Staying well in winter

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Mental health support

Staying at home for a prolonged period can be difficult, frustrating and lonely for some people and you or other household members may be feeling low. It can be particularly challenging if you don’t have much space or access to a garden. It’s important to remember to take care of your mind as well as your body and get support if you need it.

Mental health charities and organisations providing support and advice

Support for adults

  • Mental Health Foundation: taking a public mental health approach to prevention, finding solutions for individuals, those at risk and for society, in order to improve everyone’s mental wellbeing.
  • NHS Every Mind Matters: Simple and practical advice to get a healthier mind, from how to deal with stress and anxiety, to boosting our mood or sleeping better.
  • Mental Health First Aid (MHFA):They provide training and resources, helping your workplace look after you.
  • Mid and North East Essex MIND: Whether you are currently looking for a counsellor or find yourself in need, you can speak to them Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm by calling 01206 764 600 or email enquiries@mnessexmind.org.
  • Live Well Link Well: A free and confidential social prescribing service that provides practical or emotional support of a non-medical nature. They can help you access support such as maintaining mental wellbeing, supporting independence, looking after someone, getting out and about and social isolation.

    If you live in mid Essex and are over 18 you can contact the service without having to go through your GP. Call 03003039988 (Monday to Friday from 8am to 7pm) or email livewell.linkwell@nhs.net.
  • Anxiety UK: Provide support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition. You can contact them by calling 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm).
  • Men’s Health Forum: They offer 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
  • OCD Action: Providing support for people with OCD, offering information on treatment and online resources. Call them on 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm).
  • Samaritans: Provide confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. You can call them on 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline).
  • Textcare: They provide comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most.

Support for children and young people

  • Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Service: Making sure everyone has access to community services that can give them the best start in life.
  • KOOTH: They offer young people free, safe and online support. To find out more info and support options visit their website.
  • PAPYRUS: A suicide prevention society for young people. Call 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays).
  • YoungMinds: They offer information on child and adolescent mental health and services for parents and professionals. Call 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm).
  • Essex Youth Service: They provide children and young people early intervention mental health services (CYP MHEIS).

    If you would like to speak to someone for more information about the services CYP MHEIS offer and find out what support might be available for you, call their single point of access team on 0300 300 1600 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

  • Childline: Childline helps anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they are going through.

    You can talk about anything. Whether it is something big or small, their trained counsellors are there to support you.

  • The multi-schools lowdown: Join the Multi Schools Council's journey to educate the world about children with special educational needs and mental health difficulties.

    Their podcast explores our education system, employment and society giving children another platform to have their voices heard.

Page last reviewed: 29 November 2021