You can find information below about services that provide mental health support.
We do our best to keep this page updated, but we are a small team. Please email us at wellbeing@southernbrooks.org.uk if you've spotted something that needs updating.
Samaritans
The Samaritans offer lots of different ways to talk to them - either by phoning, online chat, emailing, or writing them a letter. Click the link to the left to see all of their contact details.
24/7 Support and Connect helpline
This is a 24/7 confidential helpline, providing immediate emotional and practical support. It is staffed by experienced counsellors who will offer emotional support and who can connect you to organisations available in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire. Please note this line is being phased out, and will be replaced by 111 by April 2023.
- Tel: 0800 953 1919
Womankind
Womankind run a telephone and webchat helpline, where they will listen to you and support you to talk about how you are feeling and what’s going on in your life. Talking about and exploring difficulties and feelings can help you to make sense of what’s happening and why you feel the way you do. Just to feel heard and understood can be very powerful. They can offer you up to 50 minutes to talk.
- Tel: 0345 458 2914 / (0117) 916 6461
- Or find out more here
Independent Mental Health Network
A list of mental health and wellbeing services in South Gloucestershire.
Bristol Mind
Bristol Mind aims to promote a positive view of mental health and provide services that are accessible, relevant and empowering to the people using them. They also have a helpful list of other services and organisations on their website.
Rethink
Providing advice, information and support services around mental illness.
- Call The Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service on 0808 801 0525
- Or visit their website to find out what services they have in your area
VitaMinds
VitaMinds run the NHS talking therapies service. It’s a free service, offering a range of short-term psychological therapies to adults 16-years and over, who are registered with a GP in and live in Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire.
Talk to the Rainbow
Talk to the Rainbow are a team of LGBTQ+ and allied counsellors and therapists. Based in Bristol and the South West, they provide therapeutic services covering everything related to sexual orientation, gender and sex.
Bristol Sanctuary
Bristol Sanctuary is a place to come when you are in serious emotional distress. They aim to provide a safe, and welcoming environment where you can take stock and find some balance. While at The Sanctuary, staff will be led by you with a focus on helping you to stay safe and make a short term plan of what to do next. They can provide information on how to access other BMH services, signpost you to other providers, including telephone helplines and support you to recognise your own strengths or strategies for crisis prevention and management.
- Telephone number: 07709 295 661
- Email address: awp.bmhsanctuary@nhs.net
- Find out more on their website
- Opening times: Thursday - Monday, 5pm - 11pm
No Panic
No Panic is a registered charity that helps and supports those living with Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders. No Panic also provides support for the carers of people who suffer from anxiety disorders. Their helpline and newsletter are free, but they offer one-to-one and group support for a small fee.
- Helpline number: 0300 7729844 (open 10am - 10pm every day)
- Email address: info@nopanic.org.uk
- Find out more on their website
- You can listen to their crisis message here
Mental Health Foundation
The Mental Health Foundation have written a guide on how to improve and protect your mental health. It is backed by research and includes lots of suggestions to try.
Mental Health Mates
Mental Health Mates is a network of peer support groups IRL and online, run by people who experience their own mental health issues, meeting regularly to walk, connect and share without fear or judgement.
Papyrus HopeLine
They can support children and adults under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide; or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Their opening hours are 9am - midnight every day.
- Call them on: 0800 068 4141
- Text them on: 07860 039 967
- Email them on: pat@papyrus-uk.org
- Webchat: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk-webchat/
Silverline
A free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and support to older people. Open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Call them on: 0800 4 70 80 90
- Or visit their website here
Centre for Clinical Interventions - anxiety resources
They provide general information sheets and worksheets for dealing with anxiety.
Apps to Help With Mental Health
Calm Harm - app
An app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. It's private and password-protected.
Catch It - app
Learn to look at problems differently, turn negative thoughts into positive ones and improve your mental wellbeing.
Cove - app
Create music to help express complex feelings. Cove is a personal musical journal to help you with your mental health.
distrACT - app
Get quick, easy and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
eQuoo: Emotional Fitness Game - app
Use adventure games designed by psychologists to increase your emotional fitness and learn new psychological skills.
Feeling Good - app
Improve your thoughts, feelings, self-esteem and self-confidence using the principles of cognitive behavioural therapy.
My Possible Self - app
Pick from 10 modules to learn how to manage fear, anxiety and stress, and take control of your thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
Stress & Anxiety Companion - app
Guided breathing exercises, relaxing music and games made to help calm the mind, and handle stress and anxiety on the go.