Find mental health support
Local support
NHS 111
Anyone needing urgent mental health support can now call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 access to urgent support.
Children and Young People's Crisis Response Team
The Mersey Care 24 hour response team is for young people up to the age of 18 experiencing emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties which are causing difficulties in their school, family or social life.
The service is for children and young people who are registered with a GP in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington, up to their 18th birthday presenting in crisis needing an emergency response.
Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
Talking Therapies
Talking Therapies offers free NHS therapy for people registered with a St Helens GP with common mental health problems such as anxiety, stress or depression. Visit the Mersey Care website for more information.
St Helens Wellbeing Service
St Helens Wellbeing Service provide a number of initiatives to support wellbeing:
- Training: mental health training available face to face and online for organisations, businesses and voluntary/community groups.
- Men's Wellbeing Project: FREE activities for men to help boost wellbeing.
- Happy to Chat benches: located at various sites across St Helens, the Happy to Chat benches provide a place for people to stop and chat with others.
OK TO ASK
The OK TO ASK campaign is a local initiative which encourages everyone in St Helens to NOT be afraid to talk about suicide prevention - in order to help save the lives of those who might be.
By spotting and recognising the signals, breaking down stigma and silence and learning what to do when you think someone you know wants to end their own life, we can all help prevent suicide.
Visit the OK TO ASK campaign website for more information.
Crisis Cafe 110
Crisis Cafe 110 at Hope House in St Helens is a space to find support, improve your wellbeing and be signposted to services. Open Monday-Friday 4pm-12 Midnight and Saturday and Sunday 9am-12 Midnight.
- Location: Hope House, 110 Crab Street, St Helens, WA10 2DJ
- Phone: 01744 20032
- Email: info@hopecentre.org.uk
- Website: hopecentre.org.uk
Parents in Mind
If you are feeling low, anxious, disinterested in your usual activities and are pregnant or within two years of giving birth, then the Parents in Mind's friendly, welcoming support may be for you. They provide support groups where you can meet others going through similar experiences, seek information, talk things through, or simply relax. Visit the Parents in Mind website for more information.
Dad Matters
Dad Matters St Helens exists to support dads to have the best possible relationship with their children. They work closely with other professionals within St Helens and nationally to better support dads in the first 1001 days of their parenting journey. They offer outreach services/drop-ins at Whiston Hospital, Lowe House Resource Centre and Family Hubs, provide one-to-one peer support, group sessions, new dad workshops and support with accessing services and information to help make sense of being a dad. Visit the Dad Matters website for more information.
ChatHealth
ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging service for young people aged 11-19 in St Helens. Led by the School Nursing Service (part of the 0-19+ Service in St Helens), young people aged 11-19 can access confidential advice and support from school nurses via text on a range of health and wellbeing issues.
ChatHealth is available between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday (including school holidays and excluding bank holidays) and is accessed by texting 07312263250. Visit the 0-19+ Service website for more information.
Thrive
In St Helens we have a wide range of services available to support children and young people's emotional and mental wellbeing. Support is available within the community as well as in local education settings. Most of the services are available for children and young people aged 0-18 years old, but some offer support for children and young people with SEND up to age 25.
Visit the Thrive website to find the service that can best support you and your needs. If you have any queries about any of the services listed, please contact the service directly who will be happy to help.
HIMvisible
HIMvisible is a St Helens-based mental health awareness group, making the invisible struggles of men in this world visible. Visit the HIMvisible website for more information.
Andy's Man Club
Andy's Man Club run talking groups for men who have either been through a storm, are currently going through a storm, have a storm brewing in life or just want to meet a good group of people with the aim of improving one another. No referral, no registration and no charge. Visit the Andy's Man Club website for more information.
James' Place
James' Place provides free, life-saving therapy to suicidal men through a quick, safe and effective intervention that is available at the point of crisis in centres in Liverpool, London and Newcastle. They support men, including individuals who identify as male, aged 18+. You can refer yourself or a man you know, and also accept referrals from GPs, mental health practitioners, and other voluntary organisations across the North East, North West and Greater London. Visit the James' Place website for more information.
