Links for your health and wellbeing
Organisations and information sources available for a variety of mental health and wellbeing topics.
See also: Links for pregnancy and after birth
Advocacy and mediation
Ace Anglia - An independent Suffolk based advocacy service for anyone who requires it
Suffolk Family Carers - Support and advice for unpaid family carers in Suffolk
Suffolk User Forum - Operating through the east and west of Suffolk helping to shape the mental health services
Alcohol and drug dependency
Al-anon - National organisation with local groups offering support for family members affected by alcoholism
Alcoholics Anonymous - National organisation providing information and support groups for those recovering from alcoholism
Alcoholics Anonymous in Suffolk - Local support groups and information for those recovering from alcoholism
Drinkaware - Hints and tips on managing alcohol intake and fact sheets
DrinkCoach - Online coaching and resources to help manage alcohol intake
Turning Point - Support and resources on drugs, alcohol, mental health, sexual health and more
Healthy Suffolk: Substance misuse - Information and contact numbers for services across Suffolk
Mental Health Foundation: Drugs and mental health - Fact sheet on how substance misuse has a negative impact on your mental and physical wellbeing
Anxiety
NHS Choices - Why do you feel anxious and panicky? Video and information to help
Rethink - What are anxiety disorders and how can they be treated
Mind (National) - Downloadable fact sheet on anxiety and panic attacks
Ask for help
NHS Choices - Your GP contact details and local NHS services can be found here
Samaritans - There for you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Suffolk Children and Young People's Emotional Wellbeing Hub Service - A multi-agency team offering a central point of contact for parents, carers, and professionals to make a referral or get advice if they are concerned about the wellbeing and mental health of a child or young person in East or West Suffolk.
Bereavement
Cruse Bereavement Care - Offering support you need after losing someone you care about
Winston's Wish - Support for those who are caring for bereaved children
Age UK - Practical support and advice on bereavement
Hope After Suicide Loss (HOPE) - National helpline and groups in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Norfolk
Bipolar disorder
Mental Health Foundation - Information on what Bipolar is and how it can be treated
Royal College of Psychiatrists - Printable leaflet on medications prescribed to help mood swings
BBC - Printable 24-page booklet on Bipolar with preface by Stephen Fry
Consultation
Healthwatch Suffolk - Have your say about local health services in Suffolk
Counselling and online therapy
NHS Choices - The benefits of talking therapy explained
Counselling Directory - Suffolk based counsellors, contact details and what services they charge
Cruse bereavement care - Organisation to help with grief
Living Life to the Full - UK online based therapy
PTSD Resolution - Counselling for veterans and their families
Suffolk Mind - Healthy Minds counselling services information
Wellbeing Suffolk - Counselling and support at GP surgeries and community centres
Dementia
Alzheimer's Society - What is dementia?
Depression
Rethink - Information on symptoms, types, and possible causes and treatments for depression.
Royal College of Psychiatrists leaflets - Printable leaflet for those who have depression or if you are supporting someone with depression
Samaritans - Someone to talk to if you are troubled, available 24/7
NHS Choices: Postnatal Depression - Information and advice about postnatal depression
Employment
Job Centre Plus - How to contact your local JobCentre and benefits information
Realise Futures - Employment advisor details, with help from job searching to employment skills
Shaw Trust - Specialist help and support to find work
Papworth - Can help you find the job that’s right for you
Ultimate Guide to Building a CV - Step by step guide to writing a CV
Epilepsy
Epilepsy Society - National charity with practical information on the condition, helpline and medical ID cards/jewellery
NHS Choices - Further information on epilepsy and medication
Epilepsy Action Support Group - Support group for Suffolk
Hallucinations and voice hearing
Hearing voices network - An organisation committed to help people who hear voices
NHS Choices - Advice on hearing voices and hallucinations
Gambling
NHS Choices - Advice and tips for those struggling with problem gambling and worried relatives/friends
Breakeven - Free counselling and support for anyone affected by problem gambling
Local organisations' websites
Community Action Suffolk - Helping voluntary organisations across Suffolk
Inside Out Arts - Locally based organisation that helps recovery through art and full details on workshops and contacts
OneLife Suffolk - Valuable practical advice, guidance and courses to improve your physical wellbeing
Lofty Heights - Loft clearing and decluttering service in Suffolk to improve wellbeing
Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust - Find out about inpatient and community services
The Phoenix Project Club - Supportive group that meets in Ipswich with details on how to get in touch
SENDIASS - Guides for children, young people and their parents about Special Educational Needs (SEN) from Suffolk County Council
Suffolk Care Services Directory - an independent directory of information on social care in Suffolk, including an introduction to what care services are on offer locally as well as information on paying for care, staying independent, and lists of care providers in the county.
