Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD is a neurological disorder that can begin during childhood and persist throughout adolescence and into adulthood.

What is it?

ADHD is a pattern of behaviour which is usually manifest in childhood, symptoms can include:

• unusually over-active
• distracted all the time, cannot stick to doing something for any length of time
• impulsive, and does things on the spur of the moment without thinking
• has great difficult in concentrating.

Many of us have at least some of these behaviours but do not have ADHD. To have the diagnosis of ADHD, these problems must be severe enough to interfere with how you get on with other people or with how you perform at work or school.

The first steps to have an assessment for ADHD would be to attend your GP who will refer you onto relevant services for an assessment.

Information on ADHD:

Adults:

• NHS Choices: Introduction to ADHD: www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Introduction
• NHS Choices: ADHD in Adults and Children: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Diagnosis
• Mental Health Foundation: ADHD Information: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/learning-disabilities/a-to-z/a/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
• UK Adult ADHD Network: www.ukaan.org

Children and Young People:

• NHS Choices: ADHD Symptoms in children and young people: www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder/Pages/Symptoms
• Mental Health Foundation: Children and Young Persons ADHD: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/a/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
• Hyperactive Children’s Support Group: www.hacsg.org.uk
• Royal College of Psychiatrists guides for parents of children and young people: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/healthadvice/parentsandyouthinfo/parentscarers/adhdhyperkineticdisorder

Kent Family Parenting Service run sessions for parents who need confidence supporting a child with ADHD for more about this go to: www.cxk.org/adults/parenting-and-family/kent-parenting-service

AADD-UK also run an online forum for those affected by ADHD: aadduk.proboards.com/

Age UK aims to improve later life for everyone with information and advice, services, campaigns, products, training and research. They also provide information and advice for the elderly about benefits, care, age discrimination and computer courses.

Chatham: 92-94 Hopewell Drive, Chatham, ME5 7PY. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01634 40605.

Gillingham: The MacKenny Centre, Woodlands Road, Gillingham, ME7 2BX. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01634 380195.

Rochester: Chris Ellis Day Centre, 130 Brompton Lane, Rochester, ME2 3BA. To see this AGE UK location on a google map click here. Telephone: 01634 724745.

For the national Age UK website click here.

• Comprehensive care for the elderly
• Finance, health, housing, community access, isolation etc.
• Social activities
• IT classes
• Benefits, money

www.ageuk.org.uk

Alcoholics Anonymous is for people who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

• Support for Alcohol addiction and misuse
• Group and peer support

Local groups meet all over the region:

You can find your local support group meeting by clicking here.

For more information about local services call: 0845 769 7555 or email [email protected]

www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

A culturally sensitive listening and information service for the Asian community in Kent, The service is for anyone affected by mental health issues - whether they are service users, carers or friends.

Callers may speak to us in Asian languages (Gujarati, Punjabi, Hindu, and Urdu) or English. Open Monday and Wednesday 4pm - 7pm, Tuesday - Thursday 12 noon - 3pm.

Telephone: 0808 800 2073 or email: [email protected]

Getting stressed by work, family or friends? Dealing with big issues? Share what’s troubling you anonymously on the Big White Wall.

The Big White Wall is a web based Support Network which is moderated and enables safe anonymous support through talking therapies and creative self-expression.

Guided Support: A range of self-managed and facilitated programmes for individuals and groups. Programmes include anxiety, depression, sleep, smoking and alcohol use.

Free for armed and ex armed services and their families.

Click here to go to their website go to: www.bigwhitewall.com or email : [email protected]

Bipolar UK is a national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with bipolar, their families and carers. Bipolar UK offer practical information, advice and support by phone and email, as well as through information on their website.

Services include:

• Telephone & email support and information
• Factsheets
• Online e Community
• National network of peer support groups
• Telephone mentoring
• Youth service for people under 26
• Employment support

You can find out more at their website www.bipolaruk.org or call them on 0333 323 3880.

You can find your nearest support group through this link: www.bipolaruk.org/find-a-support-group.

Reading Well Books on Prescription provides self-help reading for adults based on a range of common mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, phobias and some eating disorders.

Books can be recommended by GPs or other health professionals. They are available from the public library where they can be borrowed free of charge. The books have been recommended by experts. They have been tried and tested and found to be useful by others.

Tbe Books Can Help scheme covers a range of topics such as:

• Anger Management
• Bereavement
• Confidence Building
• Eating Issues
• Managing Anxiety Compulsive Habits Trauma
• Mood Management Depression

In Kent a GP or other professional can ‘refer’ you onto the scheme, you can then take your referral form to one of the 39 participating libraries. Further details of the Kent Books Can Help scheme can be found by visiting your local library for more information click here.

Medway are also running a similar scheme find more about the scheme in Medway by visiting a library for more click here.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is an online resource for men aged 15 - 35. Their website is a comfortable space where they can read stories of other men going through similar experiences and then find out where to get help. They offer information and advice covering a huge range of issues that may help you, from eating disorders and sexuality to work issues and bereavement, and all things in between.

CALM offer a confidential and anonymous phone line and texting service, open 5pm – midnight, 7 days a week for men aged 15 - 35 who are feeling depressed or down Tel: 0800 585858

Their website also has lots of information and advice, to go to their website click here or follow the link: http://www.thecalmzone.net/

Translation facilities are available on request, to use the Text Relay, dial 18001 + 0800 585858.

CAMHS is the out-patient service for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), they offer specialist mental health services to children and young people (up to age 17) and their families.

Growing up can be stressful at times. Feeling sad, lonely, worried, angry, frightened or feeling that nobody understands you are common feelings. CAMHS helps children and young people when they find it hard to cope with their feelings or thoughts, or find it hard to manage their behaviour.

