In the lead up to World Mental Health Day, Friday 10 October, health professionals are making people aware of the support they can find across Bradford district and Craven.
The Healthy Minds website (www.healthyminds.services) provides information, advice and a directory of more than 300 local wellbeing services.
It also has a ‘Support finder’ search tool to help individuals find help that is best suited to them, whether it is face-to-face, over the phone, support groups, through an app, or practical mental health tips and advice. People will also find support specifically for diverse communities, young people and parents and carers.
A series of short videos has been developed to provide an overview of the Healthy Minds website. Each video is designed with a particular audience in mind:
- Adults identifying as female
- Adults identifying as male
- Young person identifying as female
- Young person identifying as male
For those who cannot get online, Guide-Line, run by mental health charity Bradford District and Craven Mind, is open 8am to midnight every day on Freephone 08001 884 884 to signpost people to local services.
Dr Junaid Azam, GP and Clinical Lead for Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, said: “Throughout the year we do our best to make people aware of the support they can access to help with their mental health. We work with colleagues from the local NHS organisations, voluntary and community sector, and the independent sector to raise awareness of the Healthy Minds website. World Mental Health Day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness of the support people can access.
“The walkthrough videos will help to raise awareness of the support available through the Healthy Minds website, whether this is for yourself or for someone else that you care about. Please share these videos with family, friends, or your work colleagues.
“On the website you will also find wellbeing support for ethnically and culturally diverse communities, delivered by the Hope and Light service. The service provides culturally responsible mental health services for Black African, Black Caribbean, Central and Eastern European – including Roma – and South Asian communities. Although the Hope and Light service focus on specific communities, all services are open and accessible to anyone, regardless of their ethnicity and background.”
Naomi Holdsworth, Operations Service Manager NHS Bradford Talking Therapies said: “People who are experiencing common mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression, NHS Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies will be able to support through talking therapy.
“You will be able to access group courses, as well as other options like phone advice or one-to-one courses (these take place at a range of locations across the district), to suit your needs. The website offers a range of free guides and tools to help people better manage life’s ups and downs.”
To access NHS Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies, visit www.bdctalkingtherapies.nhs.uk or call 01274 221234 (9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday).
Some GP practices now have a primary care mental health practitioner as part of the team. These practitioners have extensive experience in local mental health services and specialist knowledge to ensure people get the right care and support. Speak to a healthcare professional at your GP practice – if you or a family member feel you would benefit from seeing a primary care mental health practitioner.
Mental health support services
Here are more local mental health services across Bradford District and Craven:
- Kooth: a free, safe, and anonymous online community available 24/7, 365 days of the year and provides discussion forums, resources and access to online counselling for children and young people aged 10 to 18. Visit kooth.com
- West Yorkshire Night OWLS: a confidential support line for children, young people, their parents, and carers. This service is available from 8pm to 8am. Call 0800 1488 244, text 07984 392700 or you can live chat at lslcs.org.uk/services/night-owls-helpline
For urgent mental health crisis support, please contact:
- Call First Response on 0800 952 1181: available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages living in Bradford District and Craven. When a First Response telephone assessment indicates the need for a face-to-face assessment, we will aim to see you within four hours. Or you can call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
- Safe Spaces: crisis support service in the community for anyone aged seven and over, open 365 days a year from 12pm to 2.30am. Call First Response on 0800 952 1181 and ask for ‘Safe Spaces’.