The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year.
The theme of 2022’s World Mental Health Day, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority“.
Today, for Blogtober, the theme is “Mental Health”. When your mental health (or the mental health of someone you know) is suffering, it can be hard to know where to get support. The mental health crisis in the UK is growing, and we all know the NHS are struggling and how difficult it can be to access CYPMHS (previously CAMHS). But there IS support out there. There are a range of mental health services available provided by the Health Service, Adult Care and the voluntary sector. In this post we’ll look at mental health services currently available in Pembrokeshire:
- Mental Health Emergencies
- Hywel Dda University Health Board Mental Health Advice Service
- Local Organisations That Offer Help and Advice for People with Mental Health Problems
- Pembrokeshire Mind
- Hafal (covers Wales)
- Men2Men
- Get The Boys A Lift (GTBAL)
- Megans Starr Foundation
- Dezzas Cabin
- Counselling at Point
- Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity
- Read more:
Mental Health Emergencies
Firstly, in case you come across this blog post, in need of urgent help for you or someone you look after then do not hesitate. Phone any of the contacts below for help (this advice applies nationally):
- Your doctor
- NHS Direct
- Your local CMHT
- Your Adult Care department
- The police
- Samaritans crisis line 08457 90 90 90
- C.A.L.L. Mental Health Helpline, 0800 132 737, Text ‘help’ to 81066
- More Urgent Help Resources here: https://www.mindpembrokeshire.org.uk/urgent-help
Hywel Dda University Health Board Mental Health Advice Service
A single point of contact for well-being and mental health for people living in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire launched in June.
Hywel Dda University Health Board is the first health board in Wales to launch a dedicated mental health advice service, offering support for all age groups through the established 111 call line. You can access this service by, phoning 111 and selecting option 2 where you will be put through to a mental health practitioner.
The service is accessible 7 days a week from 9.00am through to 11.30pm, with plans in place to move to 24/7 operating hours later in the year.
Local Organisations That Offer Help and Advice for People with Mental Health Problems
Various organisations specialise in help and advice for people with mental health problems and for their families and friends:
Pembrokeshire Mind
(covers Pembrokeshire. See Mind to find your nearest Local Mind)
A Mental Health Charity supporting the people of Pembrokeshire (read their backstory here).
They offer a number of mental health services including resource centres in Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock (more info below), drop-in sessions for 11-18 years olds, Mums Matter sessions and a Roots to Recovery Outdoor Project (Nature Therapy). Please visit their website to see a full list of services.
Mind Haverfordwest Resource Centre
Open 365 days a year in Haverfordwest. 10-1pm
For anyone looking for mental health support.
Mental health drop-in and 1:1 appointments for information, advice and guidance.
Open every day for everyone.
Mind Evening Support
From 5pm-2am Friday, Saturday & Sunday.
No appointment needed!
The Sanctuary is there for anyone fearing a deterioration in their mental health.
Mind can support with:
- Stress and/or Anxiety
- Low Mood
- Financial Worries
- Isolation
- Family or Relationship Worries
Hafal (covers Wales)
Hafal is a Member-led Charity supporting people with mental health problems – with a special emphasis on those with a serious mental illness – and their carers and families. They also support others with a range of disabilities and their carers and families.
Click here to see the mental health services they provide in Pembrokeshire, from drop-in centres to supported accommodation: https://www.hafal.org/in-your-area/pembrokeshire
Men2Men
men2men is a Hywel Dda Health Board seed-funded unique service for men, led by men. They engage men around Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigionshire to set up small, activity groups to draw in local men.
Such shared activities can be fun and enable men to connect with others, generating a sense of belonging, fellowship and a space in which they may feel comfortable talking about how they really are.
