Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing describes your mental state - how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life. Our mental wellbeing is dynamic. It can change from moment to moment, day to day, month to month or year to year.
If anyone experiences low mental wellbeing over a long period of time they are more likely to develop a mental health problem. If someone already has a mental health problem, they are more likely to experience periods of low mental wellbeing than someone who hasn't. But that doesn't mean the person won't have periods of good wellbeing.
The Very Brief Intervention (VBI) pages below recognise that the perception that it can be difficult to start a conversation about a persons Mental Wellbeing. The following VBI uses advice from 'Time to Change' which is led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
Our Mental health can be impacted at any time in our lives, whether this is from a relationship breakdown, a bereavement or financial worries so lets get taking about mental health, its OK to ask!
Very Brief Intervention
Ask
How are you?
How are you feeling at the moment?
What’s been happening for you recently?
Assist
You mentioned you are feeling low, why do you think that is?
Has anything you have been doing made you feel better?
What more would you like to do or do more of that would help?
Reflect back what has been said to you; “you said you have not been sleeping well, tell me a bit more about that?
It may be worth asking about the causes and what could possibly be done to address them e.g. debt management, housing support, stress management.
Act
Give reassurances that there are lots of sources of support
If you are worried that this person is in crisis, please see section for Suicide Prevention
If no immediate risk take the following steps:
Encourage them to ring:
Samaritans - (All age groups)
Tel: 116 123, open 24 hours a day.
Papyrus - (Young people)
Tel: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening hours
Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends: 2pm-10pm & bank holidays: 2pm-5pm
SELF CARE
- Encourage the person to contact their GP. Their GP will be able support the person in many ways
- Mind 'The charity for better mental health' has an extensive range of self help resources available
- The NHS have has a range of self-help tools available
- Andy's Man Club provides a weekly talking group, a place for men to come together in a safe environment to talk about issues/problems they be have faced or currently been facing. Meetings take place regularly in different locations across the region, where applicable these can be found in the local support and contact details section
- For Men -CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer accredited, confidential and free support to men anywhere in the UK through a helpline and web and webchat service. They talk through any issue with you and offer support, advice and signposting.
Better Health - Every Mind Matters
Better Health Every Mind Matters website. NHS-assured information & advice on common mental wellbeing concerns: anxiety, stress, low mood & poor sleep
Tips to manage mental wellbeing based on Mind’s ‘5 ways to wellbeing’.
Plus self-help CBT techniques section Life’s challenges - practical tips on dealing with drivers of poor mental health eg coping with money worries and job uncertainty, maintaining healthy relationships and loneliness
The Mind Plan – free, personalised plan. Answer 5 quick questions on how you’ve been feeling over the last 2 weeks and you’ll get recommendations on practical self-care actions that could help. You can customise the plan and get it emailed to you
Free email support programmes – complete the Mind Plan to sign up for regular emails with further tips on building wellbeing actions into everyday life, or go to the “anxiety” page to sign up for a tailored email programme with expert advice and practical tips to help deal with anxiety
Support Services - Adults
Adults can self-refer to Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. IAPT is a national NHS programme, which offers evidence based psychological therapies or interventions approved by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). IAPT is primarily for treating people with mild to moderate mental health issues such as anxiety disorders, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
IAPT treatments are delivered via a stepped care model where patients are initially offered low intensity therapies, such as computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT) and guided self-help. If these treatments are unsuccessful, or not appropriate for individuals, higher intensity therapies are utilised and include one to one cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal therapy (IPT). Please see local support and contact details for further information.
Support Services - Veterans
Veterans Combat Stress is the UK's leading mental health charity for veterans. They offer free, confidential 24-hour support to Service and ex-Service personnel who are experiencing mental health issues, including feeling suicidal.
Tel: 0800 138 1619
Web: https://www.combatstress.org.uk/help-you
Support Services - Perinatal
PANDAS Foundation
The PANDAS Foundation is here to help support and advise any parent who is experiencing a perinatal mental illness. We are also here to inform and guide family members, carers, friends and employers as to how they can support someone who is suffering.
