What should I do if I need support with my mental health?
The first thing you should do is contact your doctor (GP) and discuss it with them. Your GP can make referrals for you to receive NHS counselling for free if you ask them to or can prescribe medication if needed. Though you need to be aware that the waiting lists for this are very long.
There are also several mental health charities and organisations across Northern Ireland which may be able to help while you wait for a health service appointment.
- Action Mental Health: you can refer yourself for counselling services without needing a GP to do so for you - https://www.amh.org.uk/counselling-guidelines/
- Aware NI: https://aware-ni.org/
- Belfast Central Mission: offers counselling for those aged under 25 : https://www.belfastcentralmission.org/what-we-do/for-young-people/therapeutic-counselling
- CALM: have some resources on counselling and a webchat service: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
- Carer’s NI: gives expert advice, information, and support. It connects carers so nobody has to care alone. The organisation campaigns together for lasting change and innovates to find new ways to reach and support carers.Telephone: 028 9043 9843 - www.carersuk.org/northernireland
- Counselling all Nations: have counselling for adults and offer interpreters as well: https://www.counsellingallnations.org/getting-help
- Lifeline: Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. Calls to Lifeline are free to people living in Northern Ireland. Telephone: 0808 808 8000 https://www.lifelinehelpline.info/ -
- Lighthouse charity Belfast: https://lighthousecharity.com/
- Mindwise: have some counselling supports and offer advice on finances and housing as well: https://www.mindwisenv.org/what-we-do/mindwise-services/
- Papyrus: PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They provide a confidential support and advice service for: Children and Young People under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Telephone: 0800 068 4141/ 078 6003 9967- www.papyrus-uk.org
- Rainbow Project: Promoting the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, along with that of their families, in Northern Ireland. Telephone: 028 9031 9030 - www.rainbow-project.org -
- Samaritans: Samaritans provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or, in most cases, talk with someone face to face. Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call). https://www.samaritans.org/