Reach out for mental health support this winter

Help is at hand for anyone needing support with their mental health in Cheshire West and Chester this winter.

From text message support to urgent helplines, there are a variety of ways to access advice and support for yourself, a friend, or a family member.

“Anyone can need support at any time,” said Cllr Lisa Denson, Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for a Fairer Future (Poverty, Public Health and Mental Health).

“This time of year in particular can be difficult for many, with miserable weather, dark nights drawing in, and the money worries and emotional pressure that Christmas can bring.

“We know not everyone is the same and people need different types of support, so the services in Cheshire West provide a real range of ways you can reach out.”

Services include:

• Talking therapies – for adults and older people with mild, moderate-to-severe symptoms of anxiety or depression. Find out more about your local service, including how to refer and a range of wellbeing resources at: www.talkingtherapies.cwp.nhs.uk
• Shout text messaging service – anyone feeling anxious, stressed or in need of support can text ‘BLUE’ to 85258 to start a text conversation with a trained volunteer, who will provide free and confidential support. This is open 24 hours a day and seven days a week.
• Café 71, Chester Crisis Café – Café 71 provides a safe space for people struggling with emotional distress who consider themselves to be in a self-defined crisis. It offers a welcoming environment for people from across the borough to connect with others who are experiencing similar problems. The service is at 71-77 Anne Street, Chester, CH1 3HT and is open from 10am to 10pm. The café telephone number is: 01244 393139.
• 24/7 urgent mental health crisis line 0800 145 6485 – if your mental health quickly gets worse and you feel you are unable to cope, this is a mental health crisis. It is important to access support quickly. The crisis line supports people to access the help they need 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

As well as these services, which are provided by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP), there are also a number of services provided by charities and community organisations. Some of these include:

• Mid Cheshire MIND – offers an informal drop-in centre in Winsford for people who have had or are currently experiencing mental health problems. Its telephone number is: 01606 863305.
• Mentell – provides circles for men aged 18 and over to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgement. Visit: www.mentell.org.uk.
• Chapter – Chapter is a charity dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing mental ill health in Cheshire. They support people with a range of mental health needs, from those with a serious mental illness to people experiencing mild or moderate mental ill health. You can self-refer by visiting: chapterwestcheshire.org or calling: 01244 344 409
• The Martin Gallier Project – this is a suicide prevention service helping people who are feeling suicidal and anyone over the age of 16 who has been affected by suicide. The project telephone number is: 0151 644 0294.

For more information about these and many more mental health services across the borough visit: www.livewell.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk and click on ‘mental health, physical health and wellbeing’.