Mental health

Information:

Call 999 if someone’s life is at risk or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please see the list of helplines further down the page.

It is important that we all look after our minds as well as our bodies and recognising when you are suffering from poor mental health, and how to seek help, is vital to keeping healthy.

There are many mental health issues, but some of the most common ones are:

Anxiety

NHS: anxiety, fear and panic

Anxiety is a feeling of unease, such as worry or fear, and can be mild or severe. Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life but some people find it hard to control their worries. Their feelings of anxiety are more constant and can often affect their daily lives.

Depression

NHS: depression

Most people go through periods of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days. Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.

Panic attacks

NHS: panic attacks

Panic disorder is an anxiety disorder where you regularly have sudden attacks of panic or fear. Someone with panic disorder has feelings of anxiety, stress and panic regularly and at any time, often for no apparent reason.

How to get help

If you or someone you know is suffering from a mental health issue, there are several steps you can take to get help. Some problems do not require the help of a GP and can be managed using materials available online or from local organisations.

A good place to start is by taking this mood assessment quiz provided by the NHS to help you understand your feelings.

Under 16’s

You can search for local mental health support for young people on the NHS website, or visit the Young Minds website.