As we head towards the end of Mental Health Awareness Week it is good to remember, especially during these difficult times, that it is okay not to be okay. With this in mind, here is a list of some organisations available to help, both nationally and locally in Edinburgh Northern and Leith.
#KindnessMatters #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
Local Edinburgh Northern and Leith Organisations:
Projekt 42
A not-for-profit gym and wellness centre in Leith which focuses on mental health and physical fitness
Email: info@projekt42.co.uk
Website: https://www.projekt42.co.uk/
Edinburgh Crisis Centre
Provides community based emotional and practical support during times of crisis.
Freephone: 0808 801 0414
Email: crisis@edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk
Website: http://www.edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk/wordpress/
Edinburgh Cyrenians
Supporting people excluded from family, home, work or community on their life journey.
Email: admin@cyrenians.scot
Phone: 0131 475 2354
Website: https://cyrenians.scot/
The Junction
An organisation that takes a holistic approach towards young people’s health and wellbeing.
Email: support@the-junction.org
Phone: 0131 553 0570
Text: 07758348850
Website: https://the-junction.org/
Living Well North Edinburgh
A community mental health organisation.
Email: admin@livingwellnorthedinburgh.org.uk
Phone: 0131 343 6375
Website: http://www.livingwellnorthedinburgh.org.uk/
Turning Point Edinburgh
Provides support to people experiencing problems with substance misuse.
Phone: 0131 554 7516
Email: edinburgh@turningpointscotland.com
Website: https://www.turningpointscotland.com/edinburgh/
Stepping Stones North Edinburgh
A voluntary organisation that provides support to young parent families and pregnant women in North Edinburgh area
Email: info@steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk
Website: https://www.steppingstonesnorthedinburgh.co.uk/
Pilton Community Health Project
Working in the Pilton area with a social model of health.
Email: admin@pchp.org.uk
Text: 07513379036
Website: https://pchp.org.uk/
National Mental Health Organisations:
Breathing Space
Breathing Space offers a free, confidential phone and web-based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87
Website: https://breathingspace.scot/
Samaritans
Samaritans offers 24-hour emotional support for anyone struggling to cope.
The Samaritans also provide information on the effects of coronavirus on mental health – https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/if-youre-having-difficult-time/if-youre-worried-about-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak/
Phone: 116 123
Website: samaritans.org
Shout
Shout is volunteer-run and is the UK’s first 24/7 crises text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.
Text: 85258
Website: giveusashout.org
SAMH (Scottish Association of Mental Health)
SAMH has a lot of resources and information on coronavirus and your mental wellbeing. It includes help with anxiety, OCD, issues for older people and young people, benefits, and coping with distressing news coverage.
The SAMH helpline is open from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except on Bank Holidays.
Call: 0344 800 0550
Email: info@samh.org.uk
Website: https://www.samh.org.uk/
Age Scotland
The Age Scotland helpline is a free, confidential phone service for older people, their carers and families in Scotland. The helpline provides information, friendship and advice, is free to call, and available Monday-Friday 9-5pm.
Call: 0800 12 44 222
Email: helpline@agesscotland.org.uk
Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland/
ChildLine Scotland
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. You can contact ChildLine anytime and in these ways; You can phone, send an email, have a 1-2-1 chat, send a message to Ask Sam and you can post messages to the ChildLine message boards.
Call: 0800 11 11
Website: www.childline.org.uk
Young Scot
Young Scot provides relevant and accessible daily digital information on Coronavirus to help ensure young people have all the information they need to make informed decisions and choices during these unsettling times.
Website: www.young.scot
Scottish Women’s Aid
Scottish Women’s Aid has a specific COVID-19 page with resources for women experiencing abuse, children and young people who might feel unsafe at home, Women’s Aid workers, journalists and other frontline staff who have questions about their practice just now.
Website: https://womensaid.scot/covid-19/
Rape Crisis Scotland
In response to COVID-19, Rape Crisis Scotland is exploring how they can make support more accessible. Anyone affected by sexual violence can contact Rape Crisis Scotland by phone, by email, or by text.
Call: 08088 01 03 02
Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
Text: 07537 410027
Website: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/
Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
Call: 0800 027 1234
Email: helpline@sdadfmh@org.uk
Website: sdafmh.org.uk
Relationship Helpline
Free support line providing a safe and confidential space for anyone struggling with their relationship. They provide free relationship counselling if you feel you’d benefit from a bit of extra support. This will either be online or over the phone.
Call: 0808 802 2088
The Helpline is open from 9.00am to 9.00pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9.00am to 4.00pm on Friday.
Scottish Autism Helpline
Call: 01259 222 022
The Helpline is open 8am-8pm, seven days a week.
Scottish Government – Clear Your Head campaign
Highlights practical ways to look after mental health and wellbeing while continuing to stay at home – and signposts sources of help and advice.
Website: www.clearyourhead.scot
Mental Health Foundation:
The Mental Health Foundation recommends some tips on looking after your mental health during lockdown, which can be found on their website.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