Tel: 0843 2898401 (0900 - 2000 hrs, 7 days per week)
Web: http://www.pandasfoundation.org.uk/
Support Services - Carers
The Carers Trust
It is important that you take care of your own health, even if you are busy looking after someone else's health. Being healthy is not only important for you, but it also helps the person you care after too. The website contains some helpful guides on relationship management and information on self-care and respite care.
Support Services - Children and Young People
Children and Young People can contact the 'The Mix' which is a leading support service that can help young people to take on any challenge they are facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs.
- Tel: 0808 0808 4994 (Freephone)
- Web: http://www.themix.org.uk/
For Parents
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline, which parents/careers can call if they are worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. They also run a group called Parents Say, for parents whose children are accessing Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
Web: https://youngminds.org.uk/
Talk about the Five Ways to Wellbeing. The mental health equivalent to the dietary advice to have ‘5 a day’ fruit and vegetables for physical health.
1. Connect - With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community.
- As being well connected is good for your mental wellbeing… Is there anything you could be doing more of?
- Can you think of connections that you would like to make or remake?
2. Be Active - Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.
- What activities do you engage in on a regular basis? How would I like to develop this?
- Are there any minor adjustments you can make in your life that can help you to be more active?
3. Take Notice - Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are on a train, eating lunch or talking to friends.
- How can you practice slowing down and pausing more often?
- What difference will incorporating this into your daily life make?
4. Keep Learning - Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving.
- What would you like to learn about? What interests you? What do you value? What would you find useful?
- What do you need to do to make learning something you look forward to?
5. Give - Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in.
- Do you notice what it’s like for you when you give to others?
- What else could you give others that you hadn’t thought of before?
Local Support and Contact Details
Blackburn with Darwen Council
Mental health
Help available if you are worried about your mental health, or that of someone in your life
Urgent help
If there is an immediate risk to life, ring 999.
To talk to someone out of hours, you can contact:
- the Out of Hours Adult Social Care team on 01254 587547
Referrals and enquiries
If you're struggling with your mental health, we strongly recommend that you visit your GP. They are familiar with your medical history, and they'll be able to direct you to the appropriate treatment. They'll also be able to refer you to more specialist services if you need them.
Organisations who can help
Home Treatment Team
The Home Treatment Team help people who are experiencing mental distress and can support them out of a crisis. They help to resolve problems and can offer practical and emotional support.
If you need urgent help, contact:
- the Initial Response Service (IRS) on 0800 013 0707 or
- the Out of Hours team on 01254 226074
NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria Talking Therapies
The Talking Therapies service offers a range of free talking therapies to people aged 16 and over, from psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWP), cognitive behavioural therapists (CBT), and counsellors.
Talking Therapies can help with things like:
- panic disorder
- depression
- postnatal depression
- generalised anxiety disorder
- chronic worry
- obsessive compulsive disorder
- phobias
- post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- health anxiety
- social anxiety
You can refer yourself to the Talking Therapies service.
Social care assessment team
You can contact the Social Care Assessment team on 01254 226150.
You can also request a social care assessment online.
Request a mental health social care assessment
You need to have a MyBwD Account to fill this form in. You can watch a video about how to set up an account.
Samaritans
If you are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, immediate support is available from the Samaritans.
They provide confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day.
Contact them on 0300 094 5714 or visit the Samaritans website.
NHS Choices
The NHS Choices website has lots of information and support for your mental health.
Lancashire Mind
The Lancashire Mind website has lots of information and resources to help you get help with your mental health.
Mental health and wellbeing
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Mental health affects every part of our lives – how we feel about ourselves and other people, our relationships and our emotional development.
There are different types of mental health problems. They can affect any one of us, at any point in our lives. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or anxious. Most of the time those feelings pass, but sometimes they can develop into a more serious problem.
Your mental health doesn't always stay the same, it can change as circumstances change and as you move through different stages of your life.
Everyone is different. You may bounce back from a setback or a life-change, while someone else may feel weighed down by it for a long time. If you think you might be experiencing a mental health problem, contact your GP and if necessary, they can refer you to a more specialised mental health service.
