chaptermentalhealth.org/reset
Severe & Enduring Mental Health Support
Aspire: this referral is for mental health professionals and GPs to make referrals to Aspire, Chapters severe and enduring mental health support project. The project is open to people aged 18 and over who live across the West Cheshire and Chester area with a severe and enduring mental health diagnosis. They only accept referrals from mental health professional or GPs so please discuss this with your GP if you feel that you would benefit from this programme. https://chaptermentalhealth.org/referrals
The End of Life Partnership – resources for the public
This source of information is a resource for anyone who is looking for information about death, loss and grief and support available within Cheshire. This information has been updated in light of the covid-19 pandemic to include information specific to the current situation http://eolp.co.uk/resources-for-the-public/
Cruse Bereavement Care
Grief is a natural process but it can be devastating, Cruse are there to support you after the death of someone close. They can be contacted on 0808 808 1677 www.cruse.org.uk
Support after Coronavirus
Coronavirus Wellbeing Support
This resource is for people with a diagnosed mental health condition who require wellbeing support during the coronavirus outbreak. The service is open to people 18 or over who live within the West Cheshire area. This is a self-referral form and can be accessed via https://chaptermentalhealth.org/referrals
Your COVID recovery
Supporting your recovery after COVID-19: if you find yourself recovering from COVID-19 you may still be coming to terms with the impact the virus has had on both your body and mind. These changes should get better over time, some may take longer than others, but there are things you can do to help. Your COVID Recovery helps you understand what has happened and what you might expect as part of your recovery. https://www.yourcovidrecovery.nhs.uk/
COVID Recovery – Family, Friends and Carers
If a family member or close friend has been in hospital with COVID infection, this will have been a very stressful time for you, as well as for them. You probably felt very anxious and feared the worst at times, made harder by the visiting restrictions at the hospital and not being able to see your relative to offer them comfort or explain what was going on. You won’t have known the hospital staff caring for your relative and you probably had limited access to medical information and updates when you wanted a full understanding of what was happening. Support is available to family, friends and carers via their website.
Supporting those in work with their mental health
Access to Work Mental Health Support Service
The Access to Work Mental Health Support Service is a confidential service delivered by Remploy and you can self-refer via 0300 456 8114 or via [email protected]. Their trained experts will help you with:
- Nine months of work focused mental health support, matched to your needs
- Suitable coping strategies
- A support plan to help you stay in, or return to work
- Workplace adjustments
- Getting support from your employer, if you’d like them to
To qualify you need to:
- Be in permanent or temporary employment (attending work or signed off)
- Have a mental health condition that has made you miss work, or is causing difficulties to remain in work
Further information can be found on their website.
Supporting your mental health through online services
YoungMinds
YoungMinds are leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. They’re here to make sure you get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties. You can access support through: https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/
SANE Emotional Support
SANE provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Their mental health support services are confidential and offer non-judgemental and compassionate emotional support. They have a team of mental health professionals and trained volunteers available to create a space where you feel safe to talk about things that are most affecting you. They also make time so you can think together about the options available to you. http://www.sane.org.uk/support
Calm
Calm is an app for sleep and meditation and users have found that they are experiencing better sleep, lower stress and less anxiety www.calm.com
Need to talk to someone about your mental health
How to talk to your GP surgery about your mental health
Talking to a someone about your own mental health can be difficult and Hope Farm Medical Centre has a number of solutions for you.
If you feel very worried about your mental health or are considering taking your own life, you should talk to someone immediately. Please ring Hope Farm Medical Centre on 0151 357 3777 during opening hours or alternatively the Samaritans offer completely confidential emotional support 24 hours per day: call 116 123 (for FREE) or email: [email protected]
If you’re noticed changes in the way you’re feeling or thinking recently that may give you cause for concern or distress it is important you seek help as soon as possible. Some of the most frequently experienced symptoms of poor mental wellbeing can include:
- Loss of appetite
- Feeling low or constantly anxious or worrying
- Thinking negative thoughts about yourself
- Irritability or moodiness
- Finding it harder that usual to concentrate
- Not enjoying your life as much as you once did
- Finding day-to-day life difficult (not feeling up to washing or eating, for example)
- Trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
- Seeing or hearing things that other people do not hear or see
(Source: www.mentalhealth.org.uk)
If you recognise symptoms of any common health problem and are worried, or if you feel that something isn’t right but you can’t put your finger on why it is important that you speak to someone at Hope Farm Medical Centre. We know that it can be daunting to speak to someone that you may not know well about your mental health, but most people find that speaking to their doctors surgery to access help and support from them can make all the difference to their lives.
