Helplines, Websites And Resources
In this section, there are a number of links to other websites, resources and other crisis helplines that you may find helpful.
Suicide Prevention
United to prevent Suicide: short film “Talking Saves Lives” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJn1X2r1_aM
Information and advice on NHS Inform where you can access support https://www.nhsinform.scot/campaigns/suicide
Stay Alive App & Resources: StayAlive – Essential suicide prevention for everyday life
Prevent Suicide App (Moray version also available)
Support / Crisis Helplines
In addition to Mikeysline, there are a number of other support/crisis support helplines that you can contact. Some of these are outlined here:
Samaritans – 24 hours/7 days a week – Telephone 116 123 (freephone)
Breathing Space – Mon-Thurs 6pm-2am and Friday-Mon 6pm-6am. Phone 0800 83 85 87 (freephone)
Ewen’s Room – offering support to people in Lochaber: Ardnamurchan, Morvern and Moidart. Phone 0800 639 3317 Mon-Fri 5pm-10pm and 12pm-10pm Saturdays and Sundays
Listening Ear – supporting people in the Caithness area who are in difficult circumstances or a crisis that is adversely affecting mental health. Offering phone or Zoom support. Phone 07529 248 763
Lochaber Hope – provides a service that supports people in Lochaber to cope with a wide range of sensitive and personal issues. Phone 01397 704 836
Eating Disorders Helplines
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk – offering online support groups and resources to support those with eating disorders and those concerned about others with eating disorders.
Help for adults
The Beat Adult Helpline is open to anyone over 18. Parents, teachers or any concerned adults should call the adult helpline.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677
Email: help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Help for young people
The Beat Youthline is open to anyone under 18.
Youthline: 0808 801 0711
Email: fyp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Young People
Childline
Childline is there to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they're going through. You can talk about anything, whether it's something big or small, trained counsellors are there to support you. Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
Phone: 0800 1111
https://www.childline.org.uk/
Heids Together
A wellbeing and youth work resource, includes toolkits and podcasts developed by young people during the 2020 national lockdown to support mental wellbeing.
https://www.youthlinkscotland.org/resources/heids-together-a-wellbeing-youth-work-resource/
Young Minds
https://youngminds.org.uk
A children and young people’s mental health charity offering resources and advice in a number of areas in relation to mental wellbeing, bullying etc and if you are worried about how you are feeling. They also offer a parent’s helpline for parents concerned about their child/young person.
Papyrus – www.papyrus-uk.org
Supporting young people struggling with their mental health and/or thoughts of suicide. Contact Papyrus via their HopeLine 24/7 – 0300 102 2470, text on 88247 or by email pat@papyrus-uk.org - access webchat service via the website.
Who cares Scotland
www.whocaresscotland.org
A support service for care experienced young people. Offering resources and a helpline, which operates from Monday to Friday, 12-4pm.
Tel: 0330 107 7540.
Email: help@whocaresscotland.org.
Highland Council – Supporting the wellbeing of Children and Young People.
https://sites.google.com/highlandschools.net/highland-wellbeing/children-young-people
This website brings together a range of resources and links to support mental health and wellbeing for children, young people and professionals. It also has information and advice to support practitioners with the Whole School Approach to Mental Health.
Highland Substance Awareness Toolkit
Substance Awareness toolkit for young people
Up to date information and advice targeted specifically at young people on the following themes:
- Drugs
- Alcohol
- Tobacco/e-cigarettes
Toolkit for parents, guardians and others who care for children about alcohol, tobacco and other drugs. Developed by the Highland Alcohol and Drug Partnershp (HADP), complimenting the resources already available on their website.
Hearing Voices Networks
The Haven, Dundee
https://hearingvoicesnetwork.co.uk/
TheOther Networks
https://www.hearing-voices.org/
Stress / Anxiety / Depression
Video – I had a black dog, his name was depression
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc
A number of resources on a range of mental health issues on these NHS pages
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/
NHS leaflet – Talking About Depression
http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/19646-TalkingAboutDepression.pdf
NHS leaflet – Talking About Anxiety
http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/19645-TalkingAboutAnxiety.pdf
NHS leaflet – Talking About Phobias
http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/19544-TalkingAboutPhobias.pdf
NHS Inform – Panic Attack self guide
https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health/mental-health-self-help-guides/panic-self-help-guide
University Compare – Understanding and managing anxiety
A guide for university students (in halls): Understanding and embracing anxiety triggers, coping techniques and preparing for life in halls, how to deal with financial pressures, managing academic pressures, the importance of a healthy lifestyle and more.