Website: https://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Health-and-social-care/Public-health/Mental-health.aspx
Positive Action in the Community (P-A-C)
About Us
We are a local registered charity working across Pendle, Burnley and Rossendale on a number of projects which support people to build emotional resilience, improve their emotional health and wellbeing, make positive choices, and improve their education and employment chances and move on to live independent lives. We provide supported accommodation to Homeless young people, support to adults and children affected by domestic violence and early support to families who are struggling to cope.
Contact Tel:
Pendle: 01282 817214
Rossendale: 01706 212894
Email: info@p-a-c.org.uk
Website: https://www.p-a-c.org.uk/
Our Mission Statement
PAC was set up in 1996 to meet the needs of the community which were not being met through statutory provision or by other organisations. Our mission statement is:
To provide benefits for the inhabitants of the North of England, without distinction of sex, political, religious, or other opinions, by assisting the Local Authorities, Voluntary Organisations and the local inhabitants in the following ways:
To prevent and relieve poverty;
To promote the education of people who through their social and economic circumstances are in need and to provide or support schemes where such persons may acquire and develop vocational skills which will enhance their employment prospects, their physical and emotional health and well-being.
To provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and leisure time occupation with the object of improving the conditions of life of those in need, hardship or distress;
To advance education for public benefit by providing advice and guidance upon questions of unemployment, housing, domestic abuse, safeguarding and social welfare and related topics.
Accessing mental health support in East Lancashire
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides 24-hour access to mental health care, advice, support and treatment. If you’re living in East Lancashire and need mental health care, advice or support please call Freephone 0800 0130 707.
Useful local contacts for residents across East Lancashire
Blackburn with Darwen Social Care
Telephone: 01254 587 547
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Lancashire Council Social Care
Telephone: 0300 123 6720
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Rethink Carers Lancashire
Telephone: 07534 369 889
Email: lancscarersgroup@rethink.org
Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Services
Address: 62-64 Yorkshire Street, Burnley
Telephone: 01282 433 740
Lancashire Mind
Provides information for individuals, carers and families experiencing emotional or mental health problems.
Address: 80-82 Devonshire Road, Chorley, PR7 2DR
Telephone: 01257 231 660
Email: admin@lancashiremind.org.uk
Website: www.lancashiremind.org.uk
National support services
NHS 111
Telephone: 111 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Website: 111.nhs.uk
NHS Helpline
Telephone: 0800 915 4640 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Can provide details of help and support in your own area.
MIND Ed
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Can provide details of help and support in your own area.
No Panic
Telephone: 0844 967 4848 (10am to 10pm everyday)
A helpline that helps people who suffer from panic.
Papyrus Hopeline
Telephone: 0800 068 41 41 (9am to midnight every day of the year. Weekends and bank holidays included)
A helpline that helps people having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINEUK for confidential support and practical advice.
The Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours, 365 days a year)
Provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress.
Rethink’s National Advice Service
Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday)
Provides advice and information to people with severe mental illness, their families and carers.
Useful websites
Support Line - confidential emotional advice and support to assist people during a crisis.
NHS Choices - Your health, your choices - information about conditions, treatments, local services and healthy lives.
Lancashire MIND
We are more than a mental health charity.
We’re a passionate movement leading the mental wellbeing revolution in Lancashire
Our vision is Mental Wellbeing for All and with your help we can stop misconceptions about mental health, develop resilience in people from an early age and work with communities to build a happier Lancashire. Together we can make Lancashire the beacon county for mental wellbeing and ensure everyone experiencing a mental health condition is treated as an equal member of society.
We work collaboratively within Lancashire to shape a generation that won’t treat people differently based on their mental health. We believe that through partnership we can embed our values and beliefs, share experiences and improve people’s mental wellbeing across the county.
Website: http://www.lancashiremind.org.uk/
Tel: 01257 231660
Mindsmatter
Who we are:
Welcome to Mindsmatter - We are a wellbeing service offering a range of free psychological therapies to people aged 16 and over in Lancashire. Mindsmatter offer access to a range of brief therapeutic interventions, including courses & workshops, online programmes and face to face therapy, across our localities to support people’s differing emotional needs. Giving people the right information and help to develop skills and gain tools to overcome stress, anxiety and depression is at the heart of what we do.
