Mental Health

General Introduction

We fully appreciate that having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. We are continually working with patients and local services to improve the information provided on this page so that you can seek timely help when needed. Every Mind Matters provides information about mental health and what you can do to help yourself in managing your mental health. It also offers help in developing mental health care plan (Mind Plan). Centre for Clinical Intervention Western Australia provides free evidence based online resources to help patients and professionals manage their mental health. Get Selfhelp and NHS Information resources are also great resource to find online resources for help.

We have summarised below information regarding services that are locally available to support you in managing your mental health. 

Adult Mental Health:

Locally Steps to Wellbieng Service provides useful information and support related to mental health. Their website offers information related to range of conditions that can stop one from feeling their best, cope with personal and social difficulties or seek talking therapies such as counselling or cognitive behaviour therapy. 

They accept referrals from anyone over the age of 18 years who are registered at a Southampton City GP Practice. Referrals can be organised by us as your general practitioners, online or by phoning the service directly using details as follows

Online Self Referral: https://www.steps2wellbeing.co.uk/self_referral/ - Telephone Number: 08006127000

We are collating relevant information for adults. NHS Apps Library provides useful online platforms for self-help. You can download some free apps to learn more about mental health problems and how you can manage them yourself. 

You can also explore useful contact details provided here to seek mental health support available in Southampton. Key contact numbers are provided as follows

  1. Corona Virus Emotional Support: 02380179049
  2. Youth Affinity Service: Text 'Youth' to 07451276010
  3. Crisis helpline: Text "Lighthouse post code (your own postcode for example LIGHTHOUSE SO14 0YG) to 07451276010.

Counselling Services

Life Changes Counselling

Life Changes is an independent community counselling service situated in central Southampton, which is available to all individuals over 18. The counselling provided offers the opportunity to reflect on life and understand the issues troubling people.  They offer time and space to explore personal change in a private, safe, non-judgemental and respectful environment.

Tel: 07444 001845

Website: Lifechanges community counselling (lifechangescounselling.org.uk)

Southampton Counselling & Therapy Centre (SCTC) - Private

SCTC has been providing high quality therapy to those in need of help in Southampton and the surrounding area for 30 years with a commitment to making this available for people might not otherwise be able to afford it. They work with both indivudals and couple. 

Tel: 02381783131

email: sctc@sctc-counselling.co.uk 

Website: http://www.sctc-counselling.co.uk

Child and Adolescent Mental Health - General Resources

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service:

Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) is a NHS specialist service that aims to help young people aged 5 -18 years and their families who are finding it hard to manage their emotional and psychological health, and who need early, ongoing and severe mental health problems.

If you are worried about a young person please check out the specific guidance in relation to the mental health difficulties that they may be experiencing, plesae visit their website by following this link.

Learn more about mental health problems in children and how to self manage them while waiting for further help.

Public Health Nursing:

Public Health Nurses aim to support every child’s health throughout their time at school and college. They work not only within schools and colleges but also where young people want to be seen. They will see all children, young people and their parents who are aged between 5-19 years and residing within Southampton for further information regarding their services and how to access help please visit their web page on the link below:

https://www.solent.nhs.uk/our-services/services-listings/public-health-nursing-5-19-years/
Telephone: 0300 123 6661
Email address: snhs.publichealthnursingsouthampton@nhs.net 
No Limits Drop In Centre:
The No Limits Advice Centre is an informal, friendly ‘one stop shop’ to receive help with any issues that children and young adults face may be facing, including relationships, sexual health, sexuality, alcohol and drugs, health and well-being issues, domestic violence or abuse, education, employment, finances and energy advice. One can visit alone or with a friend and there’s no appointment needed.
Contact Details:
No Limits Advice Centre, 13 High Street, Southampton, SO14 2DF
Telephone: 02380 224 224
Email: enquiries@nolimitshelp.org.uk
 
No Limits also offer Community Navigator for 13-25 years old - The Community Navigation service (also referred to as social prescribing) is for young people aged 13-25 who are experiencing emotional health and wellbeing issues (eg. feeling stressed, worried, lonely or not enjoying things). 
 
