World Mental Health Day: where to get help in Birmingham

Saturday 10 October is World Mental Health Day, a day to raise awareness of mental health and to encourage people to talk about how they are feeling and seek help when they need it.

The day has been marked every year since 1992, when it was launched by the World Federation for Mental Health. One in four people in England will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year, and many of them will not seek help.

If you need help urgently

• If someone's life is at risk, or they have seriously harmed themselves, call 999 or go to A&E.
• For urgent mental health help that is not an emergency, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. The service is free and open 24 hours a day.
• Samaritans are available at any time, free, on 116 123.
• If you would rather text, the Shout service is available on 85258, at any time.

If you are struggling but it is not urgent

NHS Talking Therapies offers free, evidence-based treatment for common problems such as anxiety, depression and stress. In Birmingham, adults can refer themselves without seeing a GP, through the local service, Birmingham Healthy Minds. Your GP can also help, and can talk through treatment options including counselling and medication.

For children and young people up to the age of 25, Forward Thinking Birmingham provides NHS mental health support, and young people and their families can contact it directly.

Looking after your mental health

The NHS's Every Mind Matters campaign suggests simple steps that can help:

• stay connected with friends, family and neighbours;
• be active: walking in one of Birmingham's parks counts;
• keep a regular sleep routine;
• limit alcohol, which can make anxiety and low mood worse;
• talk about how you feel, rather than keeping it to yourself.

Worried about someone else?

If you are worried about a friend or relative, ask them how they are, and listen without judging. Asking someone directly whether they are thinking about suicide does not put the idea in their head, and can be the first step to getting them help. Encourage them to contact their GP, NHS 111 or Samaritans, and offer to help them do it.

Loneliness and the winter months

Darker evenings and colder weather can make it harder to stay active and connected. A large study published this week found that loneliness and social isolation were linked to several fewer years of life free from depression and anxiety, especially for men. Volunteering, joining a club or a walking group, and visiting community centres and libraries are all ways to meet people.

Specialist services

Specialist NHS mental health services in the city are provided by Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Charities including Mind also offer information and local support, and Birmingham has a range of community groups offering peer support for particular communities and conditions.