Mental Health
Mental Wellbeing - West Berks Council
West Berkshire Council have produced a parent’s guide for mental health and wellbeing, which includes sources of local support, advice and services for parents and carers of children and young people.
Find Local Mental Health Services
Little Blue Book of Sunshine
Teenagers across Berkshire West are getting help and tips on dealing with mental health problems from a ‘Little Blue Book of Sunshine’.
The book, which has been commissioned by the Berkshire West Clinical Commissioning Groups, has been delivered to every secondary school in Reading, Wokingham and West Berkshire for pupils aged 14 and above to keep and refer to whenever they are feeling blue.
Dementia - Directory of Services
Download a copy of the groups and activities available in the West Berkshire area
Open for Hope - improving mental health and wellbeing across Berkshire
A volunteer led group whose aims are to combat isolation, loneliness and improve mental wellbeing. Held at:
Memorial Hall
Tudor Court
Brownsfield Road
Thatcham
RG18 3HB
from 1.00pm – 4.00pm on Tuesdays.
Contact Jackie Wilkinson, Coordinator, on 07391194102 or sec.wbiln@gmail.com
British Pregnancy Advisory Service
If you discover that you have a pregnancy that you feel you are unable to continue with, BPAS will be here to support you to make a decision that is right for you.
Telephone: 03457 30 40 30
Website: www.bpas.org
Emotional Wellbeing Berkshire
Your guide to local mental health services.
Emotional Wellbeing West Berkshire
A guide to local Mental Health Services.
Check out the online hub of information for more useful support, guidance, apps and more.
National Centre for Eating Disorders
Treatment and carer support.
Telephone: 0845 838 2040
Website: www.eating-disorders.org.uk
The Little Blue Book of Sunshine
Life can be tough. If school is pants, you’re trying to figure out who you are and parents are stressing you out… then why wouldn’t you feel down on the world? But that’s rubbish if it means you feel bad about yourself, lose confidence or can’t bounce back. The Little Blue Book Of Sunshine explains some of the things you can do right now to feel better, or who to turn to if things feel too much
Website: www.thelittlebluebookofsunshine
Talking Therapies Berkshire
Are you feeling low? Anxious? Or stressed? You may benefit from support from Talking Therapies – a free NHS service supporting adults 17+ in Berkshire suffering from a variety of difficulties including stress, sleep difficulties, low mood and worry.
Talking Therapies are able to offer 1:1 support via telephone or video consultation as well as pre-recorded group sessions – Stress Less and Wellness groups and online support.
Visit their website talkingtherapies.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk or call 0300 365 2000 to arrange your first appointment.
Mental Health problems in Children and Young People
Looking after a child or young person who has emotional or mental health problems can be very hard. This leaflet offer guidance on how to best support your child and there to find further advice and help with their mental health.
Memories Cafe
Come along to the new Memories Café at Winchcombe Place. This is open to anyone who has dementia or their family members and carers and all are welcome to enjoy coffee and cake in a friendly and relaxed setting.
Kooth
Free anonymous online chat for young people to discuss your mental health issues.
Website: kooth.com
Time to Talk (West Berkshire)
Time to Talk (West Berkshire) provides free confidential counselling services to young people in need aged 11 to 25.
Telephone: 01635 760331
Website: t2twb.org
Email: office@t2twb.org
Sport in Mind
Sport in Mind® is the independent Berkshire mental health sports charity formed in Reading in 2011 to use sport and physical activity to help aid the recovery of people experiencing mental health problems and encourage individuals to move their lives forward in a positive direction.
Telephone or Text: 07341 267740
Website: sportinmind.org
Email: info@sportinmind.org
Sport in Mind Berkshire West
Sport in Mind is an independent Berkshire mental health sports charity (unaffiliated to Mind) founded in 2011. Its aim is to use sport and physical activity to help aid the recovery of people experiencing a wide range of mental health problems by promoting mental wellbeing, improving physical health and combating social isolation.
Emotional Health Academy
Helping children, young people and families find support for emotional well-being earlier, faster and more easily within West Berkshire.
Telephone: 01635 519018
Website: info.westberks.gov.uk
SANE
SANE provides emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers.
Helpline: 0300 304 7000
Facebook: charitySANE
Twitter: @CharitySANE
Website: www.sane.org.uk
Samaritans
If something is troubling you, call Samaritans free, 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Further information
For more information about mental health, ways to cope with it and more visit
Sport in Mind sessions
Sport in Mind are a UK based mental health charity who deliver physical activity projects to aid recovery, promote mental wellbeing, improve physical health and empower people to move their lives forward in a positive direction.
