Help for mental health during the winter months

Text reads: Are you or someone you know in a mental health crisis? Help is available

People in Greater Manchester suffering from mental health issues this winter are urged to reach out for help and support from the NHS.

Seasonal change can often increase poor mental health and some people may find themselves in a mental health crisis.

A mental health crisis is as severe as a physical health crisis and can mean someone is feeling extremely anxious, suicidal or possibly self-harming. It can also mean sufferers hearing voices, feeling paranoid or feeling that they are at breaking point.

If you know of someone experiencing a mental health crisis or something that is making them feel severely unsafe, distressed, or worried about their mental health they can call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (option 2).

Dr Zainib Khan, consultant psychiatrist at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS, said:

“Having a mental illness - whether it is an issue with mood, anxiety, trauma or psychosis - carries a lot of guilt and stigma. This should not be the case. A mental health issue is akin to a physical health issue. Please seek help and do not suffer in silence.

“We have a culture of ‘getting on with it’ or ‘pushing through’, and that will not only make you feel helpless and isolated but may also make your condition worse. Especially in the darker, colder days, where people are often stuck at home with little social contact. Telling someone that you are struggling is the first and the hardest step. It is also the step that can open doorways for support. Not everyone has someone that they feel comfortable confiding it. That does not mean you are alone and cannot be helped.”

There are several mental health crisis services across Greater Manchester you can turn to, offering valuable alternatives to attending accident and emergency departments, which can become extremely busy over the winter period.

Dr Jayne Taylor, consultant clinical psychologist at Pennine Care NHS, adds:

"The winter months can be challenging for people. We may have reduced social contact and we might not feel like being outdoors as much. However, there are things that we can do to help this.

“It can be helpful to schedule activities that we know make us feel better such as a catch up with a friend. Some gentle exercise and a change of scenery can be beneficial so perhaps suggest meeting for a walk or some time outdoors. Speaking with someone and sharing concerns is really important If you don’t want to speak with friends or family, professional support is also available."

Dr Khan added:

“Regardless of the way you wish to seek help, the important thing to remember is that support is available, and you are absolutely deserving of that support. If you can take that brave first step in reaching out for help, you will realise you are not so alone after all.”

For addictions treatment and recovery services in Manchester, Change Grow Live helps people who need support for their alcohol or drug use. Their alcohol and drugs team operates from three hubs across the city. To make a referral, please visit: Alcohol and drugs - Adult and Young People's Drug and Alcohol Service - Manchester

For Bolton, Salford, Trafford and Bury go to: Substance Misuse Services | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT

There are also Older Adult Community Mental Health Teams (CMHTs)

Post-COVID Syndrome Service (PCSS)

Post-COVID Syndrome Service: Post-COVID Syndrome Service | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT
Specialist Perinatal Community Mental Health Team which supports expectant mothers: Pregnancy and Maternity | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT

Help is also available from

NHS 111

For urgent mental health support call the NHS 111 number and select the mental health option

Other helplines offer confidential support from trained volunteers

Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours or if you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

Crisis Cafés in Bolton, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, and Wigan

These are community spaces known as ‘Crisis Cafés’ or ‘Listening Lounges’ which offer a safe, comfortable, and confidential environment for anyone over the age of 18, who is feeling low, anxious, struggling with negative thoughts, or just wants to talk to someone during evenings or weekends. They offer support and advice from trained mental health workers in a relaxed environment.

Locations, opening times, and contact details for the Crisis Cafés and Listening Lounges in Greater Manchester are:

Bolton Listening Lounge

YMCA Bolton, 125 Deansgate, Bolton BL1 1HA

Open: Monday to Sunday, 3pm to 10pm

Contact: Please call 01204 917 739 ahead of your visit, or email boltonll@gamily-action.org.uk or visit the website.

Harpurhey – No.93 Crisis Café

No.93 Harpurhey Wellbeing Centre, 93 Church Lane, Manchester M9 5BG

Open: Monday to Friday, 8pm to 1am, Saturday and Sunday, 3pm to 1am

Contact: Please phone ahead of dropping in, call 07778012838 or 0161 271 0339, or email GMMHCrisisCafe@gmmh.nhs.uk

Manchester City Centre – Recovery Lounge, in partnership with Turning Point

Open every day from 4pm to 11pm.

