Who to contact in a mental health crisis

If you are in crisis in the first instance contact

• The Samaritans – phone 116 123 (this is a free call)
• the Intensive Support Team – if you are currently being supported by Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Trust phone 0117 378 4250
• your doctor (or out of hours service)

If you are concerned someone is in immediate danger contact the police or ambulance service on 101 or 999

There is lots of support out there in the form of helplines, text support and online

• Calm – dedicated to preventing male suicide, call 0800 58 58 58 or they have a webchat
• Mind – call 0300 123 3393
• Sane – call 07984 967 708 or email support@sane.org.uk they also provide a Textcare service
• Shout – text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 text support
• Young Minds – I am parent – call the parents helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday – Friday 9.30am – 4pm) or they have a webchat
• Young Minds – I am a young person – If you need someone to talk to about how you’re feeling, text ”YM” to 85258
• ChatHealth (11-19) – ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging service enabling young people aged 11-19 to contact a School Nurse about a range of issues including emotional health and wellbeing, relationships, stress and anxiety, self-esteem, bullying, smoking, drugs and alcohol and sexual health. This is not an emergency service. The ChatHealth text messaging service is available (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) and the number to text is 07312 263093. For more information visit: ChatHealth | Community Children’s Health Partnership (cchp.nhs.uk) 
• Mindline – Bristol Mindline has launched. It is a confidential helpline that anybody in Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos can call if they need emotional support. The line is staffed by highly trained volunteers who will listen, support callers, and help them to work through their feelings. Visit their website here or call them on 01172034419. Lines are open 7pm to 11pm, Wednesday to Sunday.

If you are depressed or anxious your doctor may be able to help you or refer you to other services, including specialist services for people experiencing severe mental ill health.

If you have any general questions about mental health in South Gloucestershire please contact mentalhealth@southglos.gov.uk

Mental Health Services available to residents

A downloadable list of mental health services available to residents is available below:

Mental Health services for residents - download PDF

Loneliness

Loneliness can affect us all, young, or old and can happen at any time, even if we aren’t expecting it. The Every Mind Matters page has a list of ways to reduce feelings of loneliness, as well as telephone numbers and websites, where you can find things to do for yourself, or to help others around you, feel less lonely.

Loneliness - The Every Mind Matters page

Wellbeing courses and taster sessions

There is a wide range of free mental health and emotional wellbeing support available for those aged over 18 who live in South Gloucestershire or who are registered with a South Gloucestershire GP practice.

We offer a variety of free courses and taster sessions. The aim is to boost your feeling of wellbeing in a positive environment as well as helping you to learn new skills, meet new people and make friends. Sessions include:

• Mindfulness
• managing anxiety
• creative arts
• gardening

Wellbeing Courses and taster programmes

Volunteer opportunities

We also coordinate a team of volunteer Health Ambassadors and Health Buddies, who are interested in different aspects of health and want to lead healthier, happier lives as well as helping others to do the same. For further information, or if you are interested in volunteering as a Health Ambassador, please go to the Southern Brooks website. For information about other volunteering opportunities in South Gloucestershire, visit our volunteer page.

Volunteer as a Health Ambassador or Health Buddy Other volunteer opportunities

Information about services and events

• The Well Aware website covers a huge range of topics and has an extensive database of more than 6,000 local and national organisations and services, and a calendar of events in your local area.
• You can find further information about South Gloucestershire mental health services on the mental health pages on the South Gloucestershire Council website.
• For services and groups that support children and young people’s mental health, see the Mind You website.

South Gloucestershire Mental Health WellAware Mind You

Secondary and specialist care

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership (AWP) have a range of specialist teams supporting people experiencing acute mental ill health. They are accessible via the Primary Care Liaison Team (PCLS) which in turn can only be referred via your GP.  The specialist teams include:

These include:

• inpatient care at facilities such as Whittucks Road and Callington Road
• specialist unit at Southmead for issues such as post-natal depression or eating disorders.

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership

Accessing social care support

You can find out more information about social care support on the South Gloucestershire Council website and how to arrange an assessment, if you are eligible.

Social care support

Talking therapy services      

• 24/7 Support & Connect is a confidential helpline staffed by experienced counsellors, who you can talk to and they will listen. They will offer emotional support and can connect you to organisations available in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. Call 0800 0126549 available 24/7. Textphone users can dial 18001 followed by 0800 0126549.Translators can support a call if English is not the callers first language. The line is also equipped for those with speech and language difficulties.
• VitaMinds IAPT Service: Vitaminds offer a range of services to residents aged 16 or over to help with common mental health condition. Referrals to the service can be made through the VitaMinds website, by telephone (0333 200 1893) or through GPs (or other health care professional). The Vitaminds team will complete an assessment which will help to determine the best care plan to follow to meet the needs of the individual.
• Off the record provide an area wide talking therapy service for 11-25 year olds.
• Kooth: Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people aged 11-18:

24/7 Support & Connect Helpline VitaMinds IAPT Service Off the record Kooth

Mental health in the workplace

Thrive at Work South Gloucestershire aims to provide resources, information and support to local employers to help develop working cultures that support staff and challenge the stigma around mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Thrive at Work

Bereavement Guide

This guide is intended for anyone in South Gloucestershire who has been bereaved and focuses on the local and national support available to help your mental and emotional wellbeing after a loss.

Bereavement Guide

Maternal mental health

Maternal mental health is very important because around 10% of women experience some mental health difficulties around birth which has a potential long term impact on families and children.

If this is an issue affecting you and your family, please contact mentalhealth@southglos.gov.uk for information about local support.