Mental health is sometimes described as ’emotional health’ or ‘wellbeing’.

It is an important part of overall health, and can be adversely affected by life events such as the end of a relationship or a bereavement, as well as by mental health problems such as anxiety or depression.

Mental wellbeing means different things to different people, but it is likely to involve feelings of being in control, a degree of satisfaction with life, self-esteem, optimism, and a sense of belonging.

Dealing with a Mental Health Crisis or Emergency

A mental health crisis often means that you no longer feel able to cope with or be in control of your situation. You may feel great emotional distress or anxiety, feel unable to cope with day-to-day life or work, think about suicide or self-harm, or experience hallucinations and hear voices. A crisis can also be the result of an underlying medical condition, such as confusion or delusions caused by an infection, overdose, illicit drugs or intoxication with alcohol. Confusion may also be associated with dementia.

Further information from NHS UK

Mental Health Helplines

Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, click on the link below for details of helplines and support groups that can offer you expert advice.

Mental health services

Depression

Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days. 

We all go through spells of feeling down, but when you’re depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.

Some people still think that depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They are wrong. Depression is a real illness with real symptoms, and it’s not a sign of weakness or something you can ‘snap out of’ by ‘pulling yourself together’.

The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery.

Overview - Clinical depression