CAMHS provide specialist care and support to young people under the age of 18 suffering from emotional, behavioural or mental health problems. They can help with:

• Mood disorders
• Anxiety
• Attachment disorders
• Neurodevelopmental disorders
• Psychosis
• Eating disorders
• Conduct disorders

In Kent CAMHS is delivered by Sussex NHS to find out information about their CAMHS Service click here.

www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/kent

Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway offer advice information and guidance to Carers of adults and children who, through ill health, frailty, disability, mental health issues or substance misuse are unable to manage without support. Some carers will live with the person they care for, others may not.

In West Kent, they support Adult Carers of adults and additionally we have a Young Adult Carer worker who supports Young Carers through the transition to adulthood from the age of 16 to 24. We provide limited support to parents of children with disabilities.

In Medway we support Carers, both Young Carers and adult from the age of 5 to 105.

Carers FIRST supports carers living in Medway, Tonbridge & Malling, Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Edenbridge Dartford Gravesham and Swanley and the surrounding rural areas. They support carers who have a family member or friend who need help. They provide emotional and practical support, advice, information, guidance and offer access to statutory carers assessments, training, events, social groups, short breaks, activities, trips and more.

For their website follow the link: www.carersfirst.org.uk
Email : [email protected]
Telephone: 0300 303 1555

Address: Carers FIRST in Kent & Medway, 3 Canterbury Street, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 5TP

Catch 22 supports care leavers with the transition from the care system to adulthood and independent living, including accessing suitable and secure accommodation. Kent 16+ operates a supported lodging scheme for young people whereby they can live within a family-type environment whilst acquiring the independent living skills and emotional resilience necessary to enable them to live independently. The carers within this scheme are approved and receive comprehensive training and on-going support and supervision from the dedicated supported accommodation officers within the service.

Catch 22 services is committed to ensuring young people have the best possible chance to succeed in life, with support including:

• a dedicated worker to help each young person achieve the things that are important them
• a plan to keep track of the important things (a Pathway Plan)
• assistance in accessing and sustaining college and university
• help with gaining employability skills
• help with finances
• volunteering opportunities
• help in having their opinions heard
• referring to other specialist teams or workers
• accessing their care files.

Catch 22 services are all over and Kent and Medway to search for your local service click here.

To go to their website follow the link: www.catch-22.org.uk

Childline offers a free confidential helpline and website for young people.

If you are worried about anything, it could be something big or something small - don’t bottle it up. It can really help if you talk to someone. If there is something on your mind, ChildLine is here for you.

Contact ChildLine anytime - calls are free and confidential 0800 1111

A ChildLine Counsellor is someone who:

• who you can trust
• who is genuine, open and friendly
• who won’t judge you or put you down
• who is not easily shocked
• who will listen to you and knows it takes courage to contact us
• who is aware of the sorts of problems you might be worried about
• who will let you take your time
• who wants you to get in touch

To find out more go to their website: www.childline.org.uk

Combat Stress is helping more than 5,400 UK Veterans get their lives back. If you are suffering mental ill-health caused by military service, combat stress may be able to help you too. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, or where you Served - Combat Stress may be able to help. And although they are called Combat Stress, you don’t have to have been in combat to use our services. As long as you are an ex-Service man or women, they are here for you.
And if you are the loved one or carer of an ex-Service man or woman, you can get in touch too.

People react to traumatic experiences in different ways, go to the Live It Well Post Traumatic Stress Information Page for more information.

Telephone: 01372 587000. 24 Hour Helpline 0800 1381619 you can also text 07537 404 719 (standard charges apply for texts) or email them at: [email protected]

For their website follow the link: www.combatstress.org.uk

The Depression Alliance provides help, information and support for those suffering from depression and their families and carers.

The Depression Alliance can help with:

• What is depression - Understand what it can feel like and how to spot the symptoms
• Living with depression - Discover how depression can affect our day-to-day lives
• Recovery and wellbeing - Learn the activities, techniques and resources for getting better and staying well
• Treatment - Explore and choose a treatment that’s right for you
• Useful contacts - Search other organisations and helplines for mental health support
• Family and friends - Find tips on supporting a friend or family member living with depression
• Self help groups - Find a friendly and supportive group in your local area
• Resources - Watch videos and download our Single Step magazine
• Wellbeing Networks - A supportive community of friends who understand depression can be life-saving

To go to their website follow the link: www.depressionalliance.org

Call 0845 123 23 20 for an information pack or email: [email protected]

Domestic abuse is an unacceptable crime which affects people from all social and economic backgrounds, regardless of age, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. It includes any action involving abuse between adult family members (including current and former partners). The abuse occurs when a person causes, attempts to cause, or threatens to cause emotional, sexual or physical harm to an intimate partner or other family member.

Initial response to serious incidents dial 999

• Kent Police DVU enquiries and non-urgent crime reports dial 101 or visit your local police station to speak with an officer in confidence
• Medway Police DVU enquiries and non-urgent crime reports: 01634 792308 or email [email protected] or visit your local police station to speak with an officer in confidence
• Hearing impaired text ‘Police’ and message to 60066
• freephone 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge on 0808 2000 247 or the Mens’ Advice Line on 0808 801 0327
• Kent and Medway Domestic Violence website for information and advice click here.
• National Centre for DV (NCDV) 0844 8044 999 for legal help and civil injunctions
• Mankind (for male victims of DV) 01823 334 244
• Karma Nirvana (for honour based violence and forced marriage) 0800 5999 247
• Forced Marriage Unit 0207 008 0151

www.domesticabuseservices.org.uk

The Downs Syndrome Association provide information and guidance on all aspects of living successfully with Down’s syndrome. They also have a helpline and can help those affected by Down’s Syndrome with:

• specialist advisers on benefits
• education and health
• advice for new parents or anyone experiencing difficulties
• advice on employment for people with Down’s syndrome

If you have any questions or concerns about Down’s syndrome their Helpline advisors on tel: 0333 1212 300. They can provide information, support, guidance and signposting to other appropriate organisations. The Helpline is usually open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. Callers can access trained helpline advisers. The service may be closed occasionally during these times for operational reasons; if this occurs notice will be given on our website.

