“How am I doing? Am I looking after my mental health?”
Finding the Right Support in Somerset
Thursday, 10th of October is World Mental Health Day. It is a helpful reminder to pause and check in with ourselves and ask, “How am I doing? Am I looking after my mental health?” Life can throw an awful lot our way, and when we are juggling work, family, and the everyday pressures of living, it is entirely normal to find that our mental health takes a hit. Sometimes, we might feel overwhelmed and unsure where to turn. But support is available, and nobody has to face mental health challenges alone. For adults living in Somerset, Open Mental Health is here to help.
We are a Somerset partnership where the NHS, the local council, and community organisations work as one team. Our goal is simple: to make sure that people in Somerset can get the right mental health support at the right time.
When we experience difficulties with our mental health, the world can sometimes feel like a very daunting place. Just the thought of asking for support might make us feel anxious, and trying to find the right path forward can be exhausting. That is why we made this new animation: to let people across Somerset know that help and support are available.
Mindline Somerset: A Listening Ear Whenever You Need It
Run by our partners at Mind in Somerset, Mindline provides mental health support twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. It is a confidential listening service.
You can call Mindline Somerset locally on 01823 276892 or use the freephone number 0800 138 1692.
Crisis Safe Space
Crisis Safe Space is an out-of-hours service provided by our partners Mind in Somerset and Second Step for anyone who feels like they are really struggling with their mental health.
Instead of going to A&E, making an urgent doctor’s appointment, or suffering in silence, you can arrange a one-to-one session with a member of the Crisis Safe Space team who will be willing to listen and able to help you.
Sessions are held either face-to-face or virtually, depending on the location. Watch this Crisis Safe Space video to see what a Crisis Safe Space appointment is like.
Online Groups & Courses
There is a wealth of local mental health support available through Open Mental Health. As an alliance combining community organisations with the NHS and Somerset Council, Open Mental Health provides a wide range of supportive groups, courses, exercise, and social opportunities for you.
OMH and the NHS – Working Together
Sometimes, when we are struggling with our mental health, the system can feel a bit like a maze. We might worry about being passed from pillar to post or feel like we have to tell our story over and over again to different people. We’re sharing a short video from Dr Sathya Cherukuri, Associate Medical Director for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities from Somerset NHS Foundation Trust who explains how this works from a GP’s perspective.
How to Get Support from Open Mental Health
To find the local support that’s right for you, please get in touch. You can call Mindline Somerset on 0800 138 1692 and simply ask the person on the phone to refer you to Open Mental Health. Or, if you prefer, you can fill out our short contact form to refer yourself. Taking the first step can feel hard, but we are ready to listen whenever you are ready to talk.