External Support and Advice

Cumbria County Council

Cumbria County Council have lots of information on health and wellbeing on their website including information from Public Health, stopping smoking and healthy eating.
https://cumbria.gov.uk/healthandwellbeing/

How are you?

Take the free One You health quiz 'How Are You' to get personalised recommendations on how to start the fight back to a healthier you. Check your score and see what One You suggests.
https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/how-are-you-quiz/

5 steps to mental wellbeing

Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/

The Samaritans

The Samaritans are there, day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope, who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.  Samaritans is not only for the moment of crisis, we’re taking action to prevent the crisis.

https://www.samaritans.org/

First Steps

First Step is part of Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust and provides free, talking therapies to adults (18+) in North Cumbria (for individuals living in South Cumbria please visit NHS North Cumbria Talking Therapies - Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust). First Step can help with a range of common mental health problems including mild to moderate depression, anxiety disorders (such as chronic worry, panic attacks, health anxiety and obsessions), mild bulimia, anger or sleep problems.  A link to their webpages is https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/services/first-step/

Depression and Anxiety Self assessment Quiz

This quiz can help you better understand how you've been feeling recently. https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/depression-anxiety-self-assessment-quiz/

Mind

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem and campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

https://www.mind.org.uk/

Action for Happiness

Action for Happiness helps people take action for a happier and kinder world and includes happiness programmes and ideas. 

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/

Mental Health Foundation

The Mental Health Foundation take a public mental health approach to prevention, finding solutions for individuals, those at risk and for society, in order to improve everyone’s mental wellbeing and their website includes practical advice, podcasts and videos.

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

If you're concerned about substance abuse or your drinking or someone else's, a good first step is to visit your GP. They'll be able to discuss the services and treatments available.  As well as the NHS, there are a number of charities and support groups across the UK that provide support and advice for people with an alcohol misuse problem.

Further information can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addiction-getting-help/

Financial wellbeing is how people feel about the control they have over their financial future - and their relationship with money. There are a number of resources that can help you such as advice and budgetary tools. Some of the organisations that can support you include:

• Citizens Advice Bureau https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
• Money Helper https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/en
• National Debtline https://www.nationaldebtline.org/

Gambling

Gambling addiction is when you experience an impulse to gamble. One of the most common results of a gambling addiction or gambling problems is loss of money and debt, but it can also leave you isolated and impact on your relationships and mental health.  Gen2 have partnered with the Beacon Counselling Trust.  Further information on support is available at Beacon Counselling Trust, and GambleAware®: Gambling Help & Gambling Addiction this includes the ability to self refer for advice. 

Relationships and Sexual Health

Cumbria Sexual Health service provides confidential advice and support on a range of sexual health issues. They offer testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They also provide, for free, all types of contraception including emergency contraception. More information can be found at https://www.ncic.nhs.uk/services/sexual-health

LGBT+ advice and support

OutREACH Cumbria (main service provider for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans* support, advise and engagement in Cumbria) -Home | OutREACH Cumbria

LGBThq Cumbria (Social groups, activities, advice and free counselling, based in Carlisle) - LGBThq Cumbria - Support and Social Centre for the LGBT+ Community

Physical Wellbeing

Life is busy at times and it can often be difficult to find time to look after ourselves. A good diet, sleeping well and regular exercise is important for good mental health and helps builds our resilience when things do become difficult. Research has shown that our physical well-being has an impact on anxiety, depression, resilience and cognitive agility.

Further information can be found at:
NHS Advice - https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/
Active Cumbria - https://www.activecumbria.org/activities/ 

There is always hope – Hub of Hope are the UK’s largest mental health support directory. Whether you want to find a service to help you feel better or you want to support someone who is struggling, we can help.

Further information can be found at:
Mental Health Support Network provided by Chasing the Stigma | Hub of hope