For more information go to their website here: www.downs-syndrome.org.uk

They also support a local Kent Down’s Syndrome support group called the Kent Wide Downs Group you can go to their website here: www.kentwideds.org

Elefriends is a supportive online community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, and this is a safe place to listen, share and be heard. Whether you’re feeling good right now, or really low, it’s a safe place to share experiences and listen to others.

Shared experiences and perspectives are valuable and powerful. In this way Elefriends don’t just get help, they give help too. In the good times and the bad.

• Post on the wall to say hello. New friends are always welcomed into the herd

• If you don’t feel up to writing something just now then that’s ok too – just take a look at what other people are saying and show your support by clicking one of the buttons to say, ‘I like this’, ‘I’m thinking of you’ or ‘I hear you’

• Perhaps there’s something you’re struggling with at the moment? With lots of supportive ele friends, you’re likely to get a fresh perspective on your situation

• Don’t forget to share good news – the Elephant wants to hear what you’re proud of too, even if it feels like a small thing. And pictures and videos always brighten up his day too

To go to the Elefriends website follow the link: www.elefriends.org.uk

Family Matters are there to support you if you have been subjected to rape or sexual abuse. Family Matters operate throughout Kent and Medway and provide a confidential helpline, counselling, advice and support.

Family Matters provide:

• A safe and confidential environment in which to explore the thoughts, feelings and behaviour affecting your life.
• To listen, offer support and help as you find a way through some of the difficulties you are experiencing and how they impact on your wellbeing.
• To help reduce the mental and physical distress you may be experiencing.
• To assist those faced with inflicting self harm or suicidal thoughts.
• To guide you through a period of change, during which we will help you grow and replace old behaviour with new ways of thinking and self-discovery.

The Family Matters counselling practice is supported by qualified professionals - specialists in the areas of childhood sexual abuse and rape. They are trained across a wide range of issues and disciplines to help those affected address their fears and identify a clear path towards resolution and healing.

Family Matters expertise is wide-ranging and covers physical abuse, depression, anxiety, post traumatic stress, child protection, trauma, bereavement, self-esteem issues, and anger management. Family Matters would also address how being vulnerable impacts on work related problems, sexuality issues and - where appropriate - related drug and alcohol problems.

Helpline 01474 537392 or email at: [email protected] or write to their Head Office at 13 Wrotham Road, Gravesend, Kent DA11 0PA.

To go to their website follow the linkL www.familymattersuk.org

Get Connected are there for advice if you’re under 25, they are there for you, 365 days a year, for absolutely anything you’re going through. Get Connected are free, confidential, and you can contact them however you’d prefer - by phone, email, text or webchat.

They can help you with anything you are going through, and this includes:

• Abuse and violence
• Bullying, harassment and discrimination
• Citizenship and cultural issues
• Crime, the law and your rights
• Drink, drugs and addictions
• Families and care
• Feelings and mental health
• Gender and sexual identity
• Harming yourself
• Housing and homelessness
• Physical health
• Sex, relationships and pregnancy
• Work, education and money

To go to the Get Connected website click here, or follow the link: www.getconnected.org.uk

By phone - Call them free on 0808 808 4994 open from 1pm - 11pm every day

By text - Text them free on 80849 Texts will usually be answered within 24 hours

By Email - click here to go to the Get Connected contact page. Emails will usually be answered within 24 hours.

The Hearing Voices Network is a network and support service for people who hear voices, their families and carers.

Telephone: 0114 271 8210 or email: [email protected]. To find out more go to their website by following the link: www.hearing-voices.org.

The Hearing Voices Network provides information, support and understanding to people who hear voices and those who support them.

The aims of the network are:

• To raise awareness of voice hearing, visions, tactile sensations and other sensory experiences
• To give men women and children who have these experiences an opportunity to talk freely about this together
• To support anyone with these experiences seeking to understand, learn and grow from them in their own way

www.hearing-voices.org

Help for Hoarders is an online resource providing information, support and advice for hoarders, and their family and friends.

Help for Hoarders has tools, tips and help for people who hoard as well as a online forum for those wanting to contact people in similar situations.

If you need help and support on hoarding then this is a good place to start.

To find out more go to their website by following the link: www.helpforhoarders.co.uk

Many parents need help, friendship, advice or support during those early years when their children are young. If you have at least one child under five then Home Start can help. Being a parent can be a tough job, and a lack of support from family or friends can lead to isolation.

The Home-Start volunteers are all parents themselves, and offer friendship, support and strategies to help families establish good bedtime routines, manage challenging behaviour, and even finances. They also help families with more complex needs including mental health, child protection or domestic violence issues. They work with the family over a number of weeks providing confidential friendly support to help families grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children and widen their links with the local community.

Address: 46 Green Street, Gillingham, ME7 1XA. To see this location on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01634 570717

Email: [email protected] or go to their website: www.home-startmedway.org.uk

• Provide support for parents
• Support and Friendship for families

Have you seen your GP or Doctor and they have recommended you see a counsellor and get some therapy? Insight Healthcare is one of the free NHS funded talking therapy and counselling services available in Kent and Medway. These services are open to everyone aged from 17+.

Are you feeling stressed or depressed or anxious?

Or struggling with a phobia, eating disorder or addiction?

Or if you are looking for someone to help you through a difficult time in life, maybe a friend or relative has died or you’re struggling with fertility of if you have lost your job?

Talking therapies can help all sorts of people in many different situations. Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or who has emotional problems they can’t sort out on their own.

You can refer yourself into this free service and see a NHS funded therapist.

Contact: Insight Healthcare: Telephone: 0300 555 5555 or email [email protected]. To go to their website click here.

