If you’re feeling low, anxious, or generally struggling, there are lots of services available to help you, all year round. Please always ask for support if you need it and don’t ever struggle on alone.
The services below are all free. They don’t need a professional referral, so you can contact them directly.
If you or someone you know of any age is having a mental health crisis and needs help right now, call:
24/7 freephone HPFT SPA* Mental Health Helpline: 0800 6444 101
or NHS 111 (option 2)
Hertfordshire’s NHS 24/7 mental health helpline
If yourself or someone else is seriously ill or injured, dial 999 for the emergency services, or go to your nearest A&E
*Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Single Point of Access (HPFT SPA)
Additional National Helpline Numbers and Websites:
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are based on extensive international research and can help all year round, so please spend 20 minutes completing the free online e-learning modules here and take a look at the links below for lots of other tips and resources:
Self-help resources and other useful websites:
There are lots of things that can affect any one of us over the winter, so please click on the words below if you’re looking for more information on any of these topics:
With YOUth Digital Wellbeing Service for ages 5-18s, parents and care givers (Mondays - Fridays 2-10pm)
Available to help children and young people to cope with what’s going on for them. They have a helpline and instant messaging service for young people and/or their parents or care givers.
Their friendly advisors can listen and chat with you online or over the phone, give their advice and offer you more one to one or group support if you need it. Find out more at:
www.withyouth.org or Call: 0208 189 8400
Lumi Nova Tales of Courage - Therapeutic Gaming App (part of With YOUth Service) for ages 7-12
The With YOUth Digital Wellbeing Service and Lumi Nova Therapeutic Gaming App can help with problems such as mild to moderate anxiety, low mood, low self esteem, stress and any other worries. The service is not for children and young people who are in crisis.
The Sandbox: Online Mental Health Digital Advice and Guidance Service for 10-25s (available from 1 April 2023)
Can help young people to understand and learn ways to manage their feelings, so they feel happier and more able to cope with the ups and down of life that we all experience.
This free NHS funded service launches on 1st April 2023 and offers a website, with access to games, worksheets, group chats and online events for children, young people, their parents/carers, teachers and other professionals. The Sandbox provides access to internet enabled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (iCBT), or one to one support from professional therapists by text, phone, online chat or video call, based on a triage of the young person’s needs:
- Website: 24/7
- Therapy sessions: 7am-10pm Mondays-Fridays and 10am – 10pm Saturdays and Sundays
- Live Chat: 10am-8pm Mondays-Fridays
Signing up is easy. Visit The Sandbox website here
Hertfordshire's NHS (HPFT IAPT**) Wellbeing Service for ages 16+
Confidential talking therapies and other practical support to help improve emotional wellbeing.
** Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)
togetherall - Mental Health Support in Hertfordshire for ages 16+
Offering a range of support, courses and advice, togetherall is a safe, online community where people support each other anonymously to improve mental health and wellbeing.
First Steps to Understanding Eating Disorders (First Steps ED) for ages 5-18, parents and care givers
Digital and face to face one-to-one support sessions, as well as weekly psychoeducation and group support programmes (Wellbeing Workshop, Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) Support Group, Binge Eating Workshops etc). Parents, carers and older siblings can also gain access to First Steps ED’s Parent Support Programme. Find out more about the services available here: https://firststepsed.co.uk/make-a-referral/
ChatHealth
Text messaging service for ages 11-19 (9am-5pm Mondays-Fridays)
Text a School Nurse for support and advice at 07480 635050. This is a confidential service where you can ask for help on a range of issues including weight and exercise, healthy eating, stress or anxiety, relationships and sexual health
Text messaging service for parents/carers of 0-5s (9am-5pm Mondays-Fridays)
Text the Health Visiting Text Message Advice Service at: 07480 635164