Seeking help is often the first step towards getting and staying well, but it can be hard to know how to start or where to turn to. It’s common to feel unsure, and to wonder whether you should try to handle things on your own.
But it’s always ok to ask for help.
You might want to seek help if you’re:
- worrying more than usual
- finding it hard to enjoy your life
- having thoughts and feelings that are difficult to cope with, which have an impact on your day-to-day life
- interested to find more support or treatment.
How to help someone who is feeling suicidal
If you are concerned that someone is feeling suicidal, they have already made an attempt at suicide, or they have told you that they are intending to end their life and they are in immediate danger then you should call 999.
The Staying Safe website has instant online access to help you talk to someone, and the best ways to help them. It is important that the person you are talking to feels listened to, and that someone cares about them.
Access NHS mental health services and where to get urgent help
Non-urgent advice: Call 999 or got to A&E now if:
someone’s life is at risk – for example they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.
Mental health awareness
Cornwall Mind, your local mental health charity
Georgia’s Voice. Supporting young women’s mental health in Cornwall. You can find more information on the Georgia’s Voice website
Penguin Soup – Cornwall Pride Provides safe and inclusive spaces for members of the queer community and allies across Cornwall, increasing access to mental health support and decreasing risks of poor mental health within the community.
About maternal mental health | Maternal Mental Health Alliance Mental health knowledge, before during and after pregnancy.
Talking Therapies provides treatment for mental health difficulties such as low mood, stress and anxiety. You can self-refer to this free and confidential service.
The CHAOS Group provides support dedicated to men’s mental health in Cornwall as part of the People in Mind team. You can refer via the Community Gateway.
Citizen Checkers are on hand to help people with a learning disability who may be worried when going into hospital. Their team all have lived experience and can provide peer support.
Your Community Gateway is a fantastic free service for mental health support (and more). From a chat to practical help to community activities.
Man Down UK – a non-profit Community Interest Company founded in Cornwall, dedicated to supporting men with mental health challenges. Support | Man Down Cornwall | Cornwall
Pegasus – Men’s Wellbeing Centre is a safe and supportive space dedicated to helping men overcome life’s challenges, build resilience, and achieve emotional wellbeing. Pegasus – Men’s Wellbeing Centre | Mental Health Support
A Band of Brothers Cornwall is a group of men who come together to learn how they can best serve the young men in our community. Find them on Facebook
Support and resources
NHS 111 provides mental health support and advice available 24/7 online: Get help for your symptoms – NHS 111 and by calling 111. Call free any time, day or night if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The local team behind the 24/7 open access telephone response line will listen to you and determine how best to help
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly NHS Talking Therapies offers online support and NHS talking therapies. Call 01208 871 905 for people aged 16+ years. The Suicide Liaison Service is also available via this number. This is also an NHS funded service but for adults 18+ who have been bereaved by suicide
Samaritans: emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. Call 116 123, 24 hours a day or email jo@samaritans.org
The Orange Button scheme: people wearing the Orange Button have had Quality Assured suicide prevention training and are ready to listen.
Man Down: supporting men’s mental health in Cornwall. Visit www.mandown-cornwall.co.uk
Georgia’s Voice: supporting young women’s mental health in Cornwall. You can find more information on the Georgia’s Voice website
We Are With You. A service for anyone who is worried about their own drug or alcohol use, or someone else’s. Call 01872 263 001 or visit the Cornwall, Truro – With You website
Childline: free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 where you can talk about anything. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, anytime. Call 0800 1111. You can also email or chat via the Childline website
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably). For men who are down or who need to talk, find information and support. Call 0800 58 58 58, 5pm to midnight every day. You can also webchat on the CALM website
If you are a young person or worried about a child, you can call the Early Help Hub for advice and help. Call 01872 322 277 or email earlyhelphub@cornwall.gov.uk
Call 0300 777 4777 or visit Safer Futures – Domestic Abuse Support, Cornwall if you or someone else is affected by domestic abuse, sexual violence and those demonstrating abusive behaviours
Papyrus Hopeline UK. For people under the age of 35 experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Call 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Support Matters Cornwall. This service operates from 5pm to 9am on weekdays and 24-hours a day at weekends and bank holidays. The service is open to all patients (aged 16 or older) under the care of Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s mental health services. Support can be delivered over the telephone, via text, email or web chat. Call free on 0800 001 4330.
Mind. How to seek help for a mental health problem – Mind
Gambling. Guidance for people worried about gambling
Every Mind Matters. Simple and practical ways to ease anxiety, manage stress, lift your mood and sleep better