Insight Healthcare provide counselling and support for common mental health problems; anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, phobias and anger, as well as problems with regards to relationships, work or debt.

www.insighthealthcare.org

There are several talking therapy providers in your area so if one has a waiting list why not try another therapy provider go to our list of local NHS Talking Therapy providers which you can find on our NHS Counselling and Therapy page.

This service was provided as part of the IAPT programme, to find out more about IAPT go to: www.iapt.nhs.uk.

Have you seen your GP or Doctor and they have recommended you see a counsellor and get some therapy? KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapies Medway is one of the free NHS funded talking therapy and counselling services available in Kent and Medway. These services are open to everyone aged from 17+.

Are you feeling stressed or depressed or anxious?

Or struggling with a phobia, eating disorder or addiction?

Or if you are looking for someone to help you through a difficult time in life, maybe a friend or relative has died or you’re struggling with fertility of if you have lost your job?

Talking therapies can help all sorts of people in many different situations. Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or who has emotional problems they can’t sort out on their own.

You can refer yourself into this free service and see a NHS funded therapist.

KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapies Medway: Contact 01634 841524 or self refer by going to the following link: www.kmpt.nhs.uk/information-and-advice/pcpts

KMPT Primary Care Psychological Therapies Medway provide counselling and support for common mental health problems; anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, phobias and anger, as well as problems with regards to relationships, work or debt.

There are several talking therapy providers in your area so if one has a waiting list why not try another therapy provider go to our list of local NHS Talking Therapy providers which you can find on our NHS Counselling and Therapy page.

This service was provided as part of the IAPT programme, to find out more about IAPT go to: www.iapt.nhs.uk.

The Live It Well Website has a range of information and advice all designed to support your mental health and wellbeing. Find out about the Six Ways to Wellbeing and what people in Kent are doing to support their wellbeing.

We have information on money and benefits, debt help and advice, mental health services and how to get help in Kent and Medway.

We have a unique database of local support and help that is available in your community.

We have listings for all of the NHS Talking therapy providers in Kent, so if you are struggling find out how you can refer yourself into services here.

• Gives advice and links to other services
• Local focus website, with links to social activities, physical health and things to do in Kent and Medway
• Hosts the Live It Library - mental health recovery stories
• Offers support pages, live online support and local information
• Information on how the community mental health teams work and the mental health system in Kent and Medway
• Supports the Six Ways to Wellbeing and has local suggestions to support these - Connect, Be Active, Keep Learning, Take Notice, Give, and Planet - Care
• Employment , money and debt advice
• Information about personal budgets and self direct support
• Information on carers groups and service user networks
• Information on PTSD
• Information on Housing help and support

We are always looking to improve our website so if you have any ideas about how we can help let us know. To go to the home page go to www.liveitwell.org.uk or to contact Live It Well email: [email protected]

M.A.P.S. is an Activity Programme Service for people who have physical and/or learning disabilities. They run a variety of activites all over Kent. They give people a positive outlook in life as they help individuals have new experiences and make new friends. They run activities and events all of which are listed on their website.

To go to their website follow the link: www.mapsactivityprogrammes.co.uk

Cruse provide bereavement counselling for all. Cruse provides support, counselling and advice and gives you someone to turn to when someone dies.

Cruse provides advice, information and support to anyone who has been bereaved (children, young people and adults), whenever or however the death occurred. The service is provided by trained, experienced volunteers, and is confidential and free. Cruse provides Can offer:

• someone to talk to face-to-face, or
• on the telephone
• online support
• groups – some bereaved people find it helpful to talk to others in similar circumstances
• information – about many aspects of bereavement and other sources of help and support
• face-to-face, telephone helpline and online support for children and young people.
• Support for those bereaved by death
• Supports military families
• Provides training in bereavement support

Maidstone Community Support Centre, 39-48 Marsham St, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1HH
Tel: 01622 671011 or to go to their website follow the link: www.maidstonecruse.org.uk

• Support for those bereaved by death
• Supports military families
• Provides training in bereavement support

National helpline: 0844 477 9400 or Email: [email protected]. To go to the national Cruse website click here or follow the link: www.cruse.org.uk

Manage Your Mind workshops are designed to help you learn how to manage stress, worry, anxiety and depression. These workshops are free. The workshops are aimed at those who need support in dealing with mental, physical and emotional stresses and you will learn how to manage stress, improve behaviour and learn to have a more positive outlook.

The workshops are designed to help you to:

• Manage Negative Emotions
• Reduce Stress, Worry, Anxiety and Depression
• Increase Control over your life

To find out more about the course and to register for free go to: www.manageyourmind.org.uk or email them at: [email protected]

Maytree is a charity supporting people in suicidal crisis, if you, or someone you know, could benefit from a one-off stay in a safe and confidential space, please contact the Maytree today on 020 7263 7070 or email [email protected].

The Maytree offer a free 4-night/5-day stay to people experiencing suicidal thoughts, and the opportunity to be befriended and heard in complete confidence, without judgement and with compassion and warmth.

To contact them email: [email protected] or Tel: 020 7263 7070.

To go to their website click here or follow the link: www.maytree.org.uk

Medway Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) provide services to adults people living in the community who are experiencing mental health problems.

Canada House, Barnsole Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 4JL. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Tel: 01634 583020

For their website click here or to find out more about Community Mental Health Teams click here.

• Referrals to the CMHTs are usually made directly through a GP
• The intake element of a CMHT acts as a single point of access for all referrals to mental health services that we provide.
• If you are referred to a team they will assess you, signpost and offer short-term treatment as close as possible to your home

www.kmpt.nhs.uk

Medway Men’s Health Project is a group for men who are feeling isolated or need some extra support.

When does it happen? Every Thursday

Where: The Sunlight Centre, 105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, Kent, ME7 1LX. To see this location on a google map click here.

