Mental Health and Wellbeing

If you are struggling with mental health issues or difficult life situations there are many sources of support within our community and self-help resources to access. Click on the relevant button below for more information.

If you are requiring medical input regarding your mental health then please make a triage appointment with a GP. If you require urgent support with mental health issues call 111 and choose option 2 or contact the duty doctor at the surgery.

24/7 mental health support is now available over the phone in Swansea Bay. The service is available for anyone in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot with a mental health concern, including relatives who need advice. Call 111 Option 2 is running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering a triage service and support or signposting as appropriate.

Mental Wellbeing (Adult)

Mental Wellbeing (Youth & Kids)

Bereavement

Domestic Abuse

Wellbeing through Work

Mental Wellbeing Related to Chronic Conditions

Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Support

Armed Forces Veterans

Mental Wellbeing for Adults

General Self-Help Resources and Support Services:

The NHS Wales website offers general information on how to Live Well: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/LiveWell/Default.aspx

The documents below offer advice for better sleep and how you can help your mood:

What I can do…

Sleep advice

Living life to the full offer free online courses covering low mood, stress and resilience. They aim to “work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more.” https://llttf.com/

Mind is a mental health charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. To find out more see: www.mind.org.uk or email [email protected] or text 86463

Swansea Mind is a local branch of the national charity that can also provide support: www.swanseamind.org.uk

Adferiad provides support to those with ill-mental health and their carers by giving emotional support, advice and signposting. We hold support groups, such as our walking and carer group, one to one support in the community, drop-in sessions and support over the phone. Visit the Adferiad website for referral information and contact details.

Courses and APPs

Education Programme for Patients (EPP)

Swansea Bay University Health Board has a number of structured courses available for self-referral. The courses are aimed at those living with a long term condition, from fibromyalgia to mental health concerns.

https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/wellbeing/about-wellbeing/education-programmes-for-patients/

Online Courses

SilverCloud is an online course to help you manage stress, anxiety and depression. You work through a series of topics selected by a therapist to address specific needs. The eight-week course is designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace. This is currently free for NHS patients in Wales. https://sbuhb.nhs.wales/community-primary-care/mental-health/silvercloud/

https://nhswales.silvercloudhealth.com/signup/

MoodGYM is an interactive web program which helps you learn and practise skills which can help prevent and manage symptoms of anxiety and depression. It teaches the principles of cognitive behaviour therapy which is a proven treatment for depression. There is a small fee for this interactive online program which is aimed at both young people and older adults.

https://moodgym.com.au/

Phone Apps

Some very helpful mindfulness apps are available to reduce stress, improve sleep and activity levels; for example:

Headspace – www.headspace.com | Calm – www.calm.com

[There are free trials available before requiring a paid subscription]

Eating Disorders

If you or someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder or experiencing symptoms the information via the following link may be of benefit:

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Self-Harm

Mind Charity has a host of online information that explains self-harm, including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. It also includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-harm/useful-contacts/

‘Harmless’ is a user-led organisation that supports people who self-harm, and their friends and family. https://harmless.org.uk/

The DistrACT App provides easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/distract/

Bereavement Counselling

www.cruse.org.uk

For support relating to grief and bereavement contact Cruse bereavement care for advice and information to children, young people and adults.

Contact: 0808 808 1677 | Email: [email protected]

Local Cruse Bereavement Support:

Telephone: 01792 462845 | Email: [email protected]

Domestic Abuse Support

We are an IRIS-trained practice. Please contact the surgery if you are in a domestic abuse situation or have a history of abuse. We can refer you directly to a local domestic-abuse worker for an informal chat and support.

If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse please find out how to get further information and support by exploring and contacting the following:

Women’s Aid: www.swanseawomensaid.com | www.womensaid.org.uk

Victim support: www.victimsupport.org.uk

Safe Havens

All Fire Stations in Mid and West Wales are safe havens:

Gorseinon Fire Station, West Street, Gorseinon, Swansea, SA4 4AG
Morriston Fire Station, Sway Road, Morriston, Swansea, SA6 6JA
Pontardulais Fire Station, 5 Tyn-y-Bonau Road, Pontardulais, Swansea, SA4 8RS
Reynoldston Fire Station, St. George’s Terrace, Reynoldston, Swansea, SA3 1AB
Swansea Central Fire Station, The Strand, Swansea, SA1 2AW
Swansea West Fire Station, Sketty Lane, Swansea, SA2 8QF

Wellbeing through Work:

The ‘In Work Support Service’ provides free support for employees and businesses in Swansea. If you are off sick from work or struggling to cope in work due to a mental health or physical issue then find out more via their website: Your Wellbeing at Work – RCS Wales (rcs-wales.co.uk). You can self refer to the service by calling 01745 336442 or by using the electronic referral on our website.

Kids & Young People’s Mental Wellbeing

General Self-Help Resources and Support Services:

Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous site that offers confidential support to people in Swansea Bay aged 11-18. This online counselling and wellbeing service is staffed by fully trained and qualified counsellors who are available until 10pm each night, 365 days per year.

Not only does Kooth offer access to counselling; they feature self-help tools including online journaling, goal setting and mindfulness techniques. There is also a community space on our Kooth magazine and discussion boards where young people can give and receive advice and support from others their age. https://www.kooth.com/

Info-Nation is Swansea’s one-stop shop for young people to access information, advice and specialist information across a range of issues to young people aged 11- 25 years, and their families. This is a partnership between Evolve (the City & County of Swansea’s Young People Services), Barnados Cymru and Barod and is located on the Kingsway in Swansea’s City Centre. Specialist support is available in areas such as sexual health, domestic abuse, safety online, risk-taking behaviour and drugs and alcohol use: https://www.info-nation.org.uk

Swansea Mind also provides specific support for young people (under the age of 21), parents and teachers. Their general aim is to promote mental health and to assist people with mental health problems. http://www.swanseamind.org.uk/

Childline is a free, private and confidential service. When you call Childline you’ll get through to a counsellor and they are there to listen and support you with anything you would like to talk about. www.childline.org.uk

Eating Disorders

If you or someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder or experiencing symptoms the information via the following link may be of benefit: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

Self-Harm

‘Harmless’ is a user-led organisation that supports people who self-harm, and their friends and family. https://harmless.org.uk/

The DistrACT App provides easy, quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts. https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/distract/

Meditation and Mindfulness

Headspace aims to help you achieve health and happiness through meditation now and in the future. They have a dedicated sessions designed for kids: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids

Moshi offers calming guided meditation with a playful Moshi twist, created to help kids relax and learn the basics of mindfulness: https://www.moshisleep.com/

Education Programme for Patients (EPP)

Swansea Bay University Health Board has a number of structured courses available for self-referral: https://tyrfelinsurgery.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/swansea-bay-epp-courses-1.docx

Topics covered include:-

Health and wellbeing for adults with any long-term condition
Cancer Thriving and Surviving Course
Diabetes self-management
Pain self-management course
‘Looking After Me’ – Carers self management course
Managing long term conditions at work

Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Support Services

New Pathways provide support for women, men, children and young people who have experienced trauma or sexual violence, whether recently or in the past. For further information and full contact details please see: http://www.newpathways.org.uk/

Are you an Armed Forces Veteran?

Veterans’ NHS Wales is a specialised, priority service for individuals who have served in the Armed Forces, at any time in their lives and who are experiencing mental health difficulties related specifically to their military service

For more information see: https://www.veteranswales.co.uk/

You can self-refer via the website or by ringing Veterans’ NHS Wales directly on 01792 532967