Community Mental Health Services
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Community Mental Health support varies dependent on where you are based and what support you need. There are various types of teams available that can support people with mental health diagnoses. Support will depend on your individual circumstances and can include involvement from psychiatrists, mental health nurses, support workers, social workers, psychologists or occupational therapists.
You can find more about Community Mental Health Services at: Support services for mental health
To access the right support for you (or a loved one), please speak with your GP. They can help with onward referrals where appropriate.
You can also find information about accessing support here:
How to find local mental health services – NHS
If you have a mental health diagnosis, you may already be under a community mental health team. We would encourage you to inform your team if you have been diagnosed with cancer, as they can also think about how to support you with this. For further information about managing a cancer diagnosis alongside pre-existing mental health difficulties, see existing mental health difficulties
Resources
For more general information about mental health, you may be interested in looking at the following charity websites:
MIND: We’re Mind, the mental health charity | Mind
SANE: Home – SANE
Rethink: Advice, information and support from the experts
Mental Health Support Lines
The following support lines offer a space to talk to someone about your mental health:
Mind support line: 0300 102 1234 (open 9am-6pm Monday to Friday, except bank holidays)
SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (open 4.30pm–10pm every day).
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm–midnight every day) if you’re affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
Shout: If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK: If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (24 hours, 7 days a week), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
Switchboard: If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
Thoughts of harming yourself or ending your life
For some people when they are facing a difficult time, they can have thoughts of harming themselves or ending their life.
If you or someone you know ever experiences this, please seek immediate support via the Samaritans (116 123) for someone to talk with, ask for an emergency GP appointment, call 111 who can connect you with your local 24-hour mental health crisis team, or visit A&E.
You are not alone.