WOKINGHAM Borough Council is reminding residents that support is available to anyone struggling with their mental health.
It has published a guide to services available in the borough.
Mental health includes emotional, psychological and social wellbeing and affects how people think, feel and act. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or financial status.
Executive member for adult social care and public health Cllr Charles Margetts said that feelings of isolation, shame and hesitation can prevent people from seeking advice and getting the support they need.
“One in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives,” he said.
“We want to break down these barriers and provide residents with easy access to quality care and support, at the right time.
“If you are suffering with your mental health, you are not alone, help is available.”
The Wokingham Wellbeing Service is run in partnership with Mind in Berkshire, particularly to help people who are experiencing low mood, feeling anxious, overwhelmed or isolated, or who are dealing with many responsibilities and are unsure where to start. Wellbeing workers can offer residents free one-to-one appointments for people aged 18 and over. They will listen to concerns and help identify relevant services, resources and tools to improve wellbeing. The service available through all GP practices in the borough.
Wokingham Recovery College offers education, workshops and training to help people with mental health on the road to recovery. It aims to help people become experts in their own self-care and enable family, friends and staff to better understand mental health. Tutors have professional and real-world experience of mental and physical health challenges, including staff peers and mental health professionals. The college aims to provide a safe, non-judgemental space where residents can confidentially share their experiences and voice any issues they may be facing. It runs a series of free events every month.
NHS Talking Therapies is available to any resident aged 17 and over who is registered with a Berkshire GP practice. The service accepts self-referrals and GP referrals and offers support to people struggling with depression, stress, anxiety and phobias.
One Front Door is a service led by Citizens Advice Wokingham and delivered in partnership with many local voluntary sector organisations. It is supported by the borough council, and offers support with loneliness and mental health. One Front Door can provide support to residents on a range of different topics, including struggling with rent, bills or feeling overwhelmed. It can also assist residents struggling with low esteem and mental health by making referrals to befriending charities and peer support groups.
The Friendship Alliance is an initiative brought together by The Link Visiting Scheme, Age UK, Involve Community Services and the Wokingham Volunteer Centre to tackle loneliness and improve the mental and physical wellbeing of Wokingham borough residents.
For more information contact Jayne Steak on jayne@linkvisiting.org
The borough council also has an online directory for emotional and mental health services, including emergency advice.
