World Mental Health Day: where to find support in Birmingham

World Mental Health Day falls on Saturday 10 October, and organisations across Birmingham are encouraging people to talk openly about mental health and to know where to turn if they are struggling.

If you need help now

• Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, available 24 hours a day, for urgent help in a mental health crisis.
• Call Samaritans free on 116 123, any time of day or night.
• Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential text support.
• If someone's life is at immediate risk, call 999 or go to A and E.

Talking therapies

NHS Talking Therapies offers free help for common problems such as anxiety and depression. You can refer yourself without seeing a GP. Your GP can also help and refer you to other services.

Support for young people

Forward Thinking Birmingham provides mental health services for children and young people up to the age of 25 in the city. Many schools, colleges and universities also have counselling and wellbeing services.

Community support

Birmingham has many community organisations that support people's mental health, including groups for particular communities, languages and faiths. Talking to someone who shares your background can sometimes make it easier to open up.

Looking after yourself

The NHS suggests five steps to better mental wellbeing: connect with other people, be physically active, learn new skills, give to others, and pay attention to the present moment.

Supporting someone else

If you are worried about someone, ask how they are, listen without judgement, and encourage them to get support. Asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea in their head, and it can be the start of getting help.

A city-wide conversation

Earlier this month, Birmingham marked World Suicide Prevention Day with events encouraging people to start conversations with those who might be struggling.