Down or low
Everyone gets down now and again and this can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming and impossible. For most of us, this will pass if we do some simple things, even though we might not feel up to it.
Down or low?
Urgent mental health support
Over 18: Anyone experiencing an urgent mental health crisis can phone 111 and select the option for mental health, when prompted, to speak to a specially-trained mental health practitioner.
Under 18: Phone the 24-hour Single Point of Access on 0800 011 3474 (select option one, then option three)
0800 011 3474
How do you feel?
The symptoms of depression can be complex and vary widely between people. As a general rule, if you are depressed, you feel:
- sad
- hopeless
- lose interest in things you used to enjoy.
It's important you take this seriously and seek help. You can find a list of possible symptoms and assess your mood at NHS.uk.
Self-help and online tools
Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters has resources to help you cope with both stress and anxiety. You can build Your Mind Plan by answering five questions in an interactive quiz.
NHS audio guides
A series of mental wellbeing NHS audio guides to help you boost your mood. You can listen to them privately, in your own time, to help you through feelings such as anxiety or a low mood.
Reading Well
Reading Well for mental health provides helpful information and support for managing common mental health conditions or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences.
Books are available to borrow from your local library. Selected titles are also available to borrow as e-books and audiobooks.
More information is also available on Medway Council or Kent County Council websites, depending on where you live.
Services for you
Qwell
Whether you are feeling low, grieving the loss of a loved one, going through family and relationship issues and/or feeling anxious, help is there for you through Qwell, seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year
Support includes one-to-one text-based chat sessions (available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays, and from 6pm to 10pm at the weekend).
If you live in Kent and are aged between 18 and 25, you can access Qwell.
If you live in Medway and are aged 18 or over you can access Qwell Medway. The Medway offer is for parents (perinatal), adults and care leavers.
Live Well Kent and Medway
Live Well Kent and Medway offers support with keeping active and healthy and everyday living.
Kent and Medway Safe Havens
Safe Havens offer face-to-face mental health support for those living in Kent and Medway and offer an open-door policy for anyone needing help who is known, or not known to mental health services. Find out more about Safe Havens.
Take Off (east Kent)
Take Off provide groups in east Kent for people who are aged 16 and over and in need of support but are not in crisis.
Website: https://www.takeoffworks.org/
People may attend if they are experiencing:
- loneliness
- no mental health diagnosis but experiencing difficulties such as low mood
- living with a diagnosis, for example Bipolar, CED, Anxiety, Depression, Schizophrenia
- living with a neurodiversity diagnosis
- waiting for a diagnosis of ADHD or ASC.
Our groups are available in:
- Ashford
- Canterbury
- Dover
- Folkestone
- Thanet
- online.
Groups include, but are not limited to:
- Managing depression and anxiety
- Creative groups:
• cooking on a budget
• digital inclusion
• managing pain
• awaiting diagnosis (ASC and ADHD).
Take Off welcomes referrals or self-referrals. You can self-refer using the contact form at: www.takeoffworks.org/contact-us
Release the Pressure
Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern. Visit the Release the Pressure website for more information.
NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies
NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies is a free and confidential NHS service offering mental health support to anyone aged 17-and-a-half-years-old and over in Kent and Medway.
The service supports people experiencing common mental health problems, such as depression, anxiety, stress and panic - helping you to feel more like yourself again.
You can self-refer without seeing your GP by visiting the NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies website, or via nhs.uk/talk.
Have you tried the Better Health Mind Plan?
Better Health Every Mind Matters has launched a campaign to support the nation's mental wellbeing. At the heart of the campaign is the free, NHS-approved Mind Plan.
By answering five questions online, adults will get a personalised mental health action plan with practical tips for helping deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better, and feel more in control.
Search the Every Mind Matters website to see what works for you.
Samaritans
When life is difficult, Samaritans are there to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. No judgement, no pressure. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org