Getting help with mental health
Children, young people and families that are experiencing mild or temporary difficulties or are adjusting to life circumstances may benefit from access to appropriate advice without needing to seek help or more help.
Children, young people and families experiencing chronic, fluctuation or severe difficulties where they are currently able to manage their own health and/or are on the road to recovery may benefit from access to appropriate advice without needing to seek help or more help.
Local resources
Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind
In partnership with National Mind, Swindon and Gloucestershire Mind promote local wellbeing through providing information and advice and a range of services including; Self Harm Counselling; 1:1 Support; Community based sessions including sports and crafts.
On Trak youth counselling
On Trak Youth Counselling provide free advice, support and services to young people in Swindon between the ages of 14 to 19 (at the time of referral), who are experiencing a mental health problem or emotional distress. An appointment can be made via phone by the person needing the service, or by parents and carers. Following the initial appointment when an assessment will be made, the young person may be offered short, medium or long-term one-to-one counselling, usually on a weekly basis. Where appropriate, they may also be referred or directed to other support services.
Swindon and District Local Samaritans
Swindon and District Samaritans have been offering emotional support for over 50 years. You can telephone, email or call in to see us at our premises at 6 Curtis Street near Swindon town centre. You don’t need an appointment to talk to one of our trained volunteers but it is worth ‘phoning us first to see if we are open when you plan to visit.
We are active in the community and regularly visit the Jobcentre, Erlestoke Prison and local events. Our volunteers are also available to deliver presentations about our work and emotional health to schools, workplaces, clubs and organisations.
Talk to us any time you like, in your own way, and off the record about whatever’s getting to you. You don't have to be suicidal to call us.
E-mail: jo@samaritans.org
Tel: 116 123
Website: Swindon and District Samaritans
Swindon Samaritans Twitter
National resources
NHS Resources provide NHS approved advice on all health conditions including mental health difficulties.
The Mental Health Foundation highlight the importance of prevention in mental health. They aim to help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health by providing information and advice on staying well on a range of mental health topics.
Mind are a mental health charity with information about a range of mental health difficulties and information and resources to help you manage your mental health or to look after others.
Young Minds want to see all young people supported with their mental health and to not feel alone. They have information and resource on a range of mental health difficulties.
Young Minds also have a Parent’s Helpline that operates Monday to Friday 9,30am – 4pm (free for mobiles and landlines). Call: 0808 802 5544
Student Minds is he UK’s student mental health charity. It empowers students and members of the university community to look after their own mental health, support others and create change.
The Mix (formally get connected) provide advice and support for under 25s on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts that people under 25 have in order to give them the best support through their online resources and phone services.
They provide a free and confidential multi-channel service. That means that you choose how you access their support, without the worry of anyone else finding out. Whether it be through their articles and video content online or their phone, email, peer to peer, courses and counselling services – they put the control in your hands.
Childline have a range of breathing exercises, activities, game and videos to help you let go of stress and feel calmer in their Calm Zone.
Breathing space aims to provide an easily accessible service and assistance at an early stage to stop problems escalating. They have a range of resources if your thoughts and feelings are overwhelming you and making it difficult to cope with everyday life, including:
Minding Your Head are based in Ireland but have a range of online information and resources relating to mental health.
The Anna Freud Centre work in collaboration with children, young people, families, communities and professionals to provide mental health support. They have a range of information and advice on their website including over 90 self-care activities that young people can do to look after their own mental health.
Calmzone: Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) exists to prevent male suicide in the UK. Their helpline is free, anonymous and confidential and doesn’t show up on your bill. Open every day of the year.
Helpline: 0800 585858.
