Your NHS is here for you if you need support with your mental health

The coronavirus pandemic and related health concerns, physical and social isolation, job losses and a general atmosphere of change and uncertainty are contributing to many people feeling quite anxious.

That’s why the NHS in Leeds is urging people to look after their emotional wellbeing and to seek help if they have concerns about their mental health.

Dr Gwyn Elias, GP and Clinical Lead for Mental Health for NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group said “While on the surface, life is starting to look more normal, these are still very strange times and that’s bound to have an impact on how we’re feeling.

“It’s really important to acknowledge that; to pay attention to our feelings and to look after our emotional and mental wellbeing, just as we look after our physical health.

“There are many resources to support mental health and wellbeing for everyone on the NHS Choices website (https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression)

“In Leeds, we also have a range of support that people can access, including self-help resources, helplines and crisis services. The starting point is the MindWell website, which has a wealth of information and guides, as well as links to key services.

“If you feel you need to speak to someone, we also have a new mental health support line, which provides confidential support, advice, information and guidance for anyone concerned about their mental health available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

“The NHS is still here for you and we have lots of different services in the city that can help.”

Anyone registered with a Leeds GP can call the new mental health helpline on 0800 183 0558. The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and complements mental health services already available in Leeds. These include:

MindWell – the mental health website for people in Leeds. The site includes a coronavirus mental health information hub which brings together information about self-help resources for mental health and where people in Leeds can find help for their mental health as well as practical offers of support during the Covid-19 pandemic www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk

The NHS Every Mind Matters website also includes a wide range of resources to help with anxiety, low mood and stress
Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service – is for anyone aged 17+ registered with a Leeds GP and provides support and psychological therapies for common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. The service also provides online therapy courses and self-management tools which are available at any time day and night to help with a wide range of issues including stress and anxiety, mindfulness, depression and bereavement. Help is available immediately through online courses at https://leeds.omnitherapy.org/.
If you prefer talking therapies you can also refer yourself through the website – leedsmentalwellbeingservice.co.uk

Children and young people can visit the Mindmate website for information and support about their emotional health and wellbeing – www.mindmate.org.uk

Support for people in crisis is also available:

Connect – a survivor-led local helpline which offers emotional support and information to people in Leeds every night from 6pm-2am on 0808 800 1212. Connect also provides online support through instant chat for people – www.lslcs.org.uk. Connect specialises in working with people at risk of suicide and self-harm and those with complex mental health needs.
Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s (LYPFT) Single Point of Access (SPA) – if you, or someone you’re worried about, needs urgent care or treatment for a mental health crisis call the SPA on 0300 300 1485 (open 24/7, every day).

Anyone whose life is in immediate danger should call 999.