We all have mental health and it’s just as important as our physical health. Being mentally healthy doesn’t just mean that you don’t have a mental health problem. If you’re in good mental health, you can:
- Make the most of your potential
- Cope with life
- Play a full part in your family, workplace, community and among friends.
In this section you will find information about:
There are five simple things we can do to take care of ourselves and promote our wellbeing, whether we have a diagnosed mental health problem or not. These are:
- Social interaction – connecting with or keeping in contact with the people around you and developing these relationships. This includes with your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
- Being active – Any kind of regular exercise, whether walking, riding a bike or playing a team sport. If you can develop a hobby or take up a sport or other activity then it will improve your physical health and thereby your mental health and it will give you a focus.
- Learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. This could be anything you like, whether musical, mechanical, artistic.
- Giving – even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.
- Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Learn more in Mindfulness for mental wellbeing.
To celebrate UK Older People’s Day 2016 we collaborated with local film-maker John Sutton from Clearwater Photography, to create short films about 3 of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing. Watch the ‘Full of Life’ films.
We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us. Find out more information about types of mental health problems.
Mind is a national charity providing information and advice. They also have a supportive online community called Elefriends for people over 18.
Young Minds is the UK’s leading mental health charity for children and young people.
Self-help methods include self-help books and online services which are convenient, cheap and you can do it in your own time and when it suits you.
MindEd for families is a free online NHS resource providing advice and support you can trust. Is your child in crisis? Are you worried about them? Perhaps you just want some parenting tips. This site will help you understand and support your child.
MindEd for volunteers and professionals is a free educational resource on children and young people's mental health for volunteers and professionals. This is for you if you volunteer, work or are studying to work with infants, children or teenagers. MindEd has e-learning applicable across the health, social care, education, criminal justice and community settings. It is aimed at anyone from beginner through to specialist.
GPs are there to help you with any problem related to your mental health as well as physical health. They can refer you to a broad range of services, depending on your need.
Urgent help
If you feel in need of immediate help and are in distress or crisis, contact your GP in the first instance. If you cannot contact your GP, you can contact the NHS Out of Hours service on 111 (free to call, 24 hours).
If you need to talk things through you can contact:
- Samaritans: 116 123 (free to call, 24 hours)
- Sane Line: 0845 767 8000 (6pm - 11pm every day)
If you feel at risk of harming yourself or others, are experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress, and you live in the North East Hampshire & Farnham area:
- Call the Mental Health Crisis Helpline on 0300 456 83 42 and speak to someone trained to help you manage your distress and keep you safe. Available evenings (5.00pm – 9.00am), with 24h cover at weekends and bank holidays.
- Adults can visit a ‘Safe Haven’, an out of hours drop-in service for anyone experiencing a mental health crisis or their carer. Safe Havens are available at Aldershot, Guildford and Woking. Information about locations and opening times can be found here.
- Adults can visit The Oasis, a drop in only service for people in mental health crisis or the prevention of a mental health crisis. The service also offers support with drug and alcohol issues. At Just Wellbeing, 86 Cove Road, Farnborough, Hants, GU14 0EU. Open 6.30 - 9.30pm seven days a week including bank holidays.
- Young people aged 10 to 17 can visit The Young Persons Safe Haven, Hillside Road, Aldershot. Open between 6.30pm and 8.30pm from Tuesday to Friday and the same time on Sunday. No appointment is needed. A free helpline is also available within these hours: 0800 061 4132.
In an emergency phone 999.
If you feel at risk of harming yourself or others and you live in the North Hampshire area:
Go straight to your nearest Accident and Emergency department or contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org.
In an emergency phone 999.
Support for adults
Talking Therapies
- What does the service provide? Free access to approved therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
- Who is the service for? Anybody aged 16 and above who is feeling stressed, anxious, low in mood or depressed.
- How can I access the service? You can talk to your GP about whether the IAPT service is right for you, or you can contact the service directly.
There are two services in the Hart area:
If you are registered with a GP practice in Fleet, Church Crookham, Crondall, Blackwater or Yateley you can access the TalkPlus service.
If you are registered with a GP practice in Odiham, Hook or Hartley Wintney, you can access the italk service.
Wellbeing Centre Hart and Rushmoor (provided by mcch)
- What does the service provide? Supports people with mental health needs in their recovery journey including engaging with groups in the community, employment support, wellbeing and emotional support.