To find out more information call Steve Gill 07553 385 989 or email: [email protected] or just drop in - its free!

At Christmas 2014 BBC Radio Kent featured the project in one of their bulletins. To listen to Steve and some of the guys in the project follow the link here: Medway Mens Health Project on BBC Radio Kent.

MEGAN CIC is the Medway Engagement Group and Network CIC. MEGAN CIC provides opportunities for mental health service users, past and present, to share their views and experiences of mental health issues and services and participate in local service planning and development.

MEGAN CIC aims to offer peer support through group attendance, raise awareness of mental health issues and combat stigma and discrimination and support people with mental health issues in their recovery.

These aims are met through the provision of various groups including Peer Support Groups for people with OCD, Personality Disorder, Anxiety and Depression, Schizophrenia and Bipolar, Activity Groups, Walk N Talks, Forum Meetings, Social Groups and signposting and support sessions.

MEGAN CIC also runs Peer Support Groups for People with Personality Disorders (PD) in the Swale and Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley areas you can find out more about these by downloading their poster by following the link.

Contact Tracey Jones & Catherine Morgan at MEGAN CIC by Telephone: 01634 402077

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.megancic.org.uk

Mental Health Action Groups (MHAG’s) provide a local forum for Mental Health information, support and expertise across Kent.

Mental Health Action Groups are an active platform and welcome everyone to participate in equal partnership to improve the lives of people living with mental health issues and their carers, both locally and county-wide.

They aim to:

• Make positive change
• Make links and network
• Improve services
• Inform commissioners and providers of mental health services
• Combat stigma and discrimination
• Campaign

They meet regularly across the county and you can find the dates and venues and meeting dates by following the link.

To join a Group or to find out more about what is happening locally to you go to the local news pages and click on the area of Kent or Medway closest to you or contact: [email protected]

liveitwell.org.uk/local-news - for the local news pages.

To find out about the County Mental Health Action Group follow the link.

The Mental Health Forum website offers a friendly open place for discussion, help and support with mental health issues. They have service user forums which provide the opportunity to meet and socialise with people who have experienced mental health issues as well as a way of getting involved in what is happening in Mental Health Services.

To find out more click here or go to the website here: www.mentalhealthforum.net

Mental Health Matters provide support for all mental health matters including bereavement, relationships, loneliness and stress 24 hours per day 7 days per week.

Mental Health Matters Telephone Helpline consists of a team of highly trained and experienced support workers who use counselling skills to provide you with emotional guidance and information.

You might choose to call us if:

• You may be feeling low, anxious or stressed and feel talking to another person might help you cope
• You may be in extreme emotional distress and feel that there is nowhere else to turn including thoughts of suicide
• You may be caring for another person and finding it difficult to cope.

Contacting the Helpline can give you a feeling of relief, wellbeing and peace of mind. You won’t be judged and our service is confidential unless we consider that there is a risk to yourself or others.

Helpline (Kent & Medway): 0800 1070160 24 hour support, 7 days a week, all year around.

The MindEd online resource provides information and advice concerning children’s mental health and wellbeing. The MindEd online resource is for concerned children and their families to seek help and advice. MindEd directs visitors to sections including ‘risky behaviour’, ‘eating disorders’, ‘sexual orientation and gender’ and ‘being a parent in the digital age’ for expert advice.

Topics on the website include:

• Should I Be Worried?
• What To Do In A Crisis
• Death And Loss (Including Pets)
• Trauma And Coping
• Talking To My Child
• Who Can Help Us?
• Building Confidence And Resilience
• Parenting In A Digital World
• Refusal To Go To School
• Bullying And What To Do As A Parent
• Sexual Orientation And Gender
• Eating Disorders

The website has been developed by the The Department for Education and Department of Health

To go to the MindEd webpage follow the link: minded.e-lfh.org.uk/families/index.html

Have you heard about Mindfullness and being Mindfull for your mental wellbeing and wondered what it is referring to?

It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much. Paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you – can improve your mental wellbeing. Some people call this awareness ‘mindfulness’, and you can take steps to develop it in your own life.

Mindfullness is a form of meditation that uses breath as form of concentration. By focusing on breathing practicing mindfulness helps bring the individual back to focus on the present moment and enables people to focus on all of the experiences it contains.

Mindfullness is a way of becoming more aware of our thoughts and feelings, this may not sound like an obviously helpful thing to do, however learning to do this in a way that suspends judgement and self-criticism can have an incredibly positive impact on our lives. Mindfullness helps us to do this. Mindfullness cannot eliminate life’s pressures but it can affect how we respond to these pressures by enabling us to be calmer – this benefits the brain and the body. Practicing Mindfullness can help us to be fully present in our life and work and can help improve both.

Go to Live It Well’s Mindfullness information with links to free downloads by following the link.

The National Self Harm Network offers support, advice and advocacy services to people affected by self harm directly or in a care role.

The National Self Harm Network is an online resource which aims to:

• Support individuals who self harm to reduce emotional distress and to improve their quality of life
• Support and provide information for family and carers of individuals who self harm
• Empower and enable individuals that self harm to seek further support and alternatives to self harm
• Educate service providers and carers on matters relating to self harm, raise awareness, dispel myths and challenge misconceptions through providing information and training
• Resources and information about self harm

Click here to go to their website or follow the link: www.nshn.co.uk

OCD Action a national charity focusing on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They provide support and information to anybody affected by OCD.

OCD Action has:

• A helpline for information and advice about OCD
• A range of information and support which you can find by following this link: www.ocdaction.org.uk/support-info
• An online forum that you can contact through their website www.ocdaction.org.uk

The OCD Action Helpline and Email Service is a confidential and unbiased service offering help, information and support for people with OCD, carers and anyone who is concerned that they, or their friends or relatives, may have OCD or a related disorder.

The helpline is 0845 390 6232. Calls are charged at a local rate from a standard BT land line, mobile phone charges may vary.

