If you help care for a family member or friend who is living with a mental health condition, it can feel difficult to get the answers and support you might need. We can help.
On this page, you’ll find information about activities and groups, useful links, how to support someone during a mental health crisis, understanding confidentiality, and your rights as a carer through the Carers Charter.
In-person support for you and the person you care for is available at the mental health and wellbeing Hubs at Clarence Street and Acomb Garth, where our Carer Peer Support Workers can chat with you about the support we can offer to you.
yorcommunitywellbeinghub.org/
As well as one-to-one support and advice from an experienced carer, we also offer two groups for family members and anyone supporting someone close who has a mental health condition. These groups are friendly and supportive and are led by our Carer Support Workers. If you’re not sure if a group is right for you, please get in touch and one of our team can give you an idea of what we do.
When you feel ready, you may be interested in this training:
Suicide prevention online training courses by Zero Suicide Alliance Zero Suicide Alliance
See below for a bit more information about each group. There’s no need to book a place, but please do get in touch with us before attending for the first time. See the upcoming dates on our events calendar.
A monthly group where some sessions are focused on sharing support, and others are discussions led by visiting speakers. New members are always welcome. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month from 7pm to 8.45pm. We meet at Friends Meeting House, Friargate.
This group is a welcoming and relaxed group for people who support someone with a mental health condition, including caring for: someone in crisis; or someone admitted to, or discharged from Foss Park Hospital.
We offer this as a time to focus on your wellbeing, chat to others with similar experiences and join in gentle activities.
There are different wellbeing activities each month, with materials and refreshments provided.
We meet on the last Tuesday of each month from 6.15pm – 8pm at 30 Clarence Street, York YO31 7EW
For information about upcoming groups and to be added to the mailing list, please contact lindsey.foster@yorkcarerscentre.co.uk
Here are links to organisations providing information, support and advice for family members, carers and supporters of someone with mental ill health:
The local mental health service provider Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) have principles on confidentiality for staff when working with carers detailed here.
This can be a tricky area for carers, so please do get in touch if you would like help with this.
Even if the person you care for does not give consent for information to be shared with you, this does not mean that services should not give you time, hear how things are from your perspective and give you general information and guidance.
Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) have produced a carers charter which is developed for all who support someone being cared for by the Trust.
We’ve complied this list below, full of advice and helpful resources (such as helplines and apps) for you if you are supporting someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
When you feel ready, you may be interested in this training:
Suicide prevention online training courses by Zero Suicide Alliance
If someone has attempted suicide, call 999 and stay with them until the ambulance arrives, or go to A&E, if you can.
If you’re worried that someone is at immediate risk of taking their own life, you should do the following if you feel able:
Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Provides specialist assessment for people aged 16 and over who need urgent mental health care. This assessment helps to understand and agree what your current needs are and how they may be able to support you. This includes mental and physical health needs and well as any social care needs. Family members can play an important role in supporting wellbeing and can be involved in assessments. For more info click here.
Call 07483 141 310 – Monday to Friday 6pm to 10pm, Weekends 2pm to 10pm, 30 Clarence Street, York YO31 7DE
The Haven offers a welcoming, safe, comfortable, non-judgmental, and non-clinical environment. The Haven provides information and emotional support if you are in crisis or feel you are heading towards a crisis situation. Drop in for a chat, or to access one-to-one emotional support from trained mental health professionals. People using The Haven have access to a 24-hour telephone emotional support line staffed by trained counsellors.
There is further advice on the MIND website for people in a mental health crisis, including other ways to get help and support.
C- Calm the situation by remaining calm yourself
A- Actively listen
R- Reassure the person that you will stay with them, that you are listening to them
E- Encourage the person to seek help
R- Remember You!
Samaritans: Call 116 123 (24hrs a day, 7 days a week) For all ages.
The Samaritans can listen to you and help you talk through your concerns, worries and troubles. They will focus on your thoughts and feelings and may ask questions to help you explore how you feel.
Papyrus Hopeline: 0800 068 4141 (9am to midnight, everyday including weekends and bank holidays) For children and young people up to age 35.
Hopeline advisors provide a safe space to talk through anything happening in life that may be impacting on your ability, or anyone else’s ability, to keep safe. Available to those experiencing thoughts of suicide or for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking of suicide.
CALM: 0800 585858 (5pm to midnight, everyday) For all ages.
Whatever challenges you’re facing, CALM listen, talk and plan together so you can begin to look to the future. There’s no judgment, no pressure, just free confidential service to help.
Silver Line: 0800 470 8090 (24hrs a day, every day) For older people.
The only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK open every day and night of the year. Specially trained helpline team can offer conversation and friendship; provide information and advice; link to local groups and services; refer people to receive regular friendship calls; and protect and support older people who are suffering abuse and neglect.
SHOUT textline: text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (24hrs a day, every day)
Trained volunteers are there to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safe place. Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service.
A mental health database of support in your area.
The Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource, packed full of useful information to help you stay safe. Can be used if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
Calm’s mission is to make the world healthier and happier. The app contains support for meditation and sleep, as well as music and masterclasses.
Everyday mindfulness and meditation for stress, anxiety, sleep, focus, fitness and more.
Adfam is a national charity tackling the effects of alcohol, drug use or gambling on family members and friends.
IDAS is a specialist charity supporting anyone experiencing or affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence. Their services include refuge accommodation, community based support, peer mentoring, group work and access to a free confidential out of hours’ helpline.
Mind Infoline – 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm, Mon to Fri)
Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Mind campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
OCD Action provides support and information to anybody affected by OCD, work to raise awareness of the disorder amongst the public and front-line healthcare workers, and strive to secure a better deal for people with OCD.
Rethink improve the lives of people affected by mental illness through our network of local groups, expert information and successful campaigning.
Rethink have two groups in York: The York Mental Health Carers Group (run in partnership with York Carers Centre) and a social group for people experiencing mental ill health group.
Their mission is to help people understand, protect and sustain their mental health.
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people, helping with any challenge you’re facing such as; mental health, money, homelessness, finding a job, break-ups, drugs. Contact them via the online community, on social, through their free, confidential helpline or counselling service. The mix also have specific articles and web chat support for young carers.
