If you have urgent concerns for an individual's wellbeing, please call 999.
What is mental health?
Mental health is a state of mental wellbeing that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realise their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community. It is an integral component of health and wellbeing that underpins our individual and collective abilities to make decisions, build relationships and shape the world we live in.
Poor mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm. People with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental wellbeing, but this is not always or necessarily the case.
Some signs that someone is experiencing mental health issues could be:
- Change in dietary patterns, such as eating too much or too little
- They may become more irritable
- Becoming more anxious about little things
- A change in their sleeping patterns, such as sleeping too much or not at all
- Have trouble remembering simple things
- Detaching themselves from people and limiting social contact
- Suicidal thoughts and tendencies
- Inflicting self-harm or fantasising about inflicting injuries on themselves
- Mood changes
How to approach an individual with mental health issues
Some individuals may not acknowledge that they are experiencing mental health issues, and a gentle approach is required in these situations.
Consider how you would like to be approached and be understanding and considerate of their situation.
Do not be aggressive towards the individual, and do not argue or minimalise their concerns. Instead, listen to what they have to say and acknowledge their concerns.
Get support from MindGetting the appropriate help
Encourage them to contact their GP, and they can refer you to relevant professionals.
LGBTQ+ mental health support
MindOut is a mental health service run by and for lesbians, gay, bisexual, trans and queer people with experience of mental health issues.
MindOutTrans mental health support
Gendered Intelligence is a trans-led and trans-involving charity that works to increase understandings of gender diversity and improve the lives of trans people.
Gendered IntelligenceWomens' mental health support
Tomorrow's Women is a charity for women, run by women, offering support with a range of issues including domestic abuse, mental health, substance misuse, wellbeing & confidence, and social isolation.
Tomorrow's WomenMens' mental health support
Movember is a leading charity taking on three of the biggest health issues affecting men: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.
Movember
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
CAMHS is a free service run by your local NHS and is made up of medical and mental health professionals. Struggling with your mental health can be tough and you don't have to do it alone. CAMHS can help if you're experiencing depression, eating problems, self-harm or other mental health issues.
Childline CAMHS Support
Age UK
The Age UK Network is made up of independent charities all working in partnership to change how we age. They are experts in their local areas and their services are driven by what their communities need. Here is their information and advice on a range of topics related to looking after your health and wellbeing as you get older, and how to get face-to-face advice at your local Age UK.
Age UK Health and Wellbeing adviceWhen to use NHS 111 online or call 111
NHS 111 can help if you think you need medical help right now. 111 can direct you to the best place to get help if you cannot contact your GP during the day, or when your GP is closed (out-of-hours).
111 online is for people aged 5 and over. Call 111 if you need help for a child under 5.
Answer questions about your symptoms on the website or in the NHS App and you will be told what to do next.
This information is sourced from the official NHS 111 guidelines.
You can get an emergency supply of regularly prescribed medicine from 111 online for someone of any age.
111 online does not issue a prescription, but sends a request to a local pharmacy for a limited supply of medicine, until you can organise your regular repeat prescription.
111 online can help with dental problems. This might mean finding a dentist, or an emergency dentist if there is availability in your area.
111 online cannot:
- issue fit notes – you need to contact your GP
- make or cancel appointments for you in other parts of the NHS
111 online asks for feedback, but this is only used to help improve the service.
111 online is unable to respond to requests for medical help left as feedback.
Call 111 instead if you:
- need help for a child under 5
- have complex problems caused by an existing medical condition
- have a care plan from your doctor for your current health problem
- need to get end-of-life care
Find out what happens when you call 111.
Waiting for a callback from a 111 nurse
Depending on your symptoms, you may have been offered a callback from a nurse when you used 111. You cannot request one.
The time you will wait is based on the symptoms you told 111 about. The callback service is usually busier at weekends and on bank holidays.
People with the most serious symptoms are called back first.
If you booked a callback using 111 online
The confirmation page describes what will happen next and what you should do if your symptoms get worse while you are waiting.
If you are waiting for a callback from the 111 telephone service
You are in a queue. You do not need to contact 111 again unless your symptoms have changed or got worse.
If your symptoms get worse while you are waiting
Call 111 for children under 5. Anyone over the age of 5 can check their symptoms online or call 111.
If you have signs of a life-threatening illness or have tried to end your life, call 999 now.
If you miss the call
A nurse will try and call you up to 3 times. If they cannot contact you they will leave a message, but you will not be able to call them back.
You will have to use 111 online or call 111 again and start from the beginning.
You cannot cancel the call
A nurse needs to check you're ok. If you feel better or have got help elsewhere, tell the nurse when they call.
Text relay
Call 18001 111 using text relay, 24 hours a day.
British sign language (BSL)
Help in other languages
Call 111 and ask for an interpreter.
Substance Misuse
Substance misuse can be a sign of underlying issues, such as mental health problems or trauma.
Many people that develop substance dependency have an issue with coping with traumatic events, and others may start to take substances recreationally. Without realising, they become dependent and crave the substance.
What are the signs of substance misuse?
Some signs that an individual has a substance misuse problem can be, but are not limited to:
- Continuing to take a drug, even if they no longer have a medical need for it
- Spending a lot of time talking about substances or their need for them
- A decline in interest in other things
- An inclination to petty crime, such as theft
- Constant borrowing of funds to pay for substances
- A personality change
How to interact with someone with a substance misuse problem
Be tactful, non-judgmental, and plan the conversation – what points you will raise, potential responses and potential reactions are things to consider. It is important to be understanding and not aggressive or accusative – a compassionate approach is best in these situations. Raise your concerns and let them speak and listen to what they have to say. Talk about your concerns, and if they insist, they are fine; back down.
Find drug and alcohol support near you
