Mental health and wellbeing support available to you in Coventry as well as tips and advice.
Immediate support
If you need immediate support:
- For Samaritans call 116 123
- For urgent medical needs call your GP, or NHS 111.
- If you are in a life-threatening situation call 999.
Local support
Urgent support
For Urgent Mental Health Support call Freephone 08081 966798 (Hours of operation: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
For more information visit the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership Trust's ‘Find help now’ information [https://www.covwarkpt.nhs.uk/urgent-advice].
24/7 support
The Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Wellbeing Line
The Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Wellbeing Line is for Coventry and Warwickshire residents.
If you are:
- feeling low, anxious, or stressed,
- having a difficult time coping,
- and need to talk to someone in confidence to find the right service
Coventry and Warwickshire Mental Wellbeing Line provides:
- Connection, advice, information and signposting to other services
- 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year service
- Call 0800 616171 to speak to one of our friendly and compassionate advisors.
Other support
If you want to talk to someone, these services are available in Coventry at certain times:
Coventry Safe Haven
Providing support for people (18+) who are feeling distressed and overwhelmed in the evenings, Monday-Sunday (6pm-11pm): Phone 07921 876 065. Email coventryhaven.mhm@nhs.net [mailto:coventryhaven.mhm@nhs.net]
Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP)
Many organisations now have Employee Assistance Programmes (EAP) that offer mental health and wellbeing support. Find out if your organisation has an EAP that you can access.
IAPT
- IAPT services are available for people experiencing mild to severe anxiety and depression. They can provide advice, information and therapy. Please note this service involves an initial assessment which then determines the support you will be offered. Call 024 7667 1090 to self-refer.
Mind Wellbeing for Coventry
To help you cope during this period, the Coventry and Warwickshire Mind Wellbeing Hubs will be offering telephone support to anyone who feels they need contact. All telephone support will be offered between the usual hours of 1pm-5pm every day and the team can even book you in for a call if needed. Call 024 7622 4417.
Dear Life
Anyone living and working in Coventry and Warwickshire can access help, and support through our local Dear Life [https://www.dearlife.org.uk/] website.
Admiral Nurse Service
The Admiral Nurse service is available to people and families living in Coventry, Rugby and North Warwickshire who are providing care and support for a person with a diagnosis or likely diagnosis of dementia and as a result the carer/s are experiencing complex problems. Phone 0300 303 3131 (Patients and Carers can self-refer) or Email CRCCG.CRGPAadmiralnurses@nhs.net [mailto:CRCCG.CRGPAadmiralnurses@nhs.net]
CRASAC
- Our frontline specialist, independent and confidential services are for people of all ages, genders and faiths who have been impacted by any form of sexual violence, at any time in their lives. This also includes online abuse and exploitation. Call 024 7627 7777
Sahil Project
Offers in-house services and various outreach services, include practical and emotional support to build confidence, reduce social isolation and raise awareness to promote positive mental health and wellbeing, for South Asian Communities who are 18 and over. Phone 024 7663 8754 or Email info@sahilproject.co.uk [mailto:info@sahilproject.co.uk]
The Tamarind Centre
To provide support to the BME community in Coventry and Warwickshire and increase community understanding of mental health issues. Phone 024 7622 7712 or 024 7622 5512
Valley House
Provide a range of counselling and enhanced support services for disadvantaged and isolated individuals. The service covers a range of emotional/psychological and practical issues, including deep-seated complex needs. Phone 024 7626 6280 or Email info@valleyhouse.org.uk [mailto:info@valleyhouse.org.uk]
Shout
Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. We launched publicly in May 2019 and we’ve had more than 1.5 million conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need in-the-moment support. Text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
Recovery and wellbeing academy
The Recovery and wellbeing academy [https://www.recoveryandwellbeing.co.uk/] is led by Coventry and Warwickshire Mind who work alongside Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust. The Academy courses are delivered by a collaboration of many great local organisations that offer an educational approach to mental health and wellbeing. The Academy offers a wide range of courses and workshops that have been specifically designed to empower you to become an expert in your own wellbeing and recovery.
