Mental Health and Well Being
What's on this page
- Covid-19 support
- Where to access support
- A Slice of Happiness
- Mental well-being
- Suicide
- Mental Health Services for Children and Young People
** COVID-19 support **
The wide range of support for people who have mental health concerns includes:
ASCEND 'Get Ahead' Mental Health Support Group meet every Thursday at 4pm, usually for the duration of a 40 minute Zoom but if time permits or there is need we sign back in to extend the time. It is a great opportunity for people to check-in, discuss their week and to support each other. For further details about joining the group contact Jane Drury, Healthy Hub Officer, 020 8428 6725, Healthyhub@ascend.org.uk.
Hertfordshire Mind Nework Crisis Café provide telephone mental health support remotely via the NightLight Crisis Helpline. Please call on 01923 256 391 if you would like to talk to someone, they are available as follows:
- 7pm - 1am 7 days a week,365 days a year
The Crisis Café Watford is staffed by a team of crisis support workers and coordinators as well as crisis support volunteers who are on hand to listen to you and work alongside you to support you during your crisis. They understand that everyone’s crisis is unique to them, at the Crisis Café you can access support in a way that suits you. Whether that’s through talking to someone or simply having time to yourself.
The Crisis Café Watford will be open during the following hours:
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Monday to Friday: 6pm - 11pm
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Saturday and Sunday: 3pm - 11pm
If you are in distress and would like to talk to someone, please call during the opening hours on 01923 256391 to see how we can best support you.
Hertfordshire's Young People's Helpline is available for young people aged 10-17 that are experiencing a dip in mental health and wellbeing. To talk to someone please call 01923 256391. The opening times are as followed:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 1pm - 4.30pm
- Tuesday and Thursday: 5pm - 7.30pm
- Saturday: 10am - 1pm
Herts Mind Network are working remotely and are continuing to provide support through phone, Skype and online provisions. Please see the timetable to see what services are available: Hertfordshire Mind Services Timetable (pdf)
Three Rivers Community Support Service (CSS) have resumed face to face, holistic support for mental ill-health and wellbeing. To access the services contact them on 01923 727356 or email them at css@hertfordshiremind.org.
Three Rivers Leisure website is being frequently updated with a range of activities and advice during the pandemic. It provides a range of ideas to keep residents of all ages and fitness levels entertained, busy and fit, whilst face to face activities are still on hold.
Age UK Befriending Service offers older people the chance to share a friendly chat on the telephone with a weekly call from one of our volunteers. To get in touch you can contact them on 01923 256 361.
Herts Help is available for residents who are self-isolating and in need of support on mental wellbeing, receiving a phone call, as well as food and medication collection or delivery. They are also a signposting and advice service which can help direct people to the right support. For support please call 0300 123 4044 or email info@hertshelp.net.
NHS HPFT’s Single Point of Access is for people in a mental health crisis who live in Hertfordshire - 0300 777 0707 from 8am – 7pm, 01438 843322 out of hours or email: hpft.spa@nhs.net
Samaritans is available to talk to anyone feeling low or suicidal. You can call them on 116 123, 24 hours a day, every day.
The National NHS ‘Every Mind Matters’ website has expert advice and practical tips for people experiencing anxiety, low mood and sleep problems.
Residents, services and community groups who would like to volunteer - either physically or remotely - can contact Team Herts on 01462 689 409 or via enquiries@thvolunteering.org.uk
The Government has published guidance on support for mental health and well being: Guidance for the public on mental health and well being.
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Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem this year. In England, 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (i.e. anxiety or depression) in any given week.
Common mental health problems include, anxiety, depression, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder and panic disorders. Some behaviours, such as hoarding, are considered to be related to mental health problems.
When you’re living with a mental health problem, or supporting someone who is, having access to the right information about a condition, practical issues and treatment options is vital.
National Mind provides information on a range of mental health problems.
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A Slice of Happiness (A project of Watford and Three Rivers Trust) is a charity based in Hertfordshire supporting those facing redundancy, unemployed, or on Universal Credit using an approach called The Three Principles. The Podcasts show how simple, yet powerful this understanding is to show that 'nobody is broken' Supported by the NHS and in Partnership with Coventry University Research Centre.
Many people struggle with difficult emotions during and after traumatic events. They live trapped in these events, which can lead to self destructive behaviour, feeling hopeless and unable to move forward in life.
A Slice of Happiness offers support which helps people to wake up to new possibilities and the potential we all have within us to experience peace of mind and contentment.
You can listen to testimonial podcasts of people who have been helped by their services here.
You can also find their website here, you will find more information as well as refer or make a self referral using the link here
For general enquiries regarding A Slice of Happiness, please e-mail carolinepowell@asliceofhappiness.org
Mental Well-being
The campaign Every Mind Matters aims to promote good mental health and encourages people to take steps to look after their mental health even when we are not experiencing any problems.
The NHS suggests 5 steps people can take to improve their mental well-being.
Three Rivers District takes part in “Empower Half Hour”. These are a series of 30 minute activities, similar to the NHS recommendations, to improve and maintain mental well-being.
Suicide
In 2018 there were 6,507 suicides in the UK. We don’t want anyone to get to a point where they feel suicide is the only option.
Samaritans is a charity that provides 24/7 telephone support to people experiencing suicidal thoughts. For support 24 hours a day call on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
The nearest Samaritans branch for residents of Three Rivers is 45 St John’s Road, Watford. Check here for opening times.
The Hertfordshire Suicide Prevention Network engages multiple agencies to prevent suicide, and lists support available to Hertfordshire residents.
The Stay Alive App is a suicide prevention resource containing information and tools to help you stay safe in a crisis. The app also includes a safety plan and provides a place where you can store photos and memories important to you, to remind you of reasons for living.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. You can call them on 0800 58 58 58. Lines are open 5pm to midnight every day or visit the webchat page
Papyrus provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe. For people under 35 you can call them on 0800 068 41 41. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 10pm, weekends and bank holidays 2pm to 10pm. Or you can text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Mental Health Services for children and young people
Find information and contact details for mental health services and tools available to young people and children across the district including for organisations such as