If you are worried or concerned about how you are feeling, the first place to go is your GP. Your GP will be able to assess if you would benefit from more specialised support or be supported by them.
Talking Change
We are a team of psychotherapists and researchers who specialise in teh understanding and treatment of common emotional difficulties.
If you've been struggling with low mood or anxiety, or with a physical condition such as chronic pain or fatigue, our talking therapies can help you cope and feel better. We also provide support at work, and elp towards finding employment or training.
We offer a free and confidential service, and we can see you in medical practices all over Portsmouth. You can access Talking Change if you're aged sixteen or over, if you live in Portsmouth and you're registered with a docctor in the city.
You can self-refer by calling 0300 123 3934 or by visiting our website.
Mind
You can talk to Mind to get information on things like:
- types of mental health problem
- where to get help
- medication and alternative treatments
They will also look for details of help and support in your local area.
Contact them 9am - 6pm Monday-Friday (except bank holidays)
0300 123 3393
info@mind.org.uk
Text: 86463
Rethink
The Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service offers practical help on issues such as the Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits, debt, criminal justice and carers rights. They also offer general help on living with mental illness, medication, care and treatment.
Call 0300 5000 927 weekdays 9.30am - 4pm.
Beat
If you're struggling with an eating disorder, Beat can help. Call their Helpline 0808 801 0677, 4-10pm daily, or email help@b-eat.co.uk
GetSelfHelp.co.uk
This website has proven self-help resources on a wide range of mental health problems.
OCD UK
This organisation helps people affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Call 0845 120 3778, weekdays 9am - 5pm or email support@ocduk.org
Free online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and life skills courses
Steps for Stress - Practical ways to start dealing with stress: www.stepsforstress.org
NHS tested apps and online tools that support your mental health: https://apps.beta.nhs.uk/?category=Mental%20Health#!
Living Life to the Full - Free online courses covering low mood and stress: www.llttf.com
Moodscope - provides a way to monitor and record your daily activities and mood levels. There's a light version which is free: www.moodscope.com
Helpguide.org - helps you to better mental and emotional health through free guides and tools on a wide range of topics like loss, sleep, stress and relationship break-ups: www.helpguide.org
Self-help apps - find a useful list of CBT apps that you can access on different phones: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk//links2.htm
Five Ways To Wellbeing - the New Economics Foundation has developed five practical ways to keep yourself mentally well. If you've got an android phone you can also access an app where you can reflect on your wellbeing, set activities to help you improve your wellbeing and track your progress. Download it in Google Play.
Local services and groups
The Central Library in Guildhall Square has a Wellbeing Zone on the first floor with information on emotional wellbeing. You can also find reading well collections in Portsmouth libraries containing self-help and mood boosting books.
The Independence and Wellbeing team offer a range of social groups and activities that can help you avoid feeling lonely.
The Carers Centre offers a variety of support for carers, including those who look after someone with a mental illness.
Southsea Sangha is an open and welcoming meditation group.
Southsea Mindfulness offer taster sessions, courses and retreats in mindfulness - a way of paying attention so that we can see clearly what is happening from moment to moment (i.e sensations, thoughts, and emotions) and can then respond better to the demands of life and the challenges that we may face.
Gardening and growing food can be a way to boost mental wellbeing and the city has 1400 allotments at 11 sites as well as a community one and community orchard. You can find out more about these here.
KROMA is a group for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and alternative (LGBT+) communities and can support with mental health. They meet every Saturday from 11am - 1pm in Costa Coffee next to Portsmouth and Southsea train station.
The Learning Place in Derby Road, North End, runs a variety of courses that can help you meet new people, learn new skills - or improve existing ones, or take up a new hobby. Many courses are free. Visit their Facebook page or contact them to find out more: thelearningplace@portsmouthcc.gov.uk / 02392 621860.
If money worries are getting you down, you can find lots of advice on our money advice page.