Taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. Women are three times more likely to experience common mental health problems, as things like your period, pregnancy, having a baby, and menopause can all affect your mental health. Help and support is available across Dorset.
Talking to your doctor
If you are struggling with your mental health, talk to your doctor in the first instance.
Mind UK has useful information about preparing to talk to your GP.
Mental health support in Dorset
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis in Dorset there is a 24/7 helpline called Connection 0800 652 0190. Dorset Healthcare has information on crisis and walk-in support.
The Retreat
Community Front Rooms
Community Front Rooms (CFRs) are open to anyone over 18 who needs face-to-face support. They are staffed by mental health professionals and peer specialists (people with personal experience of mental health issues), and are there for you if you are struggling to cope and feel you are approaching a crisis point.
Access Wellbeing
Access Wellbeing is a newer development of Wellbeing Hubs opening around Dorset where people are invited to drop in to discuss issues which are of concern to them. The first three hubs are open and provide support for mental health and wellbeing in Poole, Boscombe and Weymouth.
Urgent mental health support
If your or someone else’s life is in danger, call 999 immediately.
If you are struggling now, or if you are worried about someone else, there are several places you can go to get support:
Call NHS Connection, Dorset’s 24/7 mental health helpline, on 0800 652 0190
- Call Samaritans on 116 123
- Text SHOUT to 85258
Long-term or specialist mental health support in Dorset
Adults
Adult community mental health teams in Dorset support adults aged 18-65 with care, advice and information about significant mental health problems like schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, eating disorders and personality disorders. You must be over 18 and a referral from your doctor or other health professional to use this service.
Older people’s community mental health teams support older people with mental health problems like depression, anxiety and dementia to live safely at home and prevent unnecessary admissions to hospital. You will need a doctor or other health professional to refer you to this team.
Young people
Young people aged between 16 and 17 can refer themselves to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) by calling Connection on 0800 652 0190 or visiting the CAMHS website.
Children under 16 will require a referral to the CAMHS team from a doctor or other health professional.
