Mental health support for adults

Supporting our mental health

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.

Although mental ill health can happen to any of us, there are many ways we can support our own mental health to try and stay mentally well.

Now You're Talking

Now You're Talking Transcript (PDF, 97.7kb)

We've all got stuff going on, but remember, talking to someone you trust can often help. The "Now You're Talking" campaign encourages us all to try and open up about our mental health, and to encourage us to talk to someone we may be worried about. Is there someone you trust, who you could talk to if you're feeling a bit low, anxious or uncertain?

5 Ways to Wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are five steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing, these are known as the 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

MIND

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. In particular, MIND gives tips for everyday living.

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.

NHS: Your Mind Plan quiz

Get help

If you feel you need a little extra support, there are care and support services available to help you.

You can also download and print the following document as a great starting point to help you access support:

• Mental health and emotional support for adults in County Durham (PDF, 224.4kb)

• Note: Opening times may change over the holiday period. Please check the organisations website for the most up to date information.

The following groups and services may also help:

Mental Health Alliance

The Mental Health Alliance is a new collaborative approach providing a range of support services including prevention, early identification and recovery support for people who are experiencing mental health issues.  This collaborative approach is known as an 'Alliance' where a number of providers pool together their skills, knowledge and resources for the benefit of people in County Durham and aim to provide an improved streamlined service.

The Alliance is a free service for people to access and will provide mental health, wellbeing and recovery services to those needing support. The type of support available will include:

• Supported accommodation
•  Physical activities
• Vocational and educational activities
• Support with employability
• Befriending
• Suicide prevention/postvention support
• Bereavement
• Relationship support
• Women only activities
• Drop-in
• Floating support - providing support in your own home or in the community
• Mental health hospital discharge service
• MH anti-stigma/discrimination awareness training

The service is open for self referral or referrals made by organisations. Please click Referral – Durham Mental Wellbeing Alliance for more information. 

Stamp It Out Partnership Hub

The Stamp It Out Partnership Hub in County Durham works to promote and protect your health, particularly those people living with mental health conditions. It also works to help change the way people think and act about mental health.

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.

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 us to find out if any of these services can offer support.

Don't forget, your local GP is also available to help.