Social Prescribing Link Workers (for patients aged 18+ years)
You do not need a GP appointment to speak to our Social Prescribing Link Worker team, a member of our Patient Services Team can refer to them directly for you, just ask at reception or over the telephone. The Social Prescribing Link Workers can help with a number of ways for you:
- Support with housing and/or finances
- Gaining or losing weight suddenly
- Low mood
- Anxiety
- Lacking in confidence
- Loneliness
- Changes in employment status
- Long-term unemployment
- Change or breakdown in relationships
Young Person’s Social Prescribing Link Workers (for patients aged 5-18 years)
You do not need a GP appointment to speak to our Young Person’s Social Prescribing Link Worker team, a member of our Patient Services Team can refer to them directly for you, just ask at reception or over the telephone. The Young Person’vs Social Prescribing Link Worker can help with a number of ways for you:
- Emotional resilience
- Physical activity
- Smoking cessation
- Healthy eating
- Health related school attendance
- Behaviours and relationships
- Lifestyle related matters
Your GP
If you feel that you need more support than what the Social Prescribing Link Workers can offer, then your GP may be able to help. If you speak to your GP about your mental health concerns they can:
- Ask questions about your feelings and thoughts that may help you better understand what you are going through and what support is available
- Offer medication if it’s appropriate and in your best interests
- Offer free talking therapies
- Recommend simple lifestyle changes that can improve your mental health
- Invite you back for another appointment in a few weeks’ time to see how you’re doing
- Refer you to a specialist is they think that would be more helpful
Please refer to the ‘How to talk to your GP about your mental health’ guide from the Mental Health Foundation to make the most of your GP appointment. You can download & view the PDF guide, or visit their website.
Domestic violence support
People have the right to be safe in their homes and relationships. No one, whatever their gender, sexuality, age, culture, race or disability should suffer domestic abuse. If you are thinking about leaving an abusive relationship and are worried about your safety or the safety of your children, you do not have to suffer alone. There are people who can help, and you can take steps to stay safe.
- If you or anyone you know is in immediate danger telephone the police on 999. If it’s not safe to speak dial ‘55’ during the call to let the operator know you are in danger.
- For non-emergency police matters telephone 101.
Domestic Abuse Intervention and Prevention Team (DAIPS)
The domestic abuse intervention and prevention service (DAIPS) offer a confidential service for male and female victims. This is for anyone aged 16 years and over. If you are experiencing domestic abuse and are at risk of serious harm from intimate partners, ex-partners or family members call 0300 123 7047 option 2. Their staff (Independent Domestic Violence Advocates or IDVAs) will support you and they will assess the level of risk and discuss the range of options open to you. You will develop a safety plan together they will work with you to help you take back control of your own life.
Refuge
Advice on dealing with domestic violence can be accessed via 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline) or www.refuge.org.uk
Gambling Support
Gamblers Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hour)
Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Gam-Anon
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme is for those affected by someone else’s gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 08700 50 88 80
Website: www.gamanon.org.uk
National Gambling Helpline
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
Website: www.begambleaware.org
National Problem Gambling Clinic
A specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers aged 13 and over.
Phone: 020 7381 7722 (callback)
Website
Drug misuse support
Cocaine Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 612 0225 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Website: https://cocaineanonymous.org.uk/
FRANK
Free, confidential information and advice about drugs, their effects and the law. FRANK’s live chat service runs daily from 2pm to 6pm.
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Website: https://www.talktofrank.com/
Marijuana Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using marijuana with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 124 0373 (call-back service)
Website: http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org.uk/
Narcotics Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using drugs with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 999 1212 (daily, 10am to midnight)
Website: www.ukna.org
SMART Recovery UK
SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK (9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Website: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/