Mental health is about how we feel, think and behave. Our mental wellbeing can vary, and people can experience a range of different symptoms and difficulties.
It’s not always easy to know what to do if you’re worried about your mental health. There’s a lot of support available in the city, however, including many options you can access directly. People in Leeds are encouraged to ask for help when they need it.
Feeling anxious, panicky or low?
- Call a number for advice and guidance.
- Explore MindWell to find ways of coping with anxiety, panic, self-harm, sleeping problems and depression.
- Join a class or do a course – access online or face-to-face sessions that deal with a range of feelings, symptoms and helpful techniques.
- Join a support group – Leeds has a wide range of groups that can support your mental wellbeing.
- Looking for support in your home or local area? – find community services that can help.
- Refer yourself to Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service (LMWS) – city-wide service that provides psychological therapies for common mental health problems, such as anxiety and depression. Includes help for coping with Coronavirus and uncertainty.
- Use a digital tool – go to Apps or join a safe online community.
Coping with stress or a difficult life event?
Life stress and challenging life experiences can have a big impact on our mental wellbeing.
- Explore MindWell to find ways of coping with stress and different life experiences.
- Join a LMWS Stress Control Class
- Refer yourself to Linking Leeds – the city-wide social prescribing service that can help you tackle money, work or housing problems, find social activities or improve your general health and fitness.
Find local and national services and support
The MindWell Directory has quick links to a wide range of local and national services that support people’s mental health. Services in the directory can be accessed by self-referral including help for:
- Alcohol and drug use
- Bereavement
- Caring for someone
- Carers
- Childhood abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Eating disorders
- Gambling
- Housing problems
- LGBT+ communities
- Money and benefit problems
- New parents
- Older people
- Parents-to-be
- Relationship problems
- Sexual violence
- Veterans
- Work and employment issues
- Young people
Join a peer support group
Peer support brings together people with similar experiences so that they can support each other. Leeds has groups for carers, parents, women, men, young people and LGBT communities for example.
Find a counselling service
Counselling involves discussing personal experiences and issues with a person who is trained to listen in a safe and confidential place.
Talking to a GP
If these options don’t feel right for you, or you need help in finding the right support, you can talk to a GP. GPs are trained and experienced in supporting people with their mental health.
Some GP practices in Leeds have their own mental health practitioners who consult with patients instead of the GP (the surgery staff will advise you). It’s also the case that some specialised services are only available through a GP referral such as some eating disorders and gender identity services.
Many of these consultations are via telephone or video nowadays, but you can ask for a face-to-face consultation.
Helpful links and information
Advocacy services – who can help me to have my say?
How community mental health is being transformed in Leeds
How to prepare for a doctor’s appointment