Mental health

If you are concerned about yourself, or a family member's mental health, please contact your GP. 

There is extra support available to help you to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. See our Look after your mental health and wellbeing page for more information.

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

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.

Community Floating Support

Community Floating Support - for adults with mental health issues is for people over the age of 18 years with mental health issues, who do not have the support of a social worker or care coordinator. 

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) across County Durham has a single point of access for referrals and self-referrals. To contact the team please email tewv.camhscountydurhamdarlington@nhs.net or call 0300 1239296. 

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.