Dependent upon volunteer availability: Monday – Friday 9.30am – 5pm. If they don’t have a volunteer available please leave a message and they aim to call you back within 24hrs of your call. They can also call you back in the evening. To email them use: [email protected]

www.ocdaction.org.uk

Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is an anxiety-related condition where a person experiences frequent intrusive and unwelcome obsessional thoughts, often followed by repetitive compulsions, impulses or urges. OCD-UK has a wide variety of resources and help for people who have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and their families and carers.

They provide information on:

• How to access help and support
• Advice and guidance
• Support Groups
• Publications
• & many more

They also run a helpline that is available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm.

Telephone: 0845 120 3778 or email: [email protected] or go to their website here: www.ocduk.org

Papyrus provide confidential young suicide prevention advice. If you are a young person at risk of suicide or are worried about a young person at risk of suicide Papyrus can help support you. They will listen to you in confidence and try to help you deal with your own suicidal thoughts or cope with someone else who may be feeling this way.

Tel: 0800 068 4141, email [email protected] or text: 07786 209697 (you do not have to give your name or whereabouts.)

Mon-Fri 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Weekends 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Or go to their website by clicking here or following the link: www.papyrus-uk.org

The Freephone HOPELineUK ran by Papyrus is a specialist telephone helpline service staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgmental support, practical advice and information to:

• children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35 who are worried about themselves
• anyone who is concerned about a young person

POhWer provides advocacy services in Medway. An advocate is someone who can both listen to you and speak for you in times of need. Advocacy is there to ensure that your views are heard and your rights defended, particularly at a time when you either feel or are unable to speak up for yourself. Unfortunately some people find that their views and opinions are sometimes not taken seriously and that their opportunities may be restricted, and in these cases an advocate can help support you.

Advocacy is there to enable people to:

• express their views and concerns
• access information and services
• defend and promote their rights and responsibilities
• explore choices and options
• protect their rights and entitlements to services
• help people to make their own decisions and choices
• ensure that the client has the opportunity to participate in decisions made about them and more importantly, ensure that they remain central to any and all decisions

In contact POhWER, go to their website here: www.pohwer.net/medway or email: [email protected], Tel: 0300 456 2370 (charged at local rate).

For more about advocacy go to our advocacy information page: www.liveitwell.org.uk/support-help/advocacy.

Porchlight support vulnerable and homeless people in Kent. They have supported accommodation services in Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Ramsgate, Sittingbourne and Tonbridge, a homelessness prevention service and a dedicated rough sleeper team. They provide a range of services supporting people with complex needs, with specialist services for young people, ex-offenders and people with enduring mental health issues. Our focus is on long-term solutions, breaking the cycle of homelessness and ensuring that people can live independently in the future.

The services Porchlight offer include:

• 24-hour helpline - If you are homeless, in housing difficulty or know someone who is, call their 24-hour helpline 0800 567 76 99
• Landlords - Are you looking for a tenant? Porchlight can help take the risk out of letting, making your job easier.
• Porchlight Adolescent Support Service (PASS) - Intensive support to young people aged 10-18.
• Supported Accommodation - Find out abou Porchlights’ adult supported accommodation projects in Kent.
• Rough Sleeper Service - This service works across Kent helping people sleeping on the streets to access emergency accommodation and incorporates Porchlights’ Private Landlord Liaison Service.
• Homelessness Prevention - Porchlight work to prevent homelessness through their floating support service. This service works with people in their own homes who are vulnerable to homelessness. Porchlight also have a Youth Homelessness Education Programme which works to prevent the next generation from becoming homeless or in housing need.
• Young Person’s Services - Porchlight have supported accommodation for 16-24 yr olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
• Community Support - Porchlight offer practical and accessible support to people in their own communities. Porchlight have specialist services supporting individuals with mental health issues as well as those who have become isolated, overwhelmed or unable to cope with day-to-day living.

Head Office, 2nd Floor Watling Chambers, 18-19 Watling Street, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 2AU Email: [email protected] Telephone: 01227 760078.

Free Helpline: 0800 5677699 or follow the link to go to their website: www.porchlight.org.uk

Kent Probation is a statutory criminal justice agency with more than 100 years of experience of working with offenders on community orders and licences. The Probation Service aims to protect the public and reduce re-offending by delivering the orders of the courts and by helping offenders to reform their lives.

• Specific monitoring of offenders within the community
• Work with individuals to address the underlying causes of their offending
• Working with offenders on community services to reduce reoffending

Telephone: 03000 473000

To find out more go to the Kent & Medway Probation website click here: ksscrc.co.uk

Royal British Legion Industries provides a work programme designed to:

• CV Building
• Interview Preparation
• Job Searching and Application
• Confidence building

They also provide welfare, healthcare and housing services for veterans and ex armed services personnel and their families
Extensive support including residential nursing, supported accommodation and rehabilitation

Address: RBLI, Hall Rd, Aylesford, Nr. Maidstone, ME20 7NL

Telephone Nos: 01622 795954/795900 or email at: [email protected].

For the website follow the link: www.rbli.co.uk

The Samaritans provide 24 hour help 365 days a year.

Telephone 116 123 or email: [email protected]

(this phone number works even if you do not have credit on your phone)

You can’t really generalise how struggling to cope can make you feel or act, but if you think these symptoms sound like you or someone you know, please get in touch with the Samaritans

• Lacking energy or feeling tired
• Feeling restless and agitated
• Feeling tearful
• Not wanting to talk to or be with people
• Not wanting to do things you usually enjoy
• Using alcohol or drugs to cope with feelings
• Finding it hard to cope with everyday thing

Talk to the Samaritans any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.

The Samaritans provide face to face and phone contact for mental distress, suicide, self-harm, isolation.