Apps and online resources
Apps
There are several apps that can provide support with your mental health and wellbeing:
- Stay Alive [http://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay- alive-app/] - an app for those at risk of suicide and those worried about someone. It is packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide:
Online resources
- Every Mind Matters [https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-staying-at-home-tips/] - There is advice about how to look after your mental wellbeing while staying at home from Every Mind Matters, including practical information that may be relevant to your situation
- NHS Choices [http://www.nhs.uk/] - Your complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help about mental health and wellbeing
- Bipolar UK – National Support Group [https://www.bipolaruk.org/] open to anyone affected by bipolar, including family, friends and carers. If you don't have a confirmed diagnosis and want to find out about bipolar, and related conditions such as cyclothymia, you are also welcome. Discussion can be wide-ranging, exploring self-management and support.
- Togetherall [https://account.v2.togetherall.com/register]- A safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing. Millions of people in the UK have access via their participating employer, university, college, NHS provider or local council. All armed forces personnel, veterans and their families (16+) also have free access.
Websites
- Young Minds [http://www.youngminds.org.uk]
- Mind [http://www.mind.org.uk]
- Rethink Mental Illness [http://www.rethink.org]
Five ways to wellbeing
Connect
Maintaining healthy relationships with people you trust is important for your mental wellbeing.
Think about how you can stay in touch with friends and family while you are at home – by phone, messaging, video calls or online – whether it’s people you usually see often or reconnecting with old friends or neighbours.
Keep learning
We are all going through this together so even when we’re not face-to-face, continue to keep in contact and look out for each other. Keep learning Create a new daily routine that prioritises looking after yourself. You could try reading more or watching movies, having an exercise routine, trying new relaxation techniques, or finding new knowledge on the internet. Try and rest and view this as a new if unusual experience that might have its benefits.
Give ideas for passing the time when you’re social distancing: share your favourite books, recipe ideas or make playlists for each other. Whatever you enjoy doing in your spare time, share it with each other.
Remember that you can access digital reading material online for free from Coventry Libraries [/ebooks]. If you normally enjoy newspapers and magazines but are not able to visit shops, you can also access newspapers and magazines online for free via Press Reader.
You could also have a look at online courses, such as those available from the Open University [https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses] and Future Learn. [https://www.futurelearn.com/]
Be active
Keeping up with your physical health is also important for your mental health:
- NHS Choices [http://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise] provides ideas with video links
- Change4Life [https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups] - 10-minute shake up games to try out with kids
- Sport England [https://www.sportengland.org/stayinworkout] - Join the Movement #stayinworkout
- Try out online yoga videos [https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene] tailored to help with anxiety and tips on mindfulness.
- If you're home with children, there are yoga videos [https://www.youtube.com/user/CosmicKidsYoga] for them as well.
This is provided as information only. If you have a medical condition, you should continue to follow advice given by your health practitioner / GP.
Give
Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you. Think what activities you can do at home that might benefit others.
Take notice
Take notice of nature. Bringing nature into your everyday life can benefit both your mental and physical wellbeing. It can improve your mood, reduce feelings of stress or anger and make you feel more relaxed. You could try the following:
- Spend time with the windows open to let in fresh air
- Spend time in your garden, if you have one
Take notice of yourself. There are lots of ways that you can relax. Take notice of the present moment and use your creative side.
Other services in Coventry
For anyone in the city who may be a victim of domestic abuse and violence:
- The Safe to Talk helpline [http://www.safetotalk.org.uk] is available Monday to Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am - 1pm. For support call 0800 111 4998.
- Hollie Guard [http://hollieguard.com] - a personal safety app
For support with any issues relating to your health and wellbeing as a migrant or refugee in the city:
- Welcome to Coventry app [https://welcometocoventry.co.uk/]
- Coventry Refugee Centre [https://www.covrefugee.org]
For support groups for new parents:
- Parents in Mind run by the National Childbirth Trust. Contact Sarah on 07885 975261, via email at parentsinmind.wc@nct.org.uk [mailto:parentsinmind.wc@nct.org.uk] and ByYourSide on Facebook [http://www.facebook.com/ByYourSidePerinatal].
Antenatal and perinatal support for BAME women:
- Perinatal Mental Health BAME Peer Support at FWT [http://www.fwt.org.uk/health/perinatal-mental-health-project/]