- Who is the service for? People who are experiencing difficulties with their mental health wellbeing and would like support in their recovery.
- How can I access the service? You can speak to your GP or Community Mental Health Team (if already in contact with one), or contact the Wellbeing Centre direct on 01252 338810 or email r.webster@mcch.org.uk.
North East Hampshire & Farnham Recovery College
You can enrol if you are registered with a GP practice in Fleet, Church Crookham, Crondall, Blackwater or Yateley.
The Recovery College can support you to improve your health and wellbeing and pursue your own unique life goals, with or without the ongoing symptoms of an illness or condition.
Courses are aimed at everyone aged 18 and over in the North East Hampshire and Farnham area and delivered in a variety of locations. Whether you want to improve your health and wellbeing, have a physical or mental health condition that you want to learn how to manage, or care for someone who has a physical or mental health condition, there are courses for you.
- Develop skills such as learning to sleep well or getting into work
- Build your confidence and learn how to manage low self-esteem
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle with Pilates, seated exercise or healthy eating courses
- Explore your creative side with art, music or creative writing
- Learn more about physical and mental health conditions
To find out more look at all courses on offer, email Recovery.College@sabp.nhs.uk, or phone 07920 207046 and ask for the Recovery College.
The Recovery College
You can enrol if you are receiving support from the italk service or mental health services from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, or if you have received support from these services within the previous 2 years.
The Recovery College takes an educational approach to equip you with the knowledge and skills to get on with your life, despite mental illness.
Enrolment takes minutes and the Recovery College offers courses all over Hampshire. You only need to enrol once and then you can book onto our courses over the phone 02380 294461 or by email recovery.college@
southernhealth.nhs.uk. For more information visit the website.
Sunshine and Showers groups
- What does the service provide? Local depression and anxiety support groups.
- Who is the service for? People with mild to moderate depression or anxiety.
- How can I access the service? Visit the website, telephone Megan Ravenhill at Hart Voluntary Action 01252 815652 or email admin@hartvolaction.org.uk.
Fleet OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) & BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) Support Group
- What does the service provide? We aim to support, educate and raise awareness during our monthly meetings. Every 3 months we invite a speaker to come and talk about relevant issues. The group is user-led and professionally supported by the national charity OCD Action. First Wednesday of every month 7.00 - 9.00 pm, at The Key Centre, Elvetham Heath.
- Who is the service for? People with OCD and/or BDD and for their families, friends and carers.
- How can I access the service? Contact Angela Forster on 01252 819431 or email ocdfleet@gmail.com.
Community Access Project
- What does the service provide? Friendly, impartial advice on coping with a wide range of daily living activities including: keeping appointments, socialising and hobbies, encouraging good housekeeping skills, information seeking, and other personal goals. Support to return to education and access other services.
- Who is the service for? People aged between 18 and 65, living in Aldershot, Farnborough and Fleet areas. You can access the service if you are experiencing mental distress and you do not have support from any other mental health worker or receive any one-to-one support from other agencies.
- How can I access the service? Telephone 07894 606244 or email broadhurstcap@hotmail.co.uk.
Relate North Hampshire
Offers a range of counselling services to couples and individuals including relationship and sex therapy, youth counselling and family counselling. Visit their website to get in touch.
Cornerstone Counselling
Cornerstone is a counselling service based at St Peter’s Church, Yateley. The service offers short and longer term confidential support to individuals and couples, irrespective of religion, ethnic origin, gender or sexual orientation.
St John’s Open Door
St John's Open Door is a drop-in initiative in the West Cove area of Farnborough. They offer a listening ear, a place to be accepted and valued, a place to make friends, signposting to other services, refreshments and a relaxing atmosphere. No referral is necessary. Meetings on the first 3 Wednesdays of every month at 6pm.
Other types of mental health service
For information about Community Mental Health Teams and other mental health services:
If you are registered with a GP practice in the North East Hampshire & Farnham area find services near you here.
If you are registered with a GP practice in the North Hampshire area find services near you here.
These services should be accessed via your GP.
Support for children, young people and their parents/carers
Hampshire Youth Access
Hampshire Youth Access (HYA) is a partnership of 12 leading agencies providing counselling, information, advice, and support to children and young people aged 5-17 across Hampshire. They also give advice and information to anyone concerned about a child or young person’s emotional wellbeing. To get in touch call 02382 147 755 or email enquiries@hampshireyouthaccess.org.uk.