Standing Tall Foundation
The Standing Tall Foundation is a charity based in St Helens, founded in 2020 by Andy Reid MBE and John F Tabern MSc. They promote the mental health and physical wellbeing of all community groups, by providing free professional support and services. Visit the Standing Tall Foundation website for more information.
Creative Alternatives
Creative Alternatives is the award-winning arts and wellbeing service supporting adults with mild to moderate anxiety, depression and/or stress. They offer a FREE programme of creative experiences that connect people together in a welcoming, relaxing and caring way. Visit the Creative Alternatives website for more information.
Reading Well
The Reading Well scheme helps people manage their own health and wellbeing through recommended self-help books. Visit the Reading Well page for more information.
Kind to Your Mind
The Kind to Your Mind website has been developed to support people living and working in Cheshire and Merseyside with their mental health and wellbeing. Through the website, you can access a range of mental health and wellbeing services and resources including tips, advice, apps and online courses. Visit the Kind to Your Mind website for more information.
Sole Survivor PTSD support
Get trauma informed support from Sole Survivor. Free weekly peer support meetings are on offer for all. Visit the Sole Survivor website for more information.
National support
Samaritans
Samaritans provide a free-to-call service which is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year if you want to talk to someone in confidence. Call Samaritans on 116 123
StayAlive app
The StayAlive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in a crisis.
Download from:
HOPELINEUK
HOPELINEUK is for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide or for anyone who is concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Call HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141
Kooth
Kooth is an online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform for children and young people aged 11-25 years, accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop. The service is anonymous and free at the point of use. Visit the Kooth website for more information.
Qwell
Qwell is an online emotional wellbeing and mental health support service for adults. It is a confidential service where adults can anonymously access therapy and self-help content, with links to other appropriate services. Visit the Qwell website for more information.
Mind
National mental health charity Mind have a support line which is a safe space for you to talk about your mental health. Their advisors are trained to listen to you and help you find specialist support if you need it. Available Monday to Friday 9am-6pm (except bank holidays). Call Mind's support line on 0300 102 1234
Hub of Hope
The Hub of Hope is a UK mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place. Visit the Hub of Hope website for more information.
R;pple
R;pple is an innovative online interceptive tool designed to ensure more help and support is provided to individuals conducting searches related to self-harm or suicide. The focus is on proactive intervention, bridging the gap between individuals in crisis and the help they require. By installing R;pple on your device, or supporting the R;pple mission, you become a part of a movement dedicated to saving lives and promoting a brighter, better-informed conversation around mental health. For more information, visit the R;pple website
Every Mind Matters
Feeling stressed, anxious, low or struggling to sleep? Every Mind Matters can help with expert advice, practical tips and personalised actions to help stay on top of your mental wellbeing.
Every Mind Matters also provides a free mind plan; by answering a few questions you can get your own personalised mental health action plan with tips and advice to help you be kind to your mind.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) are taking a stand against suicide by provoking conversation, running life-saving services, and bringing people together so they reject living miserably, get help when they need it and don't die by suicide. Visit the CALM website for more information.
Mentell
Struggling with your mental health and wellbeing? Visit the Mentell website for mental health support. Mentell is a UK charity that provides men's groups for males aged 18+ to talk in a safe and confidential space, free from advice and judgement.
Young Minds - Suicidal feelings, a guide for young people
Are you a young person aged under 25 and feeling suicidal? Visit the Young Minds website to find out what causes suicidal feelings, warning signs and what to do about feeling suicidal. You can also access real stories from those struggling with suicidal thoughts.
YPAS - Young Person's Advisory Service
Are you a young person aged under 25 and struggling with your mental health? Visit the YPAS website to find out how the Young Person's Advisory Service can support you and your family with a wide range of wellbeing and therapeutic services.
Mind - For Young People
If you are a young person aged 11-18, visit the Mind website for wellbeing tips, information and mental health support. The website includes information on how to get help and also look after yourself.
Farming Community Network
To talk to a sympathetic person who understands farming and rural life, call the Farming Community Network (FCN) helpline on 03000 111 999, open 7am-11pm every day of the year. The FCN can help with health issues such as stress, depression, isolation and more. For more information, please visit the Farming Community Network website
Support for veterans, service leavers and reservists
NoDuff
NoDuff provide mental health support for serving and former service personnel. Visit the NoDuff website for more information.