Kooth: Online Counselling and Emotional Well-being service for young people aged 11-25 years (up to 26th birthday)

Kooth is a free online counselling and emotional well-being support service providing young people aged 11-25 years (up to 26th birthday) in Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight with a safe and secure means of accessing support with their emotional health and wellbeing needs from a professional team of qualified counsellors.

Website: https://www.kooth.com 

You can also view a short video about the service by following this link: Kooth Video  

Further Information:
For further information to provide support to children as parents or young adults to seek support you can visit resources on the links provided below
  • School Nursing: https://what0-18.nhs.uk/solent/school-nursing 
  • Southampton City Council Early Help Hub: https://www.southampton.gov.uk/health-social-care/children/child-social-care/early-help.aspx 
  • Re:Minds www.reminds.org.uk is a parent-led support group for families who have children/young people with autism or mental health issues. This includes a Facebook group which gives families a safe place to share their worries and ask questions as well as range of resources.
  • Healios: Healios is working towards ensuring children, young people and adults have the best chance of achieving their goals and fulfil their life's potential through supporting mental health, emotional wellbeing and resilience. They offer range of services to support children and young adults. ThinkNinja: offers useful information regarding mental health in children and how to help them. 

The Little Blue Book of Sunshine - Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Edition

The Little Blue Book of Sunshine - Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight Edition, a mental health booklet that has been developed for children and young people in Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight.

The book aims to help children and young people by sharing tips on how to deal with many problems, such as anxiety, body image, relationships and anger. It also includes information about where to get help when needed. The resources available towards the latter pages within the booklet are for local services in each area as well as services that are available across Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight.

Over the last year, lives of children and young people have been affected more than ever, during long periods of national lockdown, with young people sometimes feeling down, worried or anxious. The #littlebluebookofsunshine explains some of the things children and young people can do right now to feel better, and who to turn to if things feel too much.

The booklet is available in Apple Books and Google Play Books. Please feel free to use these links to access and share further. Additional to this, please see attached a PDF version of the booklet. Please note that pending future annual reviews and updates to the booklet, the versions available on Apple Books and Google Play Books will automatically be updated and always up to date.

Please feel free to use the QR codes attached (Apple or Google Play-store) for anyleaflets/communications where you may wish to include a mention to #littlebluebookofsunshine

Autism in Children - Useful resources

Re:Minds: a parent led group for families of children with autism and/or mental health issues.

For further information contact Gil Waring re.mindssouthampton@gmail.com

website: www.reminds.org.uk

facebook:https://www.facebook.com/groups/reminds

Colleagues from the autism assessment service also offer regular drop in’s hosted by Re:Minds 

Parent Advice around School: You may want to contact SENDIASS who can offer specialist support and advice around how to approach your child’s needs with the school.

Telephone: 0300 303 2677

email: southamptoniass@roseroad.org.uk. 

Autism Hampshire: Charity offers advice and support around understanding and managing autism traits

Telephone: 02380 766 162

email:information.advice@autismhampshire.org.uk

Website: https://autismhampshire.org.uk/ 

Early Help:

You can also access parenting groups and other support networks in the City via the early help service.

Telephone: 023 8083 3311

Email: EarlyHelpHub@southampton.gov.uk

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

ADHD Assessment: 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) carry out assessments for children where ADHD is suspected. To get an assessment child needs to show that they have symptoms of ADHD which are negatively affecting their life. Parents also need to have tried to get support before asking CAMHS for an assessment

When a referral form is sent in, there needs to be as much information as possible about the reasons for referral and how it affects child’s life. Once CAMHS have the referral it will be reviewed by the Single Point of Access (SPA) team. Their review may include exploring further information to make sure they fully understand why a child has been referred and what additional support has already been tried before organising a referral. They will then make a decision about accepting the referral or make suggestions regarding additional support to try. Please bear with the service as due to high demand there is a waiting list for the assessment.

Support Services:

Southampton Portage: Southampton Portage is a home teaching service for young children with special educational needs aged 0-3yrs who are delayed in at least two areas of development and their families. Portage is an internationally recognised home teaching programme which offers support, help and advice to families in identifying learning strategies for their child with special needs. 

