Mental health

Mental health issues affect one in four people within the UK at some point in their life, and serious mental illness affects one in six of the UK’s population at any time. There are many kinds of activities and community support that can help, alongside possible medication.

The Wellbeing Norfolk and Waveney Service is a community-based primary care mental health service, designed to improve people’s mental wellbeing. To access this service, you can self-refer by calling: 0300 1231503 or visiting: www.wellbeingnands.co.uk where you can also find more information on local mental health support services. Alternatively, speak to your GP who may refer you.

Your GP should be your first point of contact if someone is concerned about their mental health. They will consider whether they can provide the help and treatment you need from the primary care setting, or whether you should be referred to specialist mental health services. For more information, email:

information@norfolk.gov.uk

or call: 0344 8008020.

You can find more information on mental health at:

www.nhs.uk/mental-health

Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust is the local mental health service provider. The Trust provides information, advice, signposting, and can assess your needs and create a plan to meet them.

24/7 First Response Helpline

The Trust provides a helpline in Norfolk and Waveney – open 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering immediate support for mental health difficulties. Tel: 111 (select option two). If you have an emergency, call: 999.

Information on mental health and local services can be found at: www.nsft.nhs.uk or: www.heron.nhs.uk/ Alternatively, see ‘Information and advice’, beginning on page 8.

You can also request an assessment of your social care needs from our Mental Health Social Work Service. You will receive information, advice and signposting and, in some instances, support to meet your social care needs, such as help to access your community or manage your home.

Preventing suicide

Everyone can help prevent suicide – if you know someone who may be thinking of ending their life and who needs support, or are looking for help yourself, visit:

www.norfolk.gov.uk/iamokay

There is a range of information including a ‘safety plan diary’ and ‘keeping safe guide’, which are based on the advice and experiences of survivors of suicide attempts and their families. The website offers practical help for individuals and professionals, as well as friends and relatives. For example, how to recognise the signs that somebody may be at risk of taking their own life, as well as some useful prompts to encourage individuals to open up and talk about their feelings.

Help for you

There are lots of people, support services and ideas out there to help. If you are struggling, it may feel hard for you now, but it won’t always feel this way. This overwhelming feeling might pass. Consider what you could do to take your mind off things and think of the good things in your life – the things you enjoy doing, and the people in your life who make you feel good.

More advice that can help when you need it most can be found at: www.norfolk.gov.uk/iamokay or by downloading the free Stay Alive app. The app is a suicide prevention resource packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in a crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.