Approximately 1 in 4 people will experience mental health problems each year. Yes, sometimes life can be overwhelming and whether you have previously been diagnosed with a mental health condition or not it’s important to know where you can find help and support outside of your immediate network. As a topic very close to our heart at Cool As Leicester we’ve pulled together a directory of where you can access support on both a local and national level.
Whilst a lot of attention is drawn to issues around services being hard to access or referrals taking months to process, please know that there are ALWAYS people there to help. If you have already spoken with your GP and are awaiting a referral, if you’ve never spoken out about your feelings, or if you’re experiencing this for the first time, please read below as a guide of where you’re able to find help. These services can also offer guidance if you’re concerned about the safety of one of your friends or family.
For those with a longer history of mental illness, even with a care network around you there may still be times when you feel in crisis or need additional and urgent support. A number of these services are available 24/7 and offer alternatives such as text support and online chat facilities to make it as easy as possible to connect you with a support network.
Urgent help & assistance
If you or someone you know may be in imminent danger you should in the first instance call 999. If you or someone you know requires crisis support you should call your GP or call the NHS helpline on 111.
Crisis support is also available through Turning Point. A 24 hour confidential helpline is available on 0808 800 3302 and you can also attend drop-in sessions across Leicestershire including every Monday (9am – 10.30am) at The Exchange and Tuesday (1pm – 3.30pm) at the Bradgate Mental Health Unit at Glenfield Hospital. You do not require a GP referral to access these drop-in and telephone services. Turning Point can also offer short-stay accommodation in their crisis house if required. For full information visit the website.
Life Links
If you feel in need of support, Life Links can offer face-to-face support, information and advice, one-to-one sessions delivered in your home or nearby venue and group support sessions. Services are available to those aged over 18 and living within Leicester City, Blaby District, Oadby or Wigston. Contact them via their website.
Mental Health Matters
Like Life Links above, MHM offers support, one-to-one sessions and group sessions to anyone experiencing emotional and mental health problems. This service covers Charnwood, Hinckley and Bosworth, Melton, North West Leicestershire, and Rutland. A referral form can be downloaded from the website.
LAMP
LAMP provide health and peer advocacy services relating to mental health in Leicestershire. Whether you require support relating to a service provided by your GP or would like to access their peer advocacy services for support and advice, you will find full information via their website.
Be A Mate
BBC Radio Leicester are supporting mental health awareness in males through their Be A Mate campaign. If you want to speak to somebody or if you are worried about your friend/family member you can call the BBC Action Line on 08000 155 998. Calls are free and lines are open 24/7.
Turning Point
Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Crisis House offers support to people aged 18 and above who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Support is provided in a variety of ways including: short term stay in the crisis house, a 24/7 telephone helpline, community sessions for drop-in or one to one support. Call 0116 210 4510 or email for more information.
Leicester LGBT Centre
Leicester LGBT Centre runs a number of weekly support sessions for those who identify anywhere under LGBT+ umbrella. They also offer a counselling service. For further information and times/locations of drop in support sessions, please visit their website.
MIND
Mind offer helplines to give guidance on conditions, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments. They can talk you through any concerns and point you in the direction of local services. Lines are open from 9am – 6pm on 0300 123 3393. If you’re anxious about speaking over the phone you can also use their online web chat, which can be accessed via their website.
Samaritans
If you need to talk and want a listening ear Samaritans are available 24/7, 365 days a year, whatever you’re going through. Call them free and in confidence on 116 123.
SANELine
Not just for those directly suffering from mental illness, SANEline is a national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected, including family, friends and carers. They are open every day of the year from 4.30pm to 10.30pm on 0300 304 7000.
The Mix
Offering support for those under-25, if you need help but don’t know where to turn The Mix offers a phone line, online one-to-one chat facility and even a crisis text message service. Phone and online chat options are manned from 4pm – 11pm 7 days a week, however the crisis text support is available 24 hours a day. The crisis text line is intended to help with situations including suicidal thoughts, self-harm, bullying. Text THEMIX to 85258. For more information on phone and online chat services visit the website.
HopelineUK
Run by suicide prevention charity Papyrus, please contact Hopeline if you are aged 35 or under and are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or if you have concerns about a young person with suicidal thoughts. Advisors will provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe. Lines are open from 9am – 10pm on weekdays and 2pm – 10pm on weekends and bank holidays. Call 0800 068 4141 or visit the website.
Shout Crisis Text Line
Shout was the UK’s first free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. If you feel you need help for issues including but not limited to suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm or bullying, text 85258. Further information can be found on the website.
Let’s Talk-Wellbeing
If you are over 16 and registered with a GP in Leicestershire you may be eligible for talking therapies to assist with any periods of poor mental health. You can arrange a referral through your GP or you can email the service and someone will contact you to make an appointment.
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust
The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust deliver a number of community schemes including arts based projects. Referrals to these schemes should be discussed with your GP.
If you are involved in other mental health assistance schemes in Leicestershire that aren’t listed here please contact us on [email protected] so that we can add you to the list.