MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND SERVICES
This page has details of where you can find mental health information and support. We also have a new mental health booklet to help you find mental health services available in our area and more widely across the country. If you would like a copy posted to you, please get in touch, or you can download a pdf version or an easy read version. If you would like some copies for a community setting or group near you, please let us know and we will post them out to you.
Mental health support – if you need help now
If you need URGENT HELP with your mental health right now, you can get in touch with the crisis team at Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust 24 hours a day.
Call: 0800 652 2861
Text: 07887 625277 (for hearing loss or communication issues)
Or call NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support. NHS 111 is available 24/7.
If you are deaf or have hearing loss please use NHS 111 – SignVideo or use the 18001 111 Relay UK app.
Safe Haven
Northumberland’s Safe Haven supports people aged 18+ who are experiencing mental health crisis or distress. The service is open from 2pm-10pm, 365 days a year. Call into The Bothy (Ashington) in person, or join the virtual waiting room on the website.
NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies
NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies (formerly Talking Matters Northumberland) offers a free psychological treatment, support and recovery service for the people of Northumberland over the age of 16 for depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health related problems. Treatment options include:
- Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CCBT)
- Couple Therapy for Depression
- Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT)
- Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR)
- Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT)
- Classes
Call: 0300 303 0700 for details.
Local services
NHS Northumberland Talking Therapies Free psychological treatment, support and recovery service for depression, anxiety, stress and other mental health related problems. For people over 16 years. Call: 0300 303 0700.
Tyneside and Northumberland Mind: If you are experiencing mental health problems or going through a difficult time in your life, you can get help through informal one to one support, groups and counselling. Contact the support line seven days a week, 8am-10pm on 0191 477 4545 or 0330 174 3174 (calls charged at local rate).
OneCall: If you are worried about a child or adult’s welfare who lives in Northumberland contact Onecall on: 01670 536 400.
Initial Response: The Initial Response Team provides 24 hour access to urgent mental health care and treatment by calling one telephone number: 0303 123 1146.
Cygnus Support: Provides mental health and wellbeing services including counselling, psychotherapy, education and training. Based in Ashington, Cygnus now also works from hubs across the county in Hexham, Berwick, Alnwick and Blyth.
Choices4Growth: A Berwick-based organisation providing essential support and counselling for better mental health and positive futures for people in local communities.
Anxious Minds: A North East mental health charity which offers drop-in centres, veteran support and counselling.
Northumberland Recovery College: Offers a range of activities and learning experiences for adults to help with mental health and wellbeing.
N.B. in an emergency please call 999.
Kooth and Qwell
Young people aged 11-25 years living in Northumberland can access a digital mental health support service called Kooth, while anyone over the age of 18 can access support from Qwell.
Both services provide a safe, confidential and anonymous way to access emotional wellbeing and early intervention mental health support. Users can complete a daily journal, set goals and seek support through self help resources and peer to peer support. There is also professional help available through qualified counsellors.
There are no waiting lists, no referrals and no thresholds, anyone within the age range living in Northumberland can sign up for support whenever they require it.
Join Kooth or watch this video to find out more.
Support for farming communities
Free, confidential wellbeing support and counselling is available to farmers and their families via Rabi.
Shout: 85258
Shout is a text service which provides instant support in a crisis. The service is a private, silent way to access support when you need it most. Trained volunteers will help you move from crisis to calm and then help you finder longer term support.
Text 85258.
Support for fishermen
If you are a fisherman, or a family member of a fisherman Text ‘FISH’ to 85258, for tailored mental health support 24/7.
Heads Together
The Heads Together campaign is spearheaded by The Prince and Princess of Wales and aims to end stigma around mental health by changing the national conversation on mental health and wellbeing.
Through this campaign, Their Royal Highnesses are keen to build on the great work that is already taking place across the country, to ensure that people feel comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing, feel able to support their friends and families through difficult times, and that stigma no longer prevents people getting help they need. The campaign is a partnership with other charities with decades of experience in tackling stigma, raising awareness, and providing vital help for people with mental health challenges.
ManHealth
If you are struggling in your life and require a safe place to be listened to, ManHealth provides weekly peer to peer support groups for men.
There are support groups across the North East including Briardale House in Blyth which meets every Monday, 6pm-8pm.
There is also an online weekly Zoom group for dads experiencing family breakdown, separation or divorce. Email: admin@manhealth.org.uk for the link to join.
Useful websites and support services
Samaritans
If you need to speak to someone now you can call Samaritans for free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 116 123.
If it is easier to write your thoughts down you can email jo@samaritans.org (please note response time from this service could be a few days).
Self help leaflets
Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust is one of the largest mental health and disability trusts in England.
Up-to-date self-help leaflets on subjects such as anxiety, bereavement, stress, depression and eating disorders are available to download, as audio or BSL video, and in easy read.
Contact Mental Health Group
Contact is an independent local charity based in Morpeth, and covering the South East of Northumberland, particularly Ashington, Bedlington, Cramlington, and Blyth. Services include counselling and a drop-in centre.
Best mental health tips from Mental Health Foundation
This guide from Mental Health Foundation is full of tips on how to look after your mental health – backed by research.
Each of the tips is backed up by evidence from research, including the Mental Health Foundation’s own ground-breaking study.
Every Mind Matters
There are small things that can help you be kind to your mind. Get expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing and make them part of your daily routine.
The Mix
The Mix provides free information and support for under 25s. As well as mental health support you can find advice on issues such as sex and relationships, money and housing and drugs and alcohol. Helpline number: 0808 808 4994
Andy’s Man Club
ANDYSMANCLUB are a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online. the aim is to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation. Find out more on the website.
If U Care Share
If U Care Share provides a range of services around prevention, intervention and supporting those bereaved by suicide. The service is now open for referrals.
Hub of Hope
Hub of Hope is the UK’s largest mental health support directory. Whether you want to find a service to help you feel better or you want to support someone who is struggling, the hub brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place.
A guide to mental health care in England
This animation from The King’s Fund explains how mental health services in England work and how they fit in with other health and public services.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT AND SERVICES
Healthwatch Northumberland
We are your local health and social care champion. We’re here to make sure your views on NHS and social care services in Northumberland are heard.
