Looking after your mental health

Mental health problems can affect anyone at any time. At times when we find ourselves most busy, it's so easy to neglect your own personal wellbeing, leaving you feeling stressed, worried or isolated. 

Need urgent help right now?

If you, or someone you know, are in a mental health crisis and need urgent support, you can now call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

NHS 111 is available 24/7.

If you are deaf or have hearing loss please use NHS 111 – SignVideo or use the 18001 111 Relay UK app.

How to get urgent help - Easy read NHS 111 select mental health option

Blank placeholder image

Mental health crisis text service

People who find themselves in a mental health crisis can now get urgent support by TEXT.

Text 'CALMER' to 85258, for free, confidential, 24/7 text support if you are struggling to cope.

This service is for anyone in the North East and North Cumbria region experiencing anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts, or other mental health challenges.

The service is funded by the ICB, and delivered by the innovative digital service called Shout, which is powered by the charity Mental Health Innovations.

Helping you take good care of yourself

To help you take good care of yourself, our local mental health services offer free self-help guides on a range of topics, from anxiety to sleeping problems and stress.

If you live in Teesside, County Durham, Darlington you can find lots of self-help information on the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust webpage.

If you live in Cumbria, Northumberland or Tyne and Wear, you can find lots of self-help information on the Cumberland, Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust webpage, as well as local phone numbers to call if you need help urgently. 

Talking Therapies

If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS talking therapies services for anxiety and depression.

A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself directly without a referral.

NHS talking therapies services offer:

  • talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), counselling, other therapies, and guided self-help
  • help for common mental health problems, like anxiety and depression

Find out more about talking therapies and the services provided