There are many events and situations in your life that could cause stress and lead to mental health difficulties. It's important to understand that whatever the cause, you're not alone, and there is help and support available to you.
You'll find lots of useful services on this page that will help you through difficult times.
Help could be at the end of the phone or at the click of a mouse. Find the right support for you in the drop down boxes below.
It can be difficult to talk about mental health and especially hard to talk to people or ask for help. Doc Ready has put together some tools that will help you prepare for the first time you speak to some about your mental health.
Whether you are feeling low, grieving the loss of a loved one, going through family and relationship issues and/or feeling anxious, help is there for you through Qwell, seven-days-a-week, 365-days-a-year
Support includes one-to-one text-based chat sessions (available from 12noon to 10pm on weekdays, and from 6pm to 10pm at the weekend).
If you live in Kent and are aged between 18 and 25, you can access Qwell.
If you live in Medway and are aged 18 or over you can access Qwell Medway. The Medway offer is for parents (perinatal), adults and care leavers.
Kooth offers free and confidential advice if you are aged 10-25-years-old.
You can chat with a team member about anything that is on your mind. The Kooth community is there to support you through anything: Big or small.
Live Well Kent and Medway offers support with keeping active and healthy and everyday living including managing your money, debt and benefits, housing support and guidance, and accessing counselling. Visit the website or phone 0800 567 7699.
If you are struggling with anxiety and/or depression, NHS talking therapies is a free, effective and confidential way to treat common mental health issues.
The service is available to anyone over 17-and-a-half-years-old.
You can find out about, and refer yourself to talking therapy services in Kent and Medway onNHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies website, or via nhs.uk/talk. You can ask your GP for a referral or self-refer by phoning 03330 910414 or text 'KMTALK' to 88802.
The Medway CSMHOT offers mental health support to people who:
The team can help if you have a range of mental health issues such as dual diagnosis and physical conditions which impact on your daily life.
The Primary Care Student Mental Health Service, run by University Medical Centre, supports undergraduate and postgraduate students aged 18 and over in Kent and Medway who are struggling with their mental health.
Student Minds empowers students and members of the university community to develop the knowledge, confidence and skills to look after their own mental health and support others.
Nightline is a listening, emotional support and information service, run by students for students. Nightlines are open at night, run by trained, caring, fellow student volunteers. Nightline can be contacted by phone, face-to-face, by email or by online chat.
Email: listening.response@canterbury.nightline.ac.uk
Phone: 01227 824848 (8pm to 8am, Friday and Saturday)
YoungMinds is leading the movement to make sure every young person gets the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
CHUMS offer specialist bereavement support to children and young people in Kent and Medway until their 26th birthday, when the most recent bereavement has occurred no less than 6 months ago, and when their main presenting need is related to their most recent bereavement.
This specialist bereavement service is provided by a wide range of experienced, trained professionals and volunteers. Support can be tailored to provide evidence-based interventions to children and young people through one-to-one, group and drop-in sessions.
We Are With You offers free, confidential support for anyone aged 11 to 25 who is worried about their drug and/or alcohol use in Kent.You can also get support with drug and alcohol problems in Medway.
Help and support is out there for those who have an eating disorder to enable them to take back control of their life.
You can find out more or self-refer by phoning 0300 300 1980 or by emailing KentandMedwayEatingDisordersService@nelft.nhs.uk. Alternatively, you can ask your GP to refer you.
Visit: NELFT eating disorders service
The Mind and Body programme helps young people to better manage thoughts and behaviours associated with self-harm. In Kent, support is available for 13 to 25-year-olds while in Medway support is available for 18 to 25-year-olds.
You can phone 01795 500882 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, to get advice about how to manage difficult thoughts and feelings.
The BeYou Project provides safe space meet-ups and advice for LGBTQ+ young people, aged eight to 25, in Kent and Medway.
Instagram: @beyoukent
Email: beyou@porchlight.org.uk
METRO charity supports schools in Medway to develop and expand PRIDE clubs for LGBTQ+ students. If you are interested in finding out more about this then contact: youth@metrocharity.org.uk
Better Health Every Mind Matters has launched a campaign to support the nation's mental wellbeing. At the heart of the campaign is the free, NHS-approved Mind Plan.
By answering five questions online, adults will get a personalised mental health action plan with practical tips for helping deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better, and feel more in control.
Search the Every Mind Matters website to see what works for you.
Safe Havens offer face-to-face mental health support for those aged 18 and over and offer an open door policy for anyone needing help.
They can be found in Canterbury, Dartford, Folkestone, Gillingham, Maidstone, Medway, Ramsgate, Thanet and Tunbridge Wells.
To find out more and see the opening times, visit Safe Havens on this information hub.
Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health concern. Visit the Release the Pressure website for more information.