What we aim to do:
We aim to provide people who experience difficulties such as stress, anxiety and depression with access to our service. We aim to empower people to make informed choices and changes to improve well-being and live fulfilled lives by offering a range of talking therapies and self help to meet your needs.
To speak to a member of the Mindsmatter service, please call the number below for your area:
PRESTON: 01772 773437
CHORLEY AND SOUTH RIBBLE: 01772 643168
FYLDE AND WYRE: 01253 955943
WEST LANCASHIRE: 01695 684177
HYNDBURN: 01254 226007
ROSSENDALE: 01282 657792
RIBBLE VALLEY: 01200 420499
BURNLEY: 01282 657268
PENDLE: 01282 657927
LANCASTER & MORECAMBE: 01524 550552
BLACKBURN AND DARWEN: 01254 226037
**Mindsmatter do not provide services in Blackpool. This is provided by Supporting Minds 01253 955 700**
Website:https://www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/Mindsmatter
Healthier Lancashire and South Cumbria
Health organisations in Lancashire and South Cumbria have worked in partnership to develop an interactive map of mental health services for people living in the area.
Access it here:
https://www.healthierlsc.co.uk/InteractiveMap
Please find below a useful link for Mental health support resources in Lancashire and South Cumbria:
https://healthierlsc.co.uk/MentalHealthSupport
National support services
NHS 111
Telephone: 111 (24 hours a day, seven days a week)
Website: 111.nhs.uk
NHS Helpline
Telephone: 0800 915 4640 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Can provide details of help and support in your own area.
MIND Ed
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)
Can provide details of help and support in your own area.
No Panic
Telephone: 0844 967 4848 (10am to 10pm everyday)
A helpline that helps people who suffer from panic.
Papyrus Hopeline
Telephone: 0800 068 41 41 (9am to midnight every day of the year. Weekends and bank holidays included)
A helpline that helps people having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINEUK for confidential support and practical advice.
The Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours, 365 days a year)
Provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress.
Rethink’s National Advice Service
Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (10am to 2pm, Monday to Friday)
Provides advice and information to people with severe mental illness, their families and carers.
Useful websites
Support Line - confidential emotional advice and support to assist people during a crisis.
NHS Choices - Your health, your choices - information about conditions, treatments, local services and healthy lives.
Lancashire Emotional Health in Schools
We offer a free service that provides support and training to high school staff on issues relating to young people’s mental health. It is a joint initiative between Lancashire County Council Public Health team, Lancaster University and Lancashire Care NHS Trust and all input is provided free of charge to schools. The service is funded by the Lancashire County Council Public Health team.
To date we have worked with over 30 high schools in Lancashire. We provide training, advice and support to high schools with the aim of helping staff to identify and support young people in their schools who may be experiencing mental health difficulties. The service also provides training and support around early intervention and prevention of mental health difficulties, with the aim of increasing the resilience of young people.
Website: http://www.lehss.com/
Please get in touch with Richard Slinger by email (r.slinger@lancaster.ac.uk) if you are interested in any of the services we offer. We will then arrange for one of our team to come and visit you in school to talk about what we can deliver and to put a support package together.
Tel: 01524 593425
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Children and Adults in Cumbria
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support for Children and Adults in Cumbria
Accessing mental health support in the Bay
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust provides 24-hour access to mental health care, advice, support and treatment. By calling 0800 013 0710, you can speak to a member of the team where you can discuss your current mental health needs.
Who can access the mental health services
Anyone who lives within Lancaster, Morecambe, South Cumbria and surrounding areas, who feels that they need urgent mental health care or have an enquiry about their routine care.
Areas include the following, but this is not an exhaustive list:
- Barrow in Furness
- Grange over Sands
- Carnforth
- Milnthorpe
- Kendal
- Lancaster
- Morecambe
- Millom
- Ulverston
You can contact us direct. You do not need to have used any mental health services before or previously been diagnosed with a mental health problem.
Not only can you call us direct, a friend, carer or family member can also call the team if they are concerned for your wellbeing.
You can also be referred by your GP, social care professional or a voluntary organisation.
If you urgently need specialist advice, even if you have not been diagnosed with a mental health problem, you can still talk to a member of the team who can advise you. Call 0800 013 0710.