Open Monday to Friday between 10am and 6pm, open Saturday from 10am to 1:30pm.
Hampshire CAHMS Service
Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are made up of specialist teams offering assessment and treatment to children and young people up to age 18 who have emotional, behavioural or mental health problems. You can talk to a GP, teacher or social worker about getting an appointment with them if you think you need specialist support. You can also approach CAHMS yourself by calling 0300 304 0050. Their trained mental health staff will talk to you about the issues you are having and how they, or one of their partner organisations, may be able to help. Full details and a referral form available on their website.
Open Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
The Hampshire Specialist Parenting Support Service
The service provides parenting programmes for parents/carers who have children aged 5-17 that meet any one of the following criteria
• Are diagnosed with an Autistic Spectrum Condition (ASC) or
• Are diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or
• Are displaying troubling or challenging behaviours associated with mild-moderate conduct disorder or
• Are teenagers displaying anti-social behaviour including child to parent violence
The service accepts referrals from professionals or self-referral from parents/carers of children who meet the criteria. For more details or to discuss making a referral call 01489 799178 or email hampshireparenting@barnardos.org.uk.
Dementia
Dementia is not a single illness but a series of symptoms caused by the degeneration of the brain and the subsequent gradual loss of mental ability. A person with dementia will primarily experience problems with memory, understanding, judgement, thinking and language.
It is common for other problems to be caused by the condition, such as changes in personality and in the way a person interacts with others in social situations. As dementia progresses, a person's ability to look after themself from day to day may also become affected.
For more information about dementia visit the Alzheimer’s Society website.
Support for people with dementia, their family and carers
Andover Mind
Andover Mind helps people with dementia and their carers, family and friends to get the appropriate support from first diagnosis throughout their illness. They provide dementia advice services in Basingstoke, Deane and Alton; Hart Rushmoor; Eastleigh, Winchester and Romsey as well as in Andover.
To get in touch call 01252 624808 or email dementiaadvicehartrushmoor@andovermind.org.uk.
Alzheimer’s Society Blackwater Valley
Local branch of the Alzheimer's Society covering Hart and Rushmoor Districts. Services include dementia support workers and information and guidance. Singing for the Brain Group in Hartley Wintney and support groups in Aldershot, Fleet and Yateley.
To contact them call 01256 363 390 or 07900 240829, or email blackwater@alzheimers.org.uk.
The Royal British Legion Admiral Nurses
The focus of the service is to maintain independence and improve the quality of life for carers and families of people living with dementia and to provide the practical advice they need. If you, or the person you are caring for, are serving or have ever served in the Armed Forces, they may be able to help.
Get in touch by calling 02382025787.
Day Care Centres catering for people with dementia
- Frogmore Day Care Centre – 01252 876055 (Monday to Friday - transport available)
- Rosefield Day Centre for the Elderly , Odiham – 01256 393604 (Tuesday to Thursday - transport available)
- Hill House – Dementia Day Care Centre, Ewshot 01252 850236 (Monday to Friday)
Dementia Cafes
Forget Me Not Café, St John’s Church, Hartley Wintney – Every Tuesday afternoon 2pm to 4pm for people with dementia and their carers. Meet carers support professionals in an informal setting.
Sunflower Café, The Old School, London Road, Odiham – Every Wednesday 2pm to 4pm for people with dementia and their carers. Pop in for coffee or tea, for cake and a chat, for games and puzzles. All free and no need to book. For more information contact Elaine by emailing sunflower@outlook.com or calling 07553881474.
Daisy Chain Cafe The Monteagle Hall, Yateley - the last Monday of every month 2pm to 4pm or people with dementia and their carers. Pop in for coffee or tea, for cake and a chat, for games and puzzles. Contact walshs@ntlworld.com or call Yateley Town Council on 01252 872198.
Alzheimer Café UK – One evening per month in Farnborough with a speaker each time focusing on different dimensions of dementia. Meetings held on the 3rd Friday of the month from 6pm to 9pm except August.
Befriending
Alzheimer’s Society Group Befriending – Are you newly diagnosed with dementia? Would you like to meet others for coffee, chat and activities? You can join in various activities and meet at different venues, depending on the activity. For more information and for a referral form contact Jane Essery on 02392 892026 or 07801133668, or email Jane.essery@alzheimers.org.uk.
Support for carers
Support for carers can be found at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Hampshire.
Support for young carers is available from Hart and Rushmoor Young Carers.