NHS - Op COURAGE
Op COURAGE is an NHS mental health specialist service designed to help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.
You can contact the service in many ways, including:
- directly getting in touch yourself, or through a family member or friend - for the North of England call 0300 373 3332 or email OpCourageNORTH@cntw.nhs.uk
- asking a GP or other healthcare representative to refer you
- asking a charity to refer you
The NHS website also provides information about other mental health support for veterans, service leavers, reservists, families and carers.
Samaritans Veterans
Samaritans Veterans is a free app that can provide you with emotional support after your career in the Armed Forces. Visit the Samaritans website for more information.
At Your Side suicide bereavement guides
At Your Side suicide bereavement guides, supporting anyone bereaved by suicide in the Armed Forces community. Visit the Suicide Bereavement website for more information.
Self-harm support
Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Partnership
This website provides a range of guidance and resources for professionals working to support children, young people and families with self-harm and suicide prevention. These include child friendly safety plans, coping strategies and apps to support wellbeing. Visit the Cheshire and Merseyside Suicide Prevention Partnership website for more information.
Calm Harm App
Calm Harm is a free app that helps you manage or resist the urge to self-harm. Visit the Calm Harm website for more information.
NHS
The NHS website has information about where to get help for self-harm.
Young Minds - Coping with self-harm
Are you a young person aged under 25 and self-harming or thinking about self-harming? Visit the Young Minds website to find out what self-harming is and how to stop self-harming. You can also read about managing scars from self-harm and how to get help.
Children and young people safety planning resources
Follow the link to the Liverpool CAMHS safety planning resources website. On this page, you'll find a range of useful films, practical tools and resources that can help a young person understand their thoughts of suicide and keep them safe.
How I overcame self-harm
A short video published on the BBC website, explores how three young people describe the coping mechanisms that helped them recover from self-harm.
Guide for agencies and practitioners
A guide has been developed for agencies and practitioners to support children and young people who have thoughts of, are about to or have self-harmed:
Support with mental health during the cost of living crisis
Mind Money and Mental Health
Mind provide practical tips on managing your money and improving your mental health. Visit the Mind website for more information.
Mental Health and Money Advice
A website created by Mental Health UK, to help you understand, manage and improve your mental health and money issues.
Help for Households
The government is offering help for households. See what cost of living support you could be eligible for.
Support after suicide
Those bereaved by suicide often feel isolated at a time when they are hurting, suffering mental anguish and are vulnerable themselves to thoughts of suicide. Even those fortunate enough to have strong support networks can still feel alone, unable to share their true feelings for fear of their impact on others, particularly when they are also in a caring role for others who are bereaved.
SoBS
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SoBS) exist to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide. SoBS is a self-help organisation which provides a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other. Call: 0300 111 5065, 9am-7pm, Monday to Friday.
AMPARO
AMPARO means 'shelter' or 'safe haven' in Spanish. AMPARO provide support for anyone affected by suicide, whether a recent or a historical death. Support can be provided one-to-one, to family groups, groups of colleagues or peers - whatever is preferred by you and is most appropriate to your situation. Call: 0330 088 9255, 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday.
First Hand
First Hand is for anyone affected by witnessing a suicide, when they did not know the person who has died. This may be because you happened to be at a particular location, or because your job involves responding to these incidents. Visit the First Hand website for more information.
Alfie's Squad
Bereaved by suicide and looking for support? Alfie's Squad is committed to helping children bereaved by suicide rebuild their lives with a positive, supportive community of understanding friends. Visit Alfie's Squad website here for more information.
Suicide is preventable
Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2027
We all want St Helens Borough to be a place where all suicides are prevented, where everyone knows how to have a conversation with someone they think is struggling, and that anyone who needs help can get the support they need. Our Suicide Prevention Strategy 2023-2027 (PDF, 16 MB) and its action plan build upon the good partnership work that we have developed both in this borough and across the whole of Cheshire and Merseyside.
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