Mental Health

Having periods in our lives when we feel low, stressed or anxious is normal. We have these feelings in response to life stressors e.g. losing a job, the death of a close friend. But sometimes these feelings last longer than expected or do not come as a reaction to external factors. When this happens the feelings begin to impact our mental health. One in four of us suffer with mental health problems at some point in our lives. We recognise that it can be difficult to pluck up the courage to see a doctor when you are feeling anxious or depressed. Remember you can bring a friend or a relative to your appointment. The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and will offer you information on where you can go for support.
Sometimes you may be offered medications or a referral to a specialist. Please be reassured that what you tell us will be held in confidence. It will only be shared with other healthcare providers with your consent.
There are many ways to help yourself if you are feeling stressed, depressed, anxious or otherwise unwell. From self help books and audio guides to therapy websites. You will feel improvement with exercise. We are very well served in the Bristol area for mental health - both NHS and charity providers. All these organisations have come together to create the BristolMentalHealth website which provides links and contacts for most services in the Bristol region.

Mental Health in the time of Coronavirus

We know this can be a particularly anxious and difficult time, particularly if you or someone you care about struggles with mental health difficulties. The mental health team at AWP will be available 24/7 to provide advice, guidance and support over the phone patients, families and carers, as well as members of the public who may be worried about their own or someone else's mental health. The telephone line - 0300 3031320 - provides round-the-clock support for adults and children, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

If you or your loved one feels unsafe, at risk or unable to cope without professional advice, their dedicated staff, with a wealth of skills and experience, will respond to your enquiries and arrange for trained mental health advisors and clinicians to help enable you to manage your difficulties.  The Mental Health 24/7 Response Line works closely with our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to provide support and signpost people to other services for anyone in the general population seeking mental health support.

Mental health services - Local and National

The VitaHealth grop are your local NHS counselling service. You don't need to be referred by your GP. Click the image to visit their website for contact details. They also offer online resources.
Off The Record provide counselling services for those under 25 years of age. They tend to offer one to one services and quickly. They are located in the city centre on St Michael's Hill, BS2 8EA.
A times of crisis the mental health crisis team are always on hand to help, 24/7. Thoughts of harming yourself? Thoughts of harming others? A friend in need of urgent help?
Bristol MindLine offers a free emotional support listening service to anyone who needs to talk.. The line is open Wed to Sun, 8pm to midnight on freephone 0808 808 0330.
The FREE distrACT app gives you discreet access to information and advice on how you can manage difficult feelings, cope with a crisis and find help and support when you need it most. Download the app - Apple / Android
Click the image above for a very comprehensive list of mental health services available in our area for Children and Yound people. The list is provided bt the Bristol clinical commisioning group.

Out there on the Internet

The internet is now awash with excellent resources to help you with your mental health. Here are just a few:

www.thecalmzone.net
www.kooth.com
Mental health PodCasts
And some videos