To find your local branch follow the link www.samaritans.org/branches

For their websitego to: www.samaritans.org.uk

SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Their mental health support services are completely confidential. Whatever your problems or concerns, you will receive non-judgemental emotional support. Their professional staff and trained volunteers have specialist mental health knowledge; they can help you consider options for support that address your individual circumstances.

Telephone on 0845 7678000

• Helpline offers emotional support and information for individuals affected by mental health problems
• Helpline open daily 18.00-23.00

For their website follow the link: www.sane.org.uk

Self injury Support is a charity, support women in emotional distress. Self injury Support particularly help girls and women who harm themselves (often called self-injury). This is how some people cope with their feelings and problems. Self injury Support offers support to women in emotional distress, and particularly to those who self-injure and find the best ways of working with them.

They also have a range of leaflets and guidance on the subject of self harm.

They run a Women’s Self Injury Helpline: 0808 800 8088 which is open on Monday - Friday from 7-10pm excluding Thursdays. You can call them for confidential, non-judgemental emotional support around self injury.

They also run the TESS text and email support service, which is available for girls and young women up to 24yrs who self-injure. Open Sun, Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs and Fri 7pm - 9pm. Or Text them on 0780 047 2908 or email TESS for more information about this service following the link .

For more information go to their website: www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk

Alternative Sources of Support: Mental Health Matters is there for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week 0800 107 1060, mobiles 0300 330 5486. For other sources of help go to our need help now pages.

selfharm.co.uk is a project dedicated to supporting young people impacted by self-harm.

Self-harm is an umbrella term for any behaviour, action or habit, which can cause damage to your health. This can include cutting, but also includes overeating, taking drugs, smoking and drinking too much alcohol. It’s a wide area that covers a whole range of actions.

Deliberate self-harm is a term used when someone intentionally injures or harms him or herself. We all have accidents and end up with cuts and bruises through no fault of our own - but it’s the cuts and bruises that we cause ourselves on purpose that are classified as self-harm.

selfharm.co.uk provides a safe space to talk, ask any questions and be honest about what’s going on in your life. To go to selfharm.co.uk website click here. or email: [email protected]

Shelter helps millions of people every year struggling with bad housing or homelessness. They provide free information and advocacy to people in housing need.

24 Housing support, help and advice 0808 8004444

• Visit the Get Advice section for help online
• Phone or visit a Shelter advice centre near you
• To go to their website click here
• Provides advice and support on all aspects of housing
• Legal advice on eviction, emergencies, homelessness
• Will offer support and advice for housing in cases of family break-up, domestic violence and homeless young people

http://england.shelter.org.uk

SOBS (Survivors Of Bereavement by Suicide) is a self-help, voluntary organisation helping those who have been bereaved or affected by suicide. If you have been bereaved or affected by suicide at any point, there is help available and you do not have to be alone.

SOBS (Survivors Of Bereavement by Suicide) services can be accessed as often and for as long as you need them. It doesn’t matter how long it has been since your bereavement happened or what your relationship was with the person who died. If you feel you have been affected by a suicide and you would like to talk about it, SOBS (Survivors Of Bereavement by Suicide) are there.

Please contact their National Helpline on 0300 111 5065 9am to 9pm every day.

For more information or to access their resources go to the SOBS website here: uk-sobs.org.uk

To find a local support group go to: uk-sobs.org.uk/we-can-help/local-support-groups

If you are experiencing distress and need to speak to someone now please go to www.liveitwell.org.uk/support-and-help/need-help-now/ or call:

Mental Health Matters Helpline: 0800 107 0160

SSAFA provide whatever support is needed for the Forces family. SSAFA provide lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force. They are here for you and your family, whenever and wherever you need us. They will always treat you with dignity and respect.

Call our central team on 0207 403 8783

If you are currently serving in the armed forces they can help with:

• Housing and housing advice
• Family Support Groups
• Adoption for serving families
• Additional Needs and Disability support
• Mentoring for Service personnel
• Professional health and social care
• Personal Support & Social Work for the RAF
• Forcesline confidential helpline
• Support for serving families abroad

If you are an ex armed services veteran SSAFA have trained volunteers can provide practical and emotional help if and when you need it. They also have a network of local branches, which means that help and advice is always close at hand.
Call our team on 0845 241 7141 or send them an enquiry.

They also offer the following specialist services for veterans and their families:

• Housing and housing advice
• Forcesline confidential helpline
• Support for offenders, ex-offenders and partners

For more information go to their main website: www.ssafa.org.uk

For Kent specific help call: 01622 792363 or email: [email protected]

They should be able to answer your calls and emails between: Monday to Friday - 9.00 - 17.00 At other times please leave a message or send an email and someone will get back to you soon

St Giles Trust aims to help break the cycle of prison, crime and disadvantage and create safer communities by supporting people to change their lives. Their services put reformed ex-offenders at the heart of the solution, training them to use their skills and first-hand experience to help others through peer-led support. Around one-third of our staff are ex-offenders who now support others.

Skills and employment services for ex offenders includes:

• On the job training,
• regular monitoring and supervision,
• professional training in a range of areas,
• a one-to-one session with a specialist in disclosure,
• involvement in our Peer Advisor User Group,
• access to employment opportunities and support to move into paid employment
• Work with prisoners towards rehabilitation and support
• Youth offenders and those at list of offending, support and projects
• Supports prisoners in prison and on release towards work and independence
• Support for children and families of offenders

Telephone: 0207 703 7000 or email: [email protected]

To go to their website follow the link: www.stgilestrust.org.uk

A community owned and managed charitable organisation that works with partners across all sectors. They combine a mix of services aimed at everyone within the community; nobody is excluded. The overriding aim is to improve health inequity and well-being by providing an improved range of social, medical and community activities and can help you with a healthier lifestyle with their Health Trainers.

