If you are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed, or just want to feel happier, there are local NHS, care services and voluntary services that can help.
The NHS website has a section dedicated to mental health services. Here you will find information about:
- How to get urgent help for mental health
- Information about feelings and symptoms that can affect your mental health, and advice for coping with life events and difficult situations.
- Information about mental health conditions
- Self help and treatments including medicines and talking therapy and how to find an NHS talking therapy service
- Information for patients and carers about social care support, how to access mental health and physical health assessments, and your rights under the law.
Go to the NHS website for mental health help and advice
Local services
The following services all provide help for people will mental health issues, including depression and stress.
Samaritans
Samaritans offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Telephone: 116 123
Website: www.samaritans.org
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Herts Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
Herts Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services support the emotional and mental well-being of children and young people.
Telephone: 01707 253900
Website: www.hpftcamhs.co.uk
Mind Hertfordshire
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Facebook: HertsMindNetwork
Twitter: @HertsMind
Telephone: 020 3727 3600
Website: www.hertsmindnetwork.org
Rethink
Rethink provide expert, accredited advice and information to everyone affected by mental health problems.
Telephone: 0300 5000 927
Website: www.rethink.org
Email: info@rethink.org
The Living Room
The Living Room run two treatment centres – in Stevenage, and in St Albans. Each centre provides free intensive structured, abstinence-based, day treatment for adults (18 and over) with substance addictions, behavioural addictions and free therapy and support for family and friends.
Telephone: 01438 355649 (Stevenage) or 01727 854479 (St Albans)
Website: www.livingroomherts.org
Email: enquiries@thelivingroom.me.uk
Online services and other self-help
Health Talk Online
Health Talk Online is a charity website helps people to share their experiences of health and illness.
Website: Healthtalk
Kooth
Free anonymous online chat for young people to discuss your mental health issues.
Website: kooth.com
Mental Health Foundation
Information and Support for all mental health issues including Podcasts and Videos.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
ADHD Referral information
There has been unprecedented demand for ADHD diagnosis and treatment nationally and locally across all age groups. There is not enough capacity within the system to carry out these assessments. In addition to the demand, there are difficulties in supply of ADHD medication with national advice not to initiate many of the ADHD medication treatment. With such a significant mismatch in capacity and demand there is an urgent need to prioritise complex and at-risk patients. This will help protect our local specialist mental health services and manage the increasing waiting times for those suffering with complexity and risk. SPA will continue to triage all referrals for ADHD and those not meeting the complexity threshold would be referred back with self-help and signposting
Self Help and Information
• ADDiSS (ADHD information services) National Attention Deficit Disorder Information and Support Service. People-friendly information and resources for parents, teachers, sufferers and professionals. Phone line also available 020 8952 2800 www.addiss.co.uk
• AADD-UK site for and by adults with ADHD What is ADHD? | AADD-UK (aadduk.org)
• ADDers - Promotes awareness of ADHD and provide information with as much free practical help to sufferers, both adults and children, and their families www.adders.org
• ADD-vance - a Hertfordshire based charity that supports families affected by ADHD, Autism or a related condition and the professionals who support them. www.add-vance.org
• Royal College of Psychiatrists - information leaflet
• ADHD UK https://adhduk.co.uk/
• ADHD Foundation The Neurodiversity Charity https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk/
• CBT for ADHD or Coach : BABCP registered CBT therapist list available on: https://www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists
ADHD Self-help book- Russel A. Barkley 'Taking Charge of Adult ADHD' (Guilford Press 2010) and Mary V. Solanto 'Cognitive - Behavioural Therapy for Adult ADHD'
Support for Mental Health Situations and life can change. You may also need help with your mental health in addition to ADHD symptoms. To speak to someone about your mental health, you can contact:
• NHS 111
• Hertshelp for signposting to the most appropriate service 0300 1234044
• Talking therapies Self referral
• Depression pathway Depresion-Pathway-SU-Leaflet_A5-July-Final.pdf (hwetraininghub.org.uk)
• In an emergency call 999/visit the Emergency Department
• Suicide prevention resources and information
• Stay Alive App for services users and their carers/family to download Stay Alive App - Grassroots Suicide Prevention (prevent-suicide.org.uk)
• Samaritans Helpline Number 116123
If you have been referred and you require help whilst waiting you can contact the following:
• HPFT Adult Community Mental Health Team during office hours 01707 253800
• HPFT Mental Health Helpline is available 7 days per week outside office hours on 0800 6444 101
• HPFT Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01707 253916 hpft.pals@nhs.ne