Promoting mental health support to help self referrals

This World Mental Health Day (10 October) Wokingham Borough Council is helping residents to find out more about the services available locally to ensure everyone gets the support they need.

While talking to a GP can be an important step for getting help, it is not necessary for accessing all mental health services. There are different types of free, accessible mental health services available, all offering support in different formats. 

The council has an emotional wellbeing hub and this provides a central point of contact for young people, families and professionals to access mental health services.

Cllr David Hare, executive member for health, wellbeing and adult services, said: “It can be incredibly hard to open up and ask for help, especially when you are experiencing issues with your mental health. 

"Each individual’s mental health is important and poor mental health can affect our physical health and wellness. If you are ready to make that first step, there are lots of ways to help you manage your mental wellbeing and self-referral is a route to consider.

“Our mental health is so important in all that we do and should not just be recognised for one day or one week a year. That is why we are determined to make sure all residents have access to the right support when they need it.”

Services available include the Wokingham Wellbeing Service, which is run by the council with Mind in Berkshire and is for people aged 18 and over in Wokingham Borough. 

Free support is available at all GP practices, as well as at the Wokingham Charity and Community Hub, via face-to-face, telephone or video sessions – whichever works best for you.

Claire Shropshall, Wokingham Wellbeing Service manager for Mind in Berkshire, said: “This World Mental Health Day, the Wokingham Wellbeing Service is here for you and you can come straight to us for support. You don’t need a diagnosis or to see a doctor first.

“If you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t know where to start, we can help. At Mind in Berkshire, we believe everyone deserves support with their mental health and wellbeing before they get to the point of feeling unwell. 

"Our one-to-one sessions and peer support groups are available to anyone aged 18 and over living in Wokingham Borough. We will help you put practical things in place that can enable you to feel more able to manage everyday stress and wellbeing challenges.”

To find out more about the Wokingham Wellbeing Service, send them an email or you can call (01865) 247788.

Other services available locally

The Mental Health Integrated Community Service provides interventions for people with significant mental illness. The council and Berkshire NHS trust work together to provide support, this includes specialist social workers, psychiatrists, nurses and more.

The Adult Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) is for adults with severe and enduring mental health needs and is provided jointly by the council and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. After an initial screening, you will be directed to the most appropriate service to meet your needs, one of which may be the CMHT.

Wokingham Recovery College offers free mental health and wellbeing courses, workshops and support groups.

The college provides a safe space where you can be yourself, free from judgement, with co-produced courses designed to teach skills for self-management of emotional wellbeing alongside peer support groups. Anyone over 18 living or working in Wokingham Borough can access the college. To register, complete the online registration form.

About World Mental Health Day

Celebrated every year on 10 October, a theme is set by the World Federation of Mental Health, with this year’s theme about prioritising mental health in the workplace.

There are lots of ways that you can take part in World Mental Health Day. Last year, more than 260,000 people organised a Tea & Talk, helping to raise awareness and funds while getting together to talk about mental health.

If you need someone to talk to, you can also call:

• Sane Line: Offers support for people affected by mental illness. Call 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm to 10.30pm, daily)
• Samaritans: Call 116 123 (freephone, 24 hours every day) or send them an email
• Hopeline (Papyrus): Prevention of young suicide. Call 0800 068 4141, text 07786 209 697 or send them an email

If you need urgent help, but it is not an emergency, call the Mental Health Crisis Team on 0300 365 2000 (option 4) or 0800 129 9999. Always call 999 in an emergency.