The Pembrokeshire Men’s Hub weekly schedule, how it stands, is:
Wednesdays 11.30 -12.30 Men’s Group at Pembrokeshire Mind – 2 Perrots Road, Haverfordwest
Wednesdays 13.00 – 14.00 Men’s Talking Circle at the V.C. Gallery events building – 30 High St, Haverfordwest
Wednesdays 16.30 – 18.00 Men’s Talking Circle at HaverHub – The Old Post Office, 12 Quay St, Haverfordwest
Thursdays 14.00 – 16.00 Haverfordwest Men’s Shed – Pembrokeshire FRAME – Old Hakin Rd, Haverfordwest
Thursdays 18.00 – 20.00 Men’s Music Group – Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre, Church Rd, Hubberston, Milford Haven
Fridays 14.00 – 16.00 Men’s Music Group – Hubberston and Hakin Community Centre, Church Rd, Hubberston, Milford Haven
And from the 2nd of September running every Friday will be a Men’s Talking Circle at the Torch Theatre 18.00 – 19.00 – The Torch Theatre Milford Haven
Contact Charles on 07719880456 to book a place
Get The Boys A Lift (GTBAL)
GTBAL is a not-for-profit organisation that provides the people of West Wales with a free, award-winning, mental health support service funded by coffee, clothing and community. Since they opened their doors in 2019, their drop-in service has proved over 250 people with free and easy support, free of waiting lists.
Megans Starr Foundation
After 14 year old Megan tragically took her own life in 2017 after a silent battle with cyber-bullying, her mum, Nicola set up Megans Starr Foundation. They offer FREE professional counselling & peer support alongside bullying advice and have recently opened up a Community Coffee House in Milford Haven. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for drop-in times and events.
Dezzas Cabin
Dezza’s is a local not-for-profit charity who have been formed to support vulnerable people within the community who may be suffering with poor Mental Health or any other difficulties.
Keep an eye on their Facebook page for drop-ins and events.
Counselling at Point
In partnership with Area 43, POINT offer a professional confidential counselling service at their Printworks building in Fishguard. The counselling is provided by a qualified experienced counsellor with many years of experience of counselling young people. It is free of charge to young people aged 10-25. They can offer face-to-face counselling at the centre or digital counselling via video conferencing, email or text depending on what is preferred.
Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity
Sandy Bear Children’s Bereavement Charity is dedicated to improving and strengthening the emotional health and well-being of young people aged 0-18 (and their families), who have experienced the death of a loved one. They aim to reduce emotional difficulties in childhood and the prevalence of mental illness in later life that can result in a decreased quality of life, poorer educational attainment, social and healthy problems and increased vulnerability. They achieve this by working closely with children, young people and families to support them through their grief, and by educating relevant professionals to know what to do when they are dealing with bereavement. They are only able to provide support face-to-face in Pembrokeshire, however, we can provide advice & signposting where appropriate on a larger scale.
Please let me know of any more Mental Health Charities/Services in Pembrokeshire and I’ll add to this list.
It is great to share where you can get support. Sadly this is lacking in my area, My daughter saw our GP yesterday regarding her mental health and was told it could be a wait. Luckily she is also talking to her colllege as well
Author
Yes, this is one of the reasons I write this. As you know, it’s hard to even get into a GP and if you do, it is a wait. 🙁 Charities are trying so hard to bridge a gap. But more desperately needs to be done xxx
What a great list of places to get health and support. x
Author
Thanks xxx
Love that you’ve gathered mental health resources in this post. Really valuable information for people.
Author
Thanks xxx
Thank you for sharing some places of support for people suffering with mental health. I know my MH makes me feel so lonely sometimes, so this will help someone in need.
Author
Bless you. Since Covid, I’ve seen an increase in community activities to try and help ease the loneliness due to MH but sometimes it’s hard to take the first step and go to these because of MH, isn’t it? It really is a complex problem xxx
What a really useful post, not only for those in Pembrokeshire. It’s always handy to have a list of resources and numbers to call when in times of crisis.
Author
Yes, more support is definitely needed everywhere at the moment xxx
So very useful, thank you for sharing