Here’s where you can find mental health support in Southampton

This Saturday marked World Mental Health Day, and for many students depression and anxiety can be an uphill battle. Whether it’s being away from home, loneliness and isolation, or even just stress from the workload – help is available. This article covers both national and local services available to you and how to access them.

University of Southampton: Enabling Services

The Enabling services at UoS can provide support both short term and long term. The University Counselling Service can provide weekly sessions, whereas First Support deal with immediate issues, such as crisis, bereavement and harassment. The Enabling Services also provide self-help resources and can liaise with your personal academic tutor to make sure they are providing the correct help and may refer you for extenuating circumstances if necessary.

Enabling Services Email: [email protected]

First Support Email: [email protected]

Website: Enabling Services Mental Health

Solent University: Access Solent

Access Solent provide assistance for students at Solent with disabilities – which can include mental health declarations. The Therapy and Mental Health Team provide counselling, hypnotherapy and coping skills to students, and can contact tutors to make special arrangements if necessary. They also signpost to resources outside of the university, and self-help methods.

Email: [email protected]

Information and Referral Form: Mental Health Support Solent

Samaritans

Samaritans is potentially the most well known service in the UK outside of the NHS. They are a group of volunteers who confidentially listen to and support people in a variety of situations – from bad day, to full crisis. Few people know, however, that there is a branch on London Road opposite the Law Courts. This gives Southampton residents an option of face-to-face contact if you are uncomfortable with phone calls. Contacting the Samaritans is completely free from any phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week – and the number will not show up on your phone bill.

The Samaritans have just launched a self-help app to help people manage their emotions in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Phone Number: 116 123

Email: [email protected] (response time 24 hours)

Both University of Southampton and Solent University actively recommend using Samaritans as a form of immediate support.

SHOUT

SHOUT is a service run by the Crisis Text Line and allows people to contact a volunteer via text message. It works similar to Samaritans, but is more discreet and accessible to people with anxiety around phone calls. They provide resources to help you develop new coping skills and make positive changes. It is completely free to use and their website has informational videos with tips for things like mindfulness.

Phone Number: Text “SHOUT” to 85258

Website: giveusashout.org

No Limits

No Limits is an advice centre for young people under the age of 26, located behind the Bargate. They have a range of services and self-help resources available, including counselling and links to accommodation and financial support. There are also support groups for LGBT+ young people, and those who may be experiencing issues with drugs and alcohol. No Limits are open Monday-Saturday, with extended opening hours on Thursdays – and have Web Chat facility available in those times.

Phone Number: 02380 244 244

Email: [email protected]

Website: nolimitshelp.org.uk

Their opening hours can be found here.

The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse is a facility supported by Solent Mind for people in crisis in the Southampton City Area. This covers all halls for both universities. It is located in Shirley within walking distance of Southampton Central train station. The hub provides help for people over the age of 18 who are struggling and need immediate short term support between 4:30 pm and midnight.

The physical location is temporarily closed, however, a virtual space has been set up with Solent Mind’s text line.

Phone Number: Text “Lighthouse” plus your postcode to 07451276010.

Information: Southern Health

Your GP

Loads of students arriving in Southampton don’t register with a local GP because they don’t see themselves getting ill other than Freshers’ Flu. However, a local GP is a valuable resource should you start struggling with your mental health. They can signpost you in the right direction for different services, make referrals, and if necessary prescribe medication. They are also really good listeners and can suggest lifestyle changes that may make your mood improve.

You can use this website to find your nearest surgery.

Steps 2 Wellbeing and iTalk

Steps 2 Wellbeing (for City Centre including Shirley and Bitterne) and iTalk (for the rest of Hampshire) are counselling services run by the NHS to help combat depression, anxiety and stress. They are free of charge for anybody over the age of 16 that is registered with a City Centre/Hampshire GP. You can be referred to these services by your GP or you can make a self-referral using their online forms or telephone numbers. If you then meet their criteria, you will be asked to complete an assessment over the phone that takes around 45 minutes.

S2W Website: steps2wellbeing.co.uk

S2W Phone: 0800 612 7000

iTalk Website: italk.org.uk

iTalk Phone: 02380 383 920

111 and the Mental Health Triage Team

111 is a 24/7 NHS contact number for people who think they need medical support. If you ring 111 and ask to speak to the Mental Health Triage Team you will be put through to an advisor. They have access to the range of mental health services throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and can also provide brief psychological support for people in crisis.

999/A&E

In an emergency please ring 999 or get someone to take you to A&E.

Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org to find details of your nearest branch, where you can talk to one of our trained volunteers face to face.

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