Mental health awareness and support

Our libraries offer an extensive range of resources to help raise awareness about mental health whilst also providing access to information that will enable people to lead happier and healthier lives.

Every year as part of mental health awareness week we provide further access to help and support through a programme of activities and events. This is delivered in partnership with local organisations and health agencies.

Reading Well ‘Books on Prescription’ Schemes

The Reading Well ‘Books on Prescription’ Schemes help people manage their health and wellbeing using self-help reading. The scheme is endorsed by health professionals and all titles are available free in Cheshire West and Chester Libraries. Many titles are also available as eBooks.

Reading Well for Mental Health: helps people to read well and to stay well, by providing helpful information and support for managing common mental health conditions; or dealing with difficult feelings and experiences. Some books also include personal stories from people who are living with or caring for someone with mental health needs. The books are penned by bestselling and highly-regarded authors including Matt Haig (How to Stay Alive); Cathy Rentzenbrink (A Manual for Heartache); Sathnam Sanghera (The Boy with the Topknot); Ruby Wax (A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled) and many more.
'Shelf Help': provides a range of titles specially selected for 13-18 year olds, providing advice and information about issues such as anxiety, stress and OCD, and difficult experiences like bullying and exams.

Sources of information and advice

Live Well Cheshire West: local information, support and advice on how to cope during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Better health - every mind matters: designed to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and show the actions they can take to support them. Also provides tools to help young people build resilience and equips them to look after their mental wellbeing.
Brain in Hand: designed by the National Autistic Society, Brain in Hand provides easy access to personalised support via an app on your phone. It’s packed with features to help you remember activities, reduce anxiety and feel supported.
Chapter Mental Health: telephone and video call for people living with a mental health diagnosis who need additional support to manage their wellbeing. Call 01244 344 409
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership mental health hotline: for immediate help you can call 0800 145 6485 for support and advice. The hotline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages.
Mental Health Foundation: a UK charity, whose mission is "to help people to thrive through understanding, protecting, and sustaining their mental health”. If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse, or you're worried about someone you know, they can offer help and support.
Mind: provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Practical advice and tips for everyday living, with links and information to support mental wellbeing. Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
NHS Health and Wellbeing: If you are feeling stressed, anxious or depressed or want to feel happier, the NHS website offers support. They also provide a mood assessment quiz and mental wellbeing audio guides created by NHS professionals.
Platform for life: free mental health and emotional wellbeing support to low income families in Blacon and Lache, offering vital services to people in need.
Rethink Mental Illness: a charity that believes a better life is possible for millions of people affected by mental illness. They run services and support groups that change people's lives and challenge attitudes about mental illness. Call 0300 5000 927
Samaritans: a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you 24/7. Call 116123
Switchboard (LGBT): providing help, understanding and options. No topic is off limits. All volunteers self-define as LGBT+. Call 0300 330 0630
Silver Cloud: for people aged 16 or over who need help with mental health issues and the emotional challenges associated with long-term conditions. This is an online course to help manage stress, anxiety, and depression. The course is eight weeks long and is designed to be completed in your own time and at your own pace.

Support for children and young people

Childline: there to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything, whether it’s something big or small, trained counsellors are there to support you. Call 0800 1111
My Mind (NHS): dedicated NHS website for young people and children. Out of hours support and links to West Cheshire Services.
The Mix: Free information and support for under 25s in the UK, via social media, mobiles and online. Advice given about sex, relationships, drugs, mental health, money and jobs.
Youth Access: is the advice and counselling network, they believe that every young person has a right to access free, high quality confidential advice and counselling.
Young Minds: are the UK's leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. With expert advice for parents via the Young Minds’ Parent Helpline.

Support for older people

Age Friendly Cheshire West – you are not alone: information from all our age-friendly partners as well as fantastic ideas about how to keep in touch, feel less isolated and help others
Age UK: support for older people including depression and anxiety, coping with bereavement and seasonal affective disorder. Call 0800 678 1602 for free advice. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year
Crossroads Together: for people who care (unpaid) for a family member or friend who, due to illness, a disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without support. Crossroads Together supports the wellbeing of these carers by offering help when they need it, either through advice, practical help or a break from caring responsibilities.
The Silverline: The Silver Line provides a 24-hour helpline (365 days a year), offering information, signposting and advice as well as a befriending service to combat loneliness and support mental wellbeing. Call 0800 470 8090
Silver Rainbows: working with Body Positive Cheshire and North Wales, Silver Rainbows provide support and information for the older LGBTQ community. Contact info@silverrainbows.com or health@bpcnw.co.uk or call 01270 653150.

How to look after your mental health during the Coronavirus pandemic

The Mental Health Foundation have put together advice and support to help manage our wellbeing and mental health during this time. This includes:

Mental health tips: how we can manage our mental health and wellbeing
While working: tips for employers and employees to look after their mental health
Look after your mental health and wellbeing when staying at home
Living with the pandemic if you already have mental health problems
Parenting
Loneliness
A guide for young people
Nurturing our relationships
Random acts of kindness
Finance, housing and unemployment worries
Talking to your children about the Coronavirus pandemic
Mental health advice for older people
Staying at home and abusive relationships