Alzheimer’s or Dementia support that includes the following:

• A regular programme of weekly and monthly activities such as ‘sing-along’ and ‘tai-chi’, outings and events
• Monthly ‘caring for carers’ support groups and coffee mornings
• Regular contact with and support calls to those in contact with the service
• Home visits to assist with the completion of welfare benefit forms, relevant entitlements and services
• Support to access other information relevant to Alzheimer’s and Dementia and the caring role
• A quarterly newsletter
• Onward referral and signposting as appropriate to the individual’s needs and circumstances.

105 Richmond Road, Gillingham, ME7 1LX. To see the location of this service on a google map click here.

Telephone: 01634 338600 or email: [email protected]. To go to their web page click here, or go to the following link: www.sunlighttrust.org.uk

Sunlight Wellbeing Cafe provides a safe environment for people to people to have access to mental health support and advice. The Wellbeing Cafe is there to respond quickly to prevent an escalation of a crisis.

The Wellbeing Cafe operate an open door policy with no need to book an appointment, on site there will be one to one support by a qualified counsellor and / or mental health support available.

Where: Sunlight Centre, Richmond Road, Gillingham.

For opening times and details of what is happening at the Sunlight centre go to their facebook page here: www.facebook.com/TheWellbeingCafe

If you need help and support now please follow the link to find out about the 24 hour support and help that is available to you.

Support Line is a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. Support Line is aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. Support Line will enable the caller to talk over their feelings with a helpline worker who offers non-judgmental, caring, empathic support. The helpline worker will encourage greater understanding and awareness of the caller’s issues and help the caller develop more positive coping strategies.

Telephone: 01708 765 200 (hours vary so ring for details)

www.supportline.org.uk

The National Autistic Society provide a wide range of services for those affected by autism and their families. Click here to go to their website, and look for your local branch.

Their services include:

• Advice and Information
• Education and schools
• Residential Help
• Support for Carers
• Employment and Support

www.autism.org.uk

TheSite.org is an online guide to life for 16-25 year olds in the UK. It provides non-judgmental support and information on everything from sex and stress to debt and drugs.

Straight-talking emotional support is available 24 hours a day. There are options for:

• Chatting about anything on moderated discussion boards and live chat rooms
• Browsing over 2000 articles and videos full of trustworthy facts
• Reading about the experiences of other young people in the True Life section
• Asking questions about friends, dating, love or family life to trained advisors – free and confidential

They have information and advice on:

• Sex & Relationships
• Your Body
• Mental Health
• Drink & Drugs
• Housing
• Money
• Work & Study
• Crime & Safety
• Travel & Lifestyle

www.thesite.org

Have you seen your GP or Doctor and they have recommended you see a counsellor and get some therapy? Thinkaction Medway is one of the free NHS funded talking therapy and counselling services available in Kent and Medway. These services are open to everyone aged from 17+.

Are you feeling stressed or depressed or anxious?

Or struggling with a phobia, eating disorder or addiction?

Or if you are looking for someone to help you through a difficult time in life, maybe a friend or relative has died or you’re struggling with fertility of if you have lost your job?

Talking therapies can help all sorts of people in many different situations. Talking therapy is for anyone who’s going through a bad time or who has emotional problems they can’t sort out on their own.

You can refer yourself into this free service and see a NHS funded therapist.

Thinkaction Medway: 01634 298598 or email [email protected], opening hours are Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, they accept GP or self referrals. Address: 248a High Street, Chatham, Kent ME4 4AN

For their website follow the link: www.addaction.org.uk

Thinkaction Medway provide counselling and support for common mental health problems; anxiety, low mood, low self-esteem, stress, trauma, phobias and anger, as well as problems with regards to relationships, work or debt.

There are several talking therapy providers in your area so if one has a waiting list why not try another therapy provider go to our list of local NHS Talking Therapy providers which you can find on our NHS Counselling and Therapy page.

This service was provided as part of the IAPT programme, to find out more about IAPT go to: www.iapt.nhs.uk.

Tourettes Action is an online resource for people, families and carers of people with Tourettes syndrome. Tourettes Action has a range of support, help and advice about how to deal with Tourettes.

Their information includes:

• Support in dealing with Tourettes syndrome in everyday life
• Advice for young people about what it means to have Tourettes syndrome and where to find support.
• Guidance for parents and pupils on accessing support in school.
• Advice for people with Tourettes syndrome about what it means at work.
• Support in everyday life, including housing, benefits and transport.

Tourettes Action also has a range of services for people living with Tourettes this includes:

• A helpdesk for advice
• Latest events, including regular support group meetings - including find a TA support group near to you
• Online chat forum for people affected by Tourettes

Go to their website by following this link: www.tourettes-action.org.uk

Victim Support can help you if you’ve been a victim of any crime or have been affected by a crime committed against someone you know, victim support can help you find the strength to deal with what you’ve been through. Victim Support is here to help anyone affected by crime, not only victims and witnesses, but their friends, family and any other people involved. You can contact them whether or not you reported the crime to the police. They are just there to support you.

Their services are free and available to everyone, whether or not the crime has been reported and regardless of when it happened.

• National Charity offering support for victims and witnesses of crime
• Run the Witness Service in courts
• Support offered for immediate and historic experience of crime
• They help victims to receive respect, recognition and support
• They help victims to get information and an explanation about the progress of their case
• They help victims to be protected in any way necessary
• They help victims to receive compensation

Telephone: 0845 3899528 or Victim Supportline: 0845 3030900.

To go to their website follow the link: www.victimsupport.org.uk

YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. YoungMinds is an online resource for professionals, parents and young people through our Parents’ Helpline, online resources, training and development, outreach work and publications.

Young Minds has information and resources for children and young people.

They also help parents and carers to understand their child’s behaviour and enabling them to secure the right professional help for their children. Parents Helpline: 0808 802 554 - 9.30am - 4pm Monday - Friday

To go to their website follow the link: www.youngminds.org.uk