Suffolk Infolink - Community based database from Suffolk County Council
Suffolk Mind - Website for mental health charity with opportunities to improve mental wellbeing in Suffolk
Money and debt
Citizens' Advice Bureau - Advice for your day to day civic matters and find your local branch
Money Advice Service - Free impartial money advice
Gov.uk - A to Z of benefit entitlements
Ipswich Housing Action Group - Housing and money advice
National organisations
Mental Health Foundation - Hundreds of free downloadable resources and fact sheets
Mind - Advice and guidance from national charity with up to date campaign news and facts about living with mental ill health
Rethink - Information and guidance, local support groups and telephone support both locally and nationally
Samaritans - Available 24 hours, 7 days a week
Saneline - National campaigning charity, phone helpline (available 1800-2300), information and guidance
Parents and carers
Parents and Carers Together (PACT) - Support for parents and carers of children and young people with mental health issues of any kind. See also: PACT Facebook page; PACT Twitter feed
Suffolk Family Carers - support for family carers of all ages
Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) resources:
General medical conditions - learn about general medical conditions that affect children and young people
Medicines information - information on medicines, how they are given, and possible side effects
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) - symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments
Personality disorder
Mental Health Foundation - Defines personality disorders and how they will affect you
Royal College of Psychiatrists - How does it feel to have a personality disorder? How many different types are there?
Suffolk Mind Waves Support Group - Local support group in the east and west of Suffolk
Psychosis
NHS Choices - Defines the main symptoms of psychosis
Rethink - Symptoms, related conditions, and possible causes and treatments for psychosis
Schizophrenia
NHS Choices - What schizophrenia is and how it can be treated
Rethink - Information and telephone support with downloadable fact sheets
Sane - Downloadable fact sheet
Self-harm
Harmless - A user led support service for people who self-harm and for those affected by self-harm
Mind - Downloadable information on what self harm is
Sane - Free download for people who self-harm or if you are concerned about someone that does
Samaritans - Someone to talk to if you are troubled, available 24/7
Sexual health
Terrence Higgins Trust - Sexual health information, advice and support services including rapid HIV testing and long term condition management
Stress
Wellbeing Suffolk - Local support and resources to help manage stress
Combat Stress - Mental health support for British armed forces veterans
NHS Choices - Defines post-traumatic stress disorder
NHS Choices - For those struggling with stress
Mind - Learn how to manage stress
Suicide prevention and family support
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust - Telephone number and access to mental health services to direct you to the support you need
Samaritans - If something's troubling you, then get in touch. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
Mental Health Foundation - Information and guidance regarding suicide prevention
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) - Offering support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via a helpline and website
Hope After Suicide Loss - National helpline and local groups in Ipswich, Bury St Edmunds, Lowestoft and Norfolk that provide support for those affected by suicide
Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust - Local suicide prevention strategy on providing care and support
Victim support
Norfolk & Suffolk Victim Care - support for victims and witnesses of crime
Young people
Suffolk InfoLink Emotional Wellbeing Gateway - For parents concerned about the emotional wellbeing and mental health of a child or young person aged 0-25 years.
4YP (Suffolk Young People's Health Project) - Provides and coordinates support to improve the social, emotional and physical health of young people in Suffolk (aged 12-25). Confidential online chat available with a 4YP expert also available.
The Source - Offers young people in Suffolk information, advice and support on health, work, training, relationships and more.
Healthwatch - Latest information report on Children and Young people’s mental health in Suffolk and extensive list of organisations for support and information
The Mix - Support service for young people. Visit the site for information and advice or have a confidential chat over the phone or online.