Mental Health

We all have mental health. Sometimes our mental health is good and other times we may feel like we are struggling. Having good mental health can help us feel better, sleep better and support us in doing the things we want to do. It can also help us have more positive relationships with those around us.

Good mental health is the foundation for well-being and the effective functioning of individuals and communities. It impacts on how we feel, communicate and understand. It enables us to manage our lives successfully and live to our full potential. It can also help us have more positive relationships with those around us.

In Newcastle, we are committed to promoting good mental health, wellbeing, and early intervention. We want to become a healthier city, building resilience, promoting mental health across all ages, and challenging stigma. We aim to do this by working closely with our partners to:

• Target whole population approaches by addressing wider determinants and strengthening communities and social networks. (promoting evidence-based campaigns such as Five ways to wellbeing and Time to Change)
• Life course approaches focusing on children and young people, families, (e.g. Mental Health Support Team Trailblazer) people of working age (improving health through Better Health at Work) and older people (Dementia friendly city)
• Targeted prevention approaches for groups at higher risk such as those with suicidal behaviours (Newcastle Multiagency Suicide Prevention plan) or people with mental health problems in recovery

Below you can find a non-exhaustive list of places you can go for help or information:

• The Samaritans 
  If you need to talk to someone, the Samaritans are there when you need them. You can talk for as long as your like as many times as you like, confidentially and without any fear of judgement. You can contact the Samaritans by:
  Telephone: 116 123.
  Email: jo@samaritans.org.
• Staying Safe
  Staying Safe offers resources for anyone distressed, thinking about suicide or worried about someone they care about. It has been developed by 4 Mental Health, with invaluable input from international academics, mental health practitioners, people who have survived suicidal thoughts and those personally affected by suicide through bereavement.
• Young Minds
  Young Minds is the UK's leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.
• Rethink
  Rethink offers a range of national mental health resources, from advocacy and carer support to crisis services.
• Your GP
  If you experience symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression,  your local GP can also help you.
• Self-help
  A range of 23 mental health self-help guides are available in a range of formats. Topics include stress, anxiety, sleeping problems, depression, anger, panic, obsessions and compulsions.