Contact: Call 0161 238 5249 anytime.

Salford Listening Lounge

Open: 24-hours a day, every day, and referrals for Salford residents can be made by health care professionals. More details here.

Trafford – Bluesci at Night Crisis Café, in partnership with Bluesci

Old Trafford Resource Centre, 54-56 Seymour Grove, Manchester M16 0LN

Open Monday to Friday, 7pm to 12.30am and Saturday and Sunday 5pm to 12.30pm.Contact: Text or call 07933 882743, or email crisiscafe@bluesci.org.uk

Wigan – Mental Health Support Hub

Respite Café at Atherleigh Park, Atherleigh Way, Leigh WN7 1YN

Open: Monday to Sunday, 3.30pm until 11pm.

Contact: If you are a Wigan service user, please contact your care co-ordinator or call Atherleigh Park reception on 01942 764 400 to check availability.

Other local services – Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Stockport and Tameside

Bury

BIG in Mental Health is an independent charity run by, and for people with experience of mental and emotional distress. They help anyone experiencing a mental health crisis. Their groups are free to attend and don't require a referral.

Oldham

Tameside, Oldham and Glossop (TOG) Mind provide a variety of services to help with mental wellbeing; counselling, guided wellbeing services, Tameside Wellbeing Hub, peer support, low-level drop-in sessions for anxiety management.

Listening Space (provided by Mind) is a walk-in service for any adult in Oldham experiencing mental health difficulties. You can receive help and advice from peer support workers, or just have a calm space to attend to feel safe.

Rochdale

Listening Lounge (provided by Mind) is a walk-in service for any adult in Rochdale experiencing mental health difficulties. You can receive help and advice from peer support workers, or just have a calm space to attend to feel safe.

Stockport

Making Space/Open Door is a service for people aged 18+ in Stockport. They offer you support via telephone, video calling and face to face at their haven in the town centre. There is also an Open Door 24/7 helpline which provides emotional support whenever you need it. Call 0800 138 7276.

Tameside

SAFE Tameside is a service for those looking for urgent face-to-face mental health support. You can get help and advice and meet others with lived experience of mental health in a safe, relaxed and friendly environment.

Self Help

Practical advice for anyone who may be feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope. Here are 10 top tips, from one of our lead clinicians, for managing your mental wellbeing:

Make sure you reflect on achievements or times when you have been proud of yourself. Keeping a record of this is always helpful as it’s good to read these when you are struggling and when you are feeling okay.
Keeping track of negative moods and thoughts can also help you recognise there might be reasons or situations which act as a trigger. By identifying these, you can then get help and support with them.
Spend time doing things you enjoy or are meaningful to you. From enjoying your favourite hobby, learning something new or simply taking time to relax, it’s important to do things that make you happy.
Be present in the moment. By taking the time to be aware of ourselves and be in the present moment, noticing our own thoughts and feelings, and the world around us, we can gain a better perspective.
Spending quality time with friends or family, talking to someone about how you are feeling or finding ways to help other people can all help stop you feeling lonely and improve your mental health and wellbeing. This can be online, by phone or seeing someone in person.
Looking after ourselves physically can have a huge impact on our mental health. Good quality sleep makes a big difference to how we feel, so it is important to have a good nighttime routine. A balanced diet and maintaining any long-term conditions are also vital to our mental health.
Be your own best friend. Imagine what you would say to a friend who was upset or struggling and show that same empathy and kindness to yourself. You are just as worthy of it.
Get out into nature – there is research to show that being outdoors and getting some fresh air can have a positive effect on our emotional wellbeing.
Find time for relaxation. Life can be busy and hectic, so find time each day, if only for five minutes, to switch off that phone, log off that computer and rest your active mind.
Avoiding habits like smoking and cutting down on alcohol and caffeine can have a positive effect on our mood.

Download a range of self-help packs to work through in your pace at home: Self Help Resources | Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT

Help for mental health during the winter months | News and Events

Search the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS FT website