Winter can be a tough time for many of us.

One in four of us will experience a mental health issue each year in England. Mild to moderate anxiety and depression are common, with typical symptoms including low mood, lack of motivation, tearfulness, feeling worried, change in appetite or weight, lack of energy, disturbed sleep patterns and avoiding social situations. It’s important to seek early help before the issues become worse.
Whatever issues you’re experiencing, our services and partners are here to help, this winter and beyond.

If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, you can call 111 and select the mental health option (option 2).

Available 24/7, you'll speak to one of our mental health advisors who will listen and help you find the right support.

It's for all ages, including children and young people. You can call for yourself, or for someone else.

The new number aims to make it easier for people to find the right support in a mental health crisis.

Click here for details of other external helplines, which can help with a range of issues.

In an emergency, phone 999 or go to your nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department.

For everyone:

If you're over 18:

  • NHS Talking Therapies: support if you are struggling with anxiety and low mood. Our Silver Cloud self-help programme has little to no waiting times and you can instantly access support and materials that have been proven to work
  • Military veterans’ services: support for British ex-serving personnel experiencing mental health difficulties, related to your time and experiences in the armed forces. 
  • Re-engage (external charity): provides free support for over 75s who are lonely or isolated. This can include a regular call from one of their companions, tea parties, activity sessions and more
  • Age UK (external charity): wide range of support, advice and care for older people; supporting you to remain active, independent and avoid being isolated
  • Early attachment services (parent-infant mental health in Bury, Oldham, the Rochdale borough and Tameside and Glossop): support for parents during pregnancy and parents and babies up until their second birthday

 

Loneliness and social isolation support (Chatty Cafes)

  • The Chatty Café Scheme is a non-profit organisation tackling loneliness and offers three services designed to reduce loneliness and/or social isolation. They include face to face meet ups at venues offering ‘Chatter and Natter’ tables where customers can get together and have a chat, virtual sessions, and a telephone service. 

 

Children and young people:

  • School-based mental health support: support for children aged 4 to 18, who are experiencing low level emotional and behavioural difficulties. Visit our CAMHS webpage or speak to a teacher or the school mental health lead for more information about support at your school.
  • #Thrive (Rochdale borough only): support for children and teenagers experiencing emotional health and wellbeing issues. You must live or be registered with a GP practice in Heywood, Middleton or Rochdale. The team can also support and advise parents, carers and anyone who works with a child or young person
  • Community eating disorders service: care and support for children and young people with an eating disorder. Support is also available to families, carers, and those who work with, or support, a child or young person
  • Early attachment service (parent-infant mental health in Bury, Oldham, the Rochdale borough and Tameside and Glossop): support for parents during pregnancy and for parents and babies up until their second birthday
  • External resources: apps, videos, guides and websites to support with a range of issues and conditions

Bury

  • BIG in Mental Health is an independent charity run by, and for people with experience of mental and emotional distress. They help anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Their groups are free to attend and don't require a referral.

Oldham 

  • Tameside, Oldham and Glossop (TOG) Mind provide a variety of services to help with mental wellbeing; counselling, guided wellbeing services, Tameside Wellbeing Hub, peer support, low-level drop-in sessions for anxiety management.

  • Listening Space (provided by Mind) is a walk-in service for any adult in Oldham experiencing mental health difficulties. You can receive help and advice from peer support workers, or just have a calm space to attend to feel safe. 

Rochdale 

  • Listening Lounge (provided by Mind) is a walk-in service for any adult in Rochdale experiencing mental health difficulties. You can receive help and advice from peer support workers, or just have a calm space to attend to feel safe. 

Stockport 

  • Making Space/Open Door is a service for people aged 18+ in Stockport. They offer you support via telephone, video calling and face to face at their safe haven in the town centre. There is also an Open Door 24/7 helpline which provides emotional support whenever you need it. Call 0800 138 7276.

Tameside 

  • SAFE Tameside is a service for those looking for urgent face-to-face mental health support. You can get help and advice and meet others with lived experience of mental health in a safe, relaxed and friendly environment.