There are many events and situations in your life that could cause stress and lead to mental health difficulties. It’s important to understand that whatever the cause, you’re not alone, and there is help and support available to you.
You’ll find lots of useful services on this page that will help you through difficult times.
Help could be at the end of the phone or at the click of a mouse. Find the right support for you in the drop down boxes below.
It can be difficult to talk about mental health and especially hard to talk to people or ask for help. Doc Ready has put together some tools that will help you prepare for the first time you speak to some about your mental health.
By visiting www.qwell.io, adults aged 18-years-old and over in Kent and Medway can access support for all mental health issues seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year.
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.
Support includes one-to-one text-based chat sessions (available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays, and from 6 to 10pm at the weekend).
Live Well Kent and Medway
Live Well Kent and Medway offers support with keeping active and healthy and everyday living including managing your money, debt and benefits, housing support and guidance, and accessing counselling. Visit the website or phone 0800 567 7699.
NHS Talking Therapies
If you are struggling with anxiety and/or depression, NHS talking therapies is a free, effective and confidential way to treat common mental health issues.
You can find out about and refer yourself to talking therapy services in Kent and Medway on the Help Kent and Medway website, or via nhs.uk/talk. You can ask your GP for a referral
or self-refer by phoning 03330 910414 or text ‘KMTALK’ to 88802
Need Help?
Need Help? signposts to a range of different services depending on your age, location and illness.
There are a host of different support services available for students
The Primary Care Student Mental Health Service
The Primary Care Student Mental Health Service, run by University Medical Centre, supports undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 and over in Kent and Medway who are struggling with their mental health.
Student Minds empowers students and members of the university community to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own mental health and support others.
Student nightline
Nightline is a listening, emotional support and information service, run by students for students. Nightlines are open at night, run by trained, caring, fellow student volunteers. Nightline can be contacted by phone, face-to-face, by email or by online chat.
Student Space offers one-to-one support for whatever challenge you’re facing, designed for students. Whether it’s your mental health, your studies, money, housing or relationships, they can support you.
YoungMinds
youngminds.org.uk is leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
Are you feeling a bit low or depressed? You can find other support services on our Down or Low pages
CHUMS specialist bereavement support
CHUMS offer specialist bereavement support to children and young people from three and half until their 26th birthday.
This specialist bereavement service is provided by a wide range of experienced, trained professionals and volunteers. Support can be tailored to provide evidence-based interventions to children and young people through one-to-one, group and drop-in sessions.
Drug and alcohol use
We Are With You offers free, confidential support for anyone aged 11 to 25 who is worried about their drug and/or alcohol use in Kent: www.wearewithyou.org.uk
Help and support is out there for those who have an eating disorder to enable them to take back control of their life. You can find out more or self-refer by phoning 0300 300 1980 or by emailing KentandMedwayEatingDisordersService@nelft.nhs.uk. Alternatively, you can ask your GP to refer you.
The Mind and Body programme helps young people to better manage thoughts and behaviours associated with self-harm. In Kent, support is available for 13 to 25-year-olds while in Medway support is available for 18 to 25-year-olds.
You can phone 01795 500882 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to get advice about how to manage difficult thoughts and feelings.
METRO charity supports schools in Medway to develop and expand PRIDE clubs for LGBTQ+ students. If you are interested in finding out more about this then contact: youth@metrocharity.org.uk
It's important to look after our mental health and wellbeing.
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 simple 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.