https://universitycompare.com/guides/students-managing-anxiety/
CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – for low mood, stress and resilience – free online courses through Living Life to the Full website https://llttf.com/
Self Harm
National self-harm network and forum
https://www.nshn.co.uk/index.html
NHS leaflet on Self-Harm
http://www.healthscotland.com/uploads/documents/9295-Self-Harm.pdf
Sleep issues – advice and support and tools to help you sleep
www.thesleepcouncil.org.uk
Support For Those Bereaved By Suicide
Change Mental Health
Change Mental Health's Suicide Bereavement Support Service offers free and confidential one-to-one support for anyone who has lost a loved one to suicide in Highland and Argyll & Bute. It’s open to people who live in the area, and also to people whose loved one died in the area. Support can be delivered over the phone, face to face, or by video call, and is available for as long as it is needed. Call: 0800 471 4768 or emial: suicidebereavementsupport@nhs.scot.
James Support Group
Run a number of groups peer support sessions at different venues. See: www.jamessupportgroup.com
Listening Ear (Caithness) providing bereavement support. Phone 07529 248 763
Survivors of bereavement by suicide
A national charity aimed at meeting the needs and overcoming the isolation experienced by people over 18 who have been bereaved by suicide. https://uksobs.org/
This booklet has been produced by Scottish Association for Mental Health
SAMH. It provides contact details of relevant organisations in Scotland: https://suicidebereavementuk.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Scotland-After_a_suicide.pdf
Samaritans
Providing support groups specifically for people bereaved by suicide https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/support-groups-people-bereaved-suicide/
Tips And Ideas On How To Support Your Mental Wellbeing
Clear your Head: https://clearyourhead.scot/tips
NHS Highland Mental Wellbeing site – a collection of resources and signposts to help people of all ages to look after their own mental wellbeing: https://www.highlandmentalwellbeing.scot.nhs.uk
Information And Advice On Addiction Issues
The Hope app – available for both Android and iPhone.
Source of information for people with drug and/or alcohol problems and their families and friends that helps prevent overdose and encourages engagement. It's free to download on both Android and Apple. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.faffdigital.hoper&hl=en&gl=US
https://apps.apple.com/lk/app/hope-highland-overdose/id1545932913
Talk to Frank gives information and advice on drugs in a non-judgemental manner. Chat support is available.
https://www.talktofrank.com/
Drink Aware website gives advice and information on alcohol and safe drinking limits.
https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
Be Gamble Aware website gives advice and information to those affected by their or a loved one’s gambling addiction.
https://www.begambleaware.org/
NHS Inform website gives information on support available for people affected by drugs.
NHS Inform.- support for people affected by drugs
The Scottish Drugs Services Directory website provides an online search option to locate services in your area.
https://www.scottishdrugservices.com/
Alcoholics Anonymous
Tel: 0800 917 7650
Email: help@aamail.org
Website: Alcoholics Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous
Cocaine Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other, so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from their addiction.
Tel: 01419596363
Website: C.A. Scotland
Worried About Money? Information On Help Available In Highland
Money and Mental Health – a free website with impartial and straightforward information, support and advice for anyone affected by money and mental health issues. https://mentalhealth-uk.org/
Also – advice line and webchat available for advice on how to manage and improve financial wellbeing as bills rise during this time as well as mental health issues via: www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org
Support With The Cost Of Living Issues
Via The Highland Council: https://www.highland.gov.uk/costofliving
Highland Mental Wellbeing Website
This website is a list of services, information and training around the subject of mental health and wellbeing.
It can be confusing to know where to start with online information, so it aims to help by highlighting some of the best websites and sources of help.
It also provides information about training and resources for community/service volunteers or paid staff, in a ‘helping’ or supporting role.
Farming Support - Farmers for Scotland RSABI
https://www.yellowwellies.org/
Nutrition
The importance of nutrition for mental wellbeing
Good nutrition is not only one of the main sources of physical but also of mental health and wellbeing. A study by the Nutrition Society in 2017 showed that “… the more one eats a Western or highly processed diet, the more one is at risk for developing psychiatric symptoms, such as depression and anxiety”(¹).
Eating regularly, sharing meals with other people, drinking enough water or tea to stay hydrated as well as consuming at least 5 portions of fruit and vegetables per day and including high quality protein, fats and carbohydrates will help stabilise your mood and prevent you from mental suffering.
Please have a look at the flyers below to find more information.
If you wish to find more information on nutritional consultants nearest to you, please check the following website:
https://www.nutritionist-resource.org.uk/county/highland
(¹) Owen, L. and Corfe, B. orcid.org/0000-0003-0449-2228 (2017) The role of diet and nutrition on mental health and wellbeing. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 76 (4). pp. 425
