Talking to someone about your mental health can help
Sometimes just talking to someone about how you feel can help to reduce anxiety levels or lift your mood. It could be a call to a friend or member of your family, or you may prefer to talk to someone you don’t know who can provide a listening ear.
As well as phonelines, there are online communities which can help you feel connected and listened to:
Side by Side
Supportive online community run by Mind, where you can just be yourself. Click here for details.
Samaritans
A friendly ear on the end of a phone 24 hours a day. Click here for details.
Telephone: 116 123 (free)
Age UK Advice
A national service offering information and advice to older people and those caring for older people. Click here for details.
Telephone: 0800 169 65 65 (national line – free)
Age UK Isle of Wight
A local service providing Isle of Wight residents with advice and information about local services. Click here for details.
Telephone: 01983 525282 (local line – see also our Local support page for more details)
Silverline
A free, confidential 24/7 helpline for older people. Click here for details.
Telephone: 0800 4 70 80 90
SANEline
A national out-of-hours telephone helpline offering emotional support and information for people affected by mental health problems. Click here for details.
Telephone: 0845 767 8000
Someone to talk to at your local health centre
You can also get support from social prescribers, health and wellbeing coaches and mental health practitioners who work in your local GP practice.
Social prescribers can help work with you and your family to help you access a range of local community services that provide practical or emotional support and guidance of a non-medical nature. You can download a leaflet about social prescribing.
Health and wellbeing coaches are specially trained non-clinical members of a GP practice team who help people to manage their own physical and mental health conditions. You can download a leaflet about health and wellbeing coaches.
Mental health practitioners can provide guidance, advice, signposting and treatment for patients with mental health symptoms such as low mood, anxiety or depression.