Health Visiting - Southampton: The Southampton Health Visiting service leads the Healthy Child Programme for children 0-5 years. They provide a universal, targeted and specialist health service to families.  For further information please visit the Healthier Together Website.

Sure Start: Sure Start Children's Centres offer multiple services and activities includeing learning through play, health advice from health professionals, family support, information and guidance on health and nutrition, smoking cessation support, support for families with children with additional needs, speach and language support, training resources and information for parents on childcare, volunteering, training and job opportunities. 

Further informtion regarding support services and opportunities to seek help is provided on downloadable documents below

List of Support Services Available in Southampton

Managing ADHD - Resources for young people and parents/carers

ADHD Guide for parents, patients and professional - a very useful, comprehensive flip book with detailed information about available resources to help parents and patients.

Eating Disorder

   

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ 

  • Skills workshops for carers and those supporting someone with an eating disorder.
  • Eating disorder online support groups for both those suffering and for carers. Various chat rooms can be accessed by clicking here
  • Booklet for parents, families, friends and carers can be accessed here which covers information about eating disorders and treatment
  • The BEAT helpline encourages and supports people to access early treatment and offers guidance on how you might approach the subject if you’re worried about someone you know.
  • Tips poster: spotting the first signs and symptoms is extremely important and this poster provides tips on how to spot the very first signs of an eating disorder

https://www.minded.org.uk/ 

  • Resource for all adults to increase awareness and understanding of Eating Disorders
  • Free e-learning sessions for all those working with children and young people (including Eating Disorders sessions)

  • Parents helpline Monday-Friday 9:30-4pm

https://www.feast-ed.org/ : Peer Support: Global community of parents & family members who support one another with info, peer support and outreach.

https://www.aroundthedinnertable.org/ : Free service provided for parents of those suffering from eating disorders. Moderated by kind, experienced parent caregivers trained to guide you in how to use the forum and how to find resources to help you support your family member.

https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/: Provided by CEntre for Clinical Interventions, Government of Western Australia offers evidence based useful resources for self-help and for those trying to help others. 

Supporting Neurodivergent people into work

Solent Get Into Employment Programme:

If you have a condition affecting your ability to learn and work (neurodiversity such as dylexia, dysprexia, ADHD, Autism) and you are interested to explore opportunities for employment then please consider joining Solent Get Into Employment Programme?

They offer:
  • Employer engagement to ensure the right support is in place.
  • 1-1 employment focused, person centred support delivered in the community.
  • Ongoing employment support once in work.
  • Support to find, gain and sustain paid employment.
  • Retention support for individuals facing difficulties at work.
We will support you with a referral if you meet their criteria as follows:
  • Individuals who live in Southampton and are currently unemployed and looking for employment.
  • Neurodiverse people, including those with Learning Disabilities and Autism.

Suicide Prevention

We are committed to helping patients and their families to prevent suicide. We have put together useful resources for patients and their families to learn about steps that can be taken to help those who are experiencign suicidal thoughts.

  1. Talking openly and honestly about suicidal thoughts and feelings can help to save a life. Here are some resources you might find useful:
  • Visit the Southern Health website to find a local support service
  • Phone the Samaritans on 116 123 for free and confidential telephone advice
  • Access useful information on how to support someone you’re worried about on the Samaritans website

Southern Health are also offering free ‘Life Cards’ which offer advice, help and support to people who are having suicidal thoughts or to someone who is worried about someone they know who is experiencing suicidal thoughts. To find out more about how you can request life cards, visit Southern Health’s website

Amparo: Amparo is a support service for anyone affected by suicide in Hampshire, providing practical and emotional support after bereavement. Support can be provided through one-to-one sessions, in family groups, groups of colleagues or peers. https://amparo.org.uk 

NHS Talking Therapies: Steps2Wellbeing is a free, NHS Talking Therapies service for anxiety and depression for mild to moderate mental wellbeing issues. Although it is not a crisis service, it provides counselling, courses and guided self-help to Southampton City residents registered with a GP. Recognising and treating the early signs of anxiety, depression and stress is a powerful tool in suicide prevention.