Start here Skip to Health

Huge numbers of patients have struggled with their mental health and wellbeing in recent years. We have developed our mental health pages to help any patient suffering with such issues. Please follow the guidance on this page to start to get the help that you need.

You can self-refer to these services without seeing or speaking to a GP first. Click the image to go to the resource. = Recommended resource

Optimise your health Skip to Counselling

Please look after your physical and mental health as best you can. We realise this is very difficult in this situation but it gives you the best chances at recovery.

Try to eat a healthy diet. Try to go to bed on time. Try and keep your mind active with interests and hobbies. Try not to smoke or drink too much alcohol. Talk to friends and family. Get outdoors for fresh air and sunshine to help clear the head.

You can self-refer to these services without seeing or speaking to a GP first. Click the image to go to the resource. = Recommended resource

Consider counselling Skip to Medication

SHORTCUT ivy.gs/counselling

Please consider self-referring to free NHS counselling. Studies have shown talking therapies (with or without medication) has the best chance of successful recovery.

Counselling looks at your thought processes and helps you to find answers to your condition and gives you to the tools to be able to help yourself, now and in the future.

You can self-refer to these services without seeing or speaking to a GP first. Click the image to go to the resource. = Recommended resource

Medication advice Skip to Helpline

Follow doctor's directions on starting medication. Common side effects include headache, nausea, dizziness, sweating, stomach disturbances, but most people are fine, and symptoms tend to settle within a week.

Please book a review appointment before you run out and never stop tablets suddenly. When stable and considering coming off, contact us and we will advise on how to do it safely..

Mental health helpline Skip to Other

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If you need help and support or need to talk to someone straight away any time of day or night, you can ring the Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service on 0800 028 0077 . This is a freephone service available to everyone living in Derbyshire - both children and adults. It is open 24 hours a day every day.

Support can be provided for your mental health and practical help advised. Face-to-face support may also be offered if appropriate. Find out more by clicking the link, or dial the number.

Other resources Skip to Sleep

It's not all talking therapy. Other help and support is available. Click the relevant image to start to get the help you need

You can self-refer to these services without seeing or speaking to a GP first. Click the image to go to the resource. = Recommended resource

Sleep difficulties Skip to Crisis

Poor sleep or difficulties in getting off to sleep or early wakening or lying there thinking about things can be features of your condition. Lack of sleep affects our performance, decision making, thinking processes and makes us muddled and feel unwell.

Please visit our help and support section for hints and tips on improving your sleep.

What to do in a crisis Skip to End

If life is in danger

You can self-refer to these services without seeing or speaking to a GP first. Click the image to go to the resource. = Recommended resource

At risk of self-harm or in a crisis

You can self-refer to these services without seeing or speaking to a GP first. Click the image to go to the resource. = Recommended resource

Please take your time Back to Start

We realise everything may be very overwhelming and you don't know what to do or where to start. Please do take the time to read through this page and perhaps with a trusted friend or relative, try and slowly work through the different sources of information on our pages. Not all of them will be applicable and you may need to try different things to help.

Do get in touch if you still have difficulties.

How to get back here?

Bookmark this page in your browser by pressing CTRL and D or type the shortcut ivy.gs/mentalhealth or ivy.gs/mh

Who else can I go to?

Please see our index of services you can self-refer to or type the shortcut ivy.gs/selfrefer or ivy.gs/index