Some of the events Sport in Mind host are back up and running:
- Badminton sessions at Kennet Leisure Centre on Wednesdays at 6pm. Starting Wednesday 29th September. Please see this poster for more information.
- Yoga sessions at Northcroft Leisure Centre on Mondays at 2pm. Starting Monday 4th October. Please see this poster for more information.
- Badminton sessions at Theale Green Leisure Centre on Mondays at 5pm. Starting Monday 4th October. Please see this poster for more information.
If you are interested please attend a session and have fun!
Recovery in Mind
Learn how to improve your mental health with Recovery in Mind’s free courses.
View the Recovery in Mind poster for more information.
Website: www.recoveryinmind.org
BEAT
National charity for eating disorders and support
Telephone: 0845 634 1414 (over 25’s)
0845 634 7650 (under 25’s)
Text message support: 07786 201 820
Berkshire Talking Therapies
Problems such as anxiety, depression, stress and phobias are very common. Talking Therapies is a friendly and approachable service which helps people with these problems.
Telephone: 0300 365 2000
East-West-Kids-Connect
East-West Kids-Connect was setup in 1995 by founder Mike Sarson to benefit the mental health and well-being of children, young people, and families through training in meditation and mindfulness techniques.
Website: www.eastwestkidsconnect.org.uk
Heads Together
Heads Together is a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry, which combines a campaign to tackle stigma and change the conversation on mental health with fundraising for a series of innovative new mental health services.
Website: www.headstogether.org.uk
Stress Less Workshops
Run by Talking Therapies Berkshire, the NEW Stress Less workshops will help your patients to understand stress, how it can affect them and learn techniques to help them manage their stress effectively.
Young Minds
We’re leading the fight for a future where all young minds are supported and empowered, whatever the challenges. We’re here to make sure they get the best possible mental health support and have the resilience to overcome life’s difficulties.
Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544
Website: youngminds.org.uk
Teen Mental Health – A Guide for Parents
Your child’s teenage years are an exciting time, but they can be tricky too. With hormones going wild and bigger pressures at school, challenging mood swings are par for the course. With mental ill-health on the rise though, you’ll want to keep watch on whether their moods are normal, or if they need a bit of help.
For more information, see the Teen Mental Health – A Guide for Parents.
The SUN (Service User Network)
The SUN (Service User Network) is an initiative aimed at improving services for people with diagnosed personality disorders and people with no diagnosis who experience difficulties in interpersonal relationships, emotional regulation and/or managing distress.
This service is for adults aged 18 and over who live in, and whose GP is located in, Berkshire. The groups are currently taking place online every day.
For more information please view the Service User Network Member’s Leaflet.
Breathing Space Service (mental health crisis offering short term crisis support)
The Berkshire West Breathing Space service is a safe, welcoming and supportive space for anybody aged over 18 experiencing emotional distress and struggling to cope. Whatever the reason for you feeling distressed or in crisis – they’re there to help you.
Freephone: 0800 002 9091
Website: www.together-uk.org/projects/berkshire-west-breathing-space
Email: breathing-space@together-uk.org
Self-referral Form: www.together-uk.org/berkshire-west-breathing-space-referral
If you are signposting somebody to the service, please ensure you tell them the times of operation (5pm-11pm, Friday to Monday).
No5
No5 offers confidential listening to support children and young people, and those around them, through its free counselling service for those aged 10 to 25 in the Reading area.
Telephone: 0118 901 5668
Text: 07984 357551
Facebook: no5youngpeople
Website: no5.org.uk
Email: info@no5.org.uk
BEAT Eating Disorders
BEAT Eating Disorders is a champion, guide and friend to anyone affected by eating disorders, giving individuals experiencing an eating disorder and their loved ones a place where they feel listened to, supported and empowered.
Helpline: 0808 801 0677
Youthline: 0808 801 0711 (for under 25s)
Facebook: beat.eating.disorders
Twitter: @beated
Website: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Berkshire Children, Young Peoples and Families Services
Providing care and support to children, young people and their families, Berkshire Children, Young Peoples and Families Services offers specialist children’s services, mental health and therapy.
Telephone: 0300 365 1234
Website: cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is an award-winning charity dedicated to preventing male suicide, the single biggest killer of men under the age of 45 in the UK.
Telephone: 0800 58 58 58
Facebook: theCALMzone
Twitter: @theCALMzone
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
MindEd UK
MindEd is a free educational resource on children and young people’s mental health for all adults.
Twitter: @MindEdUK
Website: www.minded.org.uk