Mental health
Mental health problems can affect any of us at any time in our lives. For most people who experience mental health issues, your first place to get help should be your doctor, who can often refer you to other professionals.
Working out what to say to your doctor about your mental health can be hard. Doc Ready is a free service which could help you prepare for your first visit.
Where to get help
- Get support and advice if you are feeling anxious, stressed or low on the NHS Mental Wellbeing Hub website.
- Get mental health help now if it's an emergency and you need to speak to someone.
- See who to talk to if you need mental health support for your child or young person.
Speak to someone
Phone 0800 107 0160 or text SHOUT to 85258 for free confidential support at any time.
Free expert advice from trained counsellors is available for every mental health challange, including:
- anxiety
- depression
- low self-esteem
- money worries
- relationship troubles
- stress
- suicidal thoughts
Home, finances and work
Kent.gov
The kent.gov website has useful information and resources about:
- Support if debt is affecting your mental health - Kent County Council
- Homelessness support - Kent County Council
- Help with employment - Kent County Council
- Food or energy in a crisis - Kent County Council
- Domestic abuse - Kent County Council
Time to Change
Time to Change helps workplaces improve attitudes towards mental health. They offer:
- Activities and Training: Resources to educate employees about mental health.
- Events and Tools: Support for organising mental health awareness events.
- Employer Pledge: A commitment to changing how mental health is viewed at work.
Support for all
Better health
Visit Every Mind Matters to get useful tips and guides to help look after you and your family.
Safe Havens
Safe Havens are an out of hours safe place for residents aged 18+ to go when they are in some form of self-defined mental health distress. The Safe Havens offer free mental health support in a welcoming, comfortable, non-judgmental, and non-clinical environment.
There are Safe Havens located in: Canterbury, Dartford, Folkestone, Maidstone, Medway, Ramsgate, Thanet, Tunbridge Wells, Gillingham and Ashford.
Please note: The Havens are not suitable for people needing urgent medical attention (for example, after self-harm). For urgent medical care please attend your nearest A&E or call 999.
To find your nearest safe haven and for more information visit the Mental Health Matters website.
Release the Pressure
Visit release the pressure to talk to a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support.
Live well Kent and Medway
Live Well Kent is a community mental health support service to help you with everyday living, to keep active and healthy, and meet people.
NHS
Children and young people's mental health services
Kent and Medway Integrated Care System
Talking Therapies
Kooth -Mental health support for young people
Kooth is an anonymous and safe chat and support service.
You can chat with other young people as well as professionals. There are also mini activities to boost your wellbeing.
To sign up for free and find out more about Kooth, click here.
Qwell - anonymous mental health chat
Specialist support
LGBTQ+
Help for mental health if you're LGBTQ+ - NHS
Veterans, service leavers and reservists
Mental health support for veterans, service leavers and reservists - NHS
Advocacy
Someone to speak up on your behalf if you have mental health needs in Kent.