Health and wellbeing in Cheshire West and Chester Libraries
Mental health awareness and support
Our libraries offer an extensive range of resources to help raise awareness about mental health whilst also providing access to information that will enable people to lead happier and healthier lives.
Every year as part of mental health awareness week we provide further access to help and support through a programme of activities and events. This is delivered in partnership with local organisations and health agencies.
Sources of information and advice
- Anyone can require urgent mental health support. Please call NHS 111 and select the mental health option to access the help you need.
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
- Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19.
- Live Well Cheshire West: provides local information, support and advice on a wide range of needs.
- Chapter Mental Health: telephone and video call for people living with a mental health diagnosis who need additional support to manage their wellbeing. Call 01244 344 409
- Platform for life: free mental health and emotional wellbeing support to low income families in Blacon and Lache, offering vital services to people in need.
- Every mind matters (NHS): simple and practical ways to ease anxiety, manage stress, lift your mood and sleep better. Improve your mental health with the NHS Mind Plan. The 5 question quiz provides a personalised action plan with tips from mental health experts.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing (NHS): If you are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed or want to feel happier, the NHS website offers support. They also provide mental wellbeing audio guides created by NHS professionals.
- Mental Health Foundation: a UK charity, whose mission is "to help people to thrive through understanding, protecting, and sustaining their mental health”. If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse, or you're worried about someone you know, they can offer help and support.
- Mind: provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Practical advice and tips for everyday living, with links and information to support mental wellbeing. Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
- Rethink Mental Illness: a charity that believes a better life is possible for millions of people affected by mental illness. They run services and support groups that change people's lives and challenge attitudes about mental illness. Call 0300 5000 927
- Silver Cloud: for people aged 16 or over who need help with mental health issues and the emotional challenges associated with long-term conditions. This is an online course to help manage stress, anxiety, and depression. The course is eight weeks long and is designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace.
- Samaritans: a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you 24/7. Call 116123
- Switchboard (LGBT): providing help, understanding and options. No topic is off limits. All volunteers self-define as LGBT+. Call 0300 330 0630
- Childline: there to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything, whether it’s something big or small, trained counsellors are there to support you. Call 0800 1111
- My Mind (NHS): dedicated NHS website for young people and children. Out of hours support and links to West Cheshire Services.
- The Mix: Free information and support for under 25s in the UK, via social media, mobiles and online. Advice given about sex, relationships, drugs, mental health, money and jobs.
- Youth Access: is the advice and counselling network, they believe that every young person has a right to access free, high quality confidential advice and counselling.
- Young Minds: are the UK's leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. With expert advice for parents via the Young Minds’ Parent Helpline.
- Age UK: support for older people including depression and anxiety, coping with bereavement and seasonal affective disorder. They offer The Silverline which provides a 24-hour helpline (365 days a year), offering information, signposting and advice as well as a befriending service to combat loneliness and support mental wellbeing. Call 0800 470 8090.
- Crossroads Together: for people who care (unpaid) for a family member or friend who, due to illness, a disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without support. Crossroads Together supports the wellbeing of these carers by offering help when they need it, either through advice, practical help or a break from caring responsibilities.
- Silver Rainbows: working with Body Positive Cheshire and North Wales, Silver Rainbows provide support and information for the older LGBTQ community. Contact info@silverrainbows.com or health@bpcnw.co.uk or call 01270 653150.
