Mental health support for adults
We all experience mental health. Like our physical health it changes constantly and is affected by what is happening around us. There are care and support services available to help you.
If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, it's important to get support - support is still available even if services seem busy at the moment because of coronavirus. You can find out where to get urgent help for mental health on the NHS website.
Mental health problems are common and can happen to anybody. Around 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem this year and a quarter of people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life. In County Durham over 51,000 adults have depression and 1 in 10 of our children have a diagnosed mental health disorder.
We have a key role in promoting wellbeing and improving mental health in our communities. In 2018 we signed the Time to Change pledge in our commitment to supporting people to be able to talk more openly about mental health.
Time to Change Hub
County Durham has been selected as a Time to Change hub to help change the way people think and act about mental health.
Get help
See our
Mental health and emotional support for adults in County Durham (PDF, 365.9kb)
leaflet for a great starting point to help you access support.
TEWV crisis line
Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) crisis line is a 24/7 service for people experiencing a mental health crisis. To contact the team please telephone: 08000 516 171, or you can find further information on the TEWV Information about crisis services webpage.
Time to Change
Working to end mental health discrimination. Your attitude to mental health could change someone's life. The Time to Change website also has a dedicated section for employers.
Every Mind Matters
Every Mind Matters: The "Your Mind Plan" helps you build a practical plan you can use to help maintain and improve your mental health and wellbeing.
Locate
Our Locate - care and support in County Durham website gives details of mental health support groups and other organisations which may be able to help.
Talking Changes
Talking Changes deliver counselling services in County Durham and Darlington.
MIND
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Specialist support teams
You may also be able to get help from specialist health and social care teams drawn from a variety of organisations including the council and the NHS. There are teams to support:
- people with mental illness and their carers
- mental illnesses associated with ageing, eg dementia or Alzheimer's
- learning disabilities
Contact Social Care Direct to find out if any of these services can offer support.
- First Contact/Social Care Direct
- First Contact/Social Care Direct
- 03000 267 979
- 0191 383 5752
- Get urgent help for mental health
- Look after your mental health and wellbeing
- Look after your mental health
- Mental health and coronavirus
- Mental health support for children, young people and families
- Health and disability services
- Acting on someone's behalf
- Get money off your council tax bill
- Help to avoid becoming homeless
