Talk to someone
The first step in getting help is to talk to a trusted friend, colleague, or Wellness in Mind. It’s important to consider whether to see your GP . Your GP is a medical professional who can offer you initial support, treatment, assessment, or referral. If you are worried about talking to your doctor about how you are feeling, download this free guide from the Mental Health Foundation about how to talk to your GP about your mental health
Talking Therapies
Some psychological, or talking therapies, are available on the NHS, via your GP. Other specialist therapies are also available from the voluntary sector, or privately.
Overcoming Stigma
Stigma is when we may feel fearful of disclosing or sharing personal information or vulnerability to others for fear of what they might think or say about us. Stigma can be a barrier which prevents us from getting help, so it’s important to understand it, and have trust and confidence in the services which are there to help.
Diagnosis
For some people a diagnosis can help you understand, and put into a context , what you are experiencing, and help you get appropriate help or treatment. Sometimes a diagnosis can feel stigmatising or like a heavy burden you have to bear. It’s important to be careful around self-diagnosis, which may be both helpful and unhelpful. What is important is how you feel about a diagnosis, and how you manage the symptoms you are experiencing.
Medication
Medication prescribed by your GP or Psychiatrist can help with some types of symptoms and problems. It can be challenging to find the right dose of the right medication that suits you, and you may experience unpleasant side effects. It’s important to remain open about the possible benefits of medication, to make informed choices, and not to stop taking medication abruptly.
It’s important to consider ways in which we can help ourselves, and build wellbeing and resilience.
For more information see www.getselfhelp.co.uk, www.mind.org.uk or www.mentalhealth.org.uk
In a crisis
If you need urgent help with your mental health and live in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire, please visit this page: Nottinghamshire Healthcare.
There are crisis helplines operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Adults phone: 0300 303 0165
Children and young people phone: 0115 844 0560
