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Men's mental health support
If you need support or are worried about someone else, there are helplines, websites and apps that can help.
You can also read this Letter of Hope from the Somerset NHS Foundation to remind you that there is always hope for recovery.
If you are having thoughts of suicide or acts of self harm, or you are worried about someone else please dial 999 or call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free. There are other local support lines that can help such as Mindline Somerset, a confidential listening service which provides a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. Call free on 0800 138 1692.
Local support
Open Mental Health
Open Mental Health is a Somerset alliance of local voluntary organisations and the NHS. They work to ensure the residents of Somerset get the support they need, when they need it.
Citizens Advice Somerset
Free, confidential and impartial advice on a range of topics including welfare benefits, housing, debt and money, and relationships.
Bridgwater Food and Support Alliance
Homeless drop in services, foodbank and emergency care packages.
Samaritans in Taunton and Somerset
and Yeovil, Sherbourne and district
Providing a safe place to talk for people struggling to cope.
SARSAS
Support for people affected by rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives.
Somerset and Wessex Easting Disorder Association
Supporting those affected by eating disorders. There to listen, without judgement, and provide support.
Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support
Support if you’re coping with the aftermath of a suicide. Offers emotional support as well as guidance through the trauma of sorting out personal affairs.
National support
Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide. You can also find support for yourself or if you are worried about others.
Suicide prevention advice for young people. Helpline open every day of the year.
ASSISTLine, a free to call telephone listening and signposting service open 24/7.
Helpline providing a listening service, information, emotional and spiritual support from a Christian perspective.
The Men's Health Forum is a charity supporting men's health in England, Wales and Scotland.
Helpline: 03444 775 774
Text: 07537 416 905
Offers an extensive range of support services designed to help you to control your anxiety.
If you're having trouble with your drinking, or if drinking has reached the point where it worries you, you may be interested in Alcoholics Anonymous and the AA programme of recovery.
Independent advocacy charity working across the South West of England. High-quality, independent advocacy services supporting a range of vulnerable people.
The UK’s leading mental health support database, bringing local, national, community, charity, private and NHS support and services together in one place.
You might be able to get free and confidential advice from Civil Legal Advice (CLA) as part of legal aid if you’re in England or Wales.
Useful apps & communities
Samaritans Self-help app helps you to keep track of how you're feeling, and receive recommendations for coping and staying safe in a crisis.
The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource you can use for yourself or if you are worried about others.
Side By Side is a friendly online community from Mind where you can talk about mental health struggles and get support from others.
Suicide bereavement in Somerset
If you’re coping with the aftermath of a suicide, then please do contact Somerset Suicide Bereavement Support Service. They’re here to help support you in the weeks and months following a bereavement.
They offer emotional support as well as guidance through the trauma of sorting out personal affairs. The service operates 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Thinking of suicide?
If you’re finding things overwhelming and you’re thinking about suicide, there are people you will help and people you can turn to, right now.
These are very difficult times and it’s ok that you want help to get through. See below for numbers you can call locally in Somerset and also national organisations too.
If you are in crisis and need immediate support please dial 999 or call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free.
You can text SHOUT to 85258 and a trained crisis volunteer will text you back. This is great if you find talking on the phone challenging. It is completely free and available 24/7.
There are other local support lines that can help such as Somerset Mindline free on 0800 138 1692
Here we have tips you may wish to try:
- Talk to someone: a friend, a family member, the Samaritans, your GP.
- Find a safe space: somewhere with no stress and good support
- Avoid drinking alcohol and taking drugs
- Get involved: maybe meet up with a friend or join an exercise group
- Getting to know yourself: so you can recognise your signs of stress, for example, physical symptoms like palpitations, or drinking more alcohol or withdrawing from life.
Every Mind Matters also has helpful tools for you to manage your mental health.
You can also find numbers, websites, apps and groups of for other organisations who you can turn to for support here.
Worried about someone?
If you’re worried that someone you know and care about is thinking about suicide, then ask them directly: are you thinking about suicide? This question will not encourage them, it will in fact help to name the very thing that needs to be looked at. It could be the first step to getting the help they need. We know that talking about suicide saves lives. Please see below for organisations and helplines to turn to if you need support.
If you worried about someone in crisis and believe they need immediate support please dial 999 or call the Samaritans on 116 123 for free.
There are other local support lines that can help such as Somerset Mindline free on 0800 138 1692