To find your local NHS mental health service click here.

Most people will go through periods of their life where their mental health is not good. It is normal for people to get sad or anxious as life can be very stressful sometimes. However, if you find yourself feeling like this all or most of the time then you may have a mental health problem and should seek help. This can be in the form of finding someone to talk to such as a counselor or even a close friend. This can also be in the form of medical attention. Here are some steps that you should try if you need some support with your mental health:

1. Speak to your local GP. Your GP should be able to tell you what local mental health services are available to you and may prescribe you medication that can help alleviate symptoms. 
2. Speak to a counselor or therapist. Counselors and therapists are trained to help you understand your mental health and can teach you how to handle your emotions. This does not have to be face-to-face as there is online counselling, phone counselling, text counselling and even chat bots.
3. Speak to a trusted friend or family member. The saying "a problem shared is a problem halved" is very true. Keeping your mental health problems a secret can cause even more stress on you so make sure to talk to people you trust about it. Letting someone know that you are struggling is also an important way to keep you safe. If you are suffering from severe mental health issues you may be a risk to yourself and letting someone know you are going through this will ensure that someone checks up on you.

If you have been a victim of traumatic events which affect your mental health there are lots of specialized services available such as:

1. Bereavement care
2. Rape crisis centers and hotlines
3. Domestic abuse 
4. Homelessness 
5. Debt and financial problems
6. Hate crimes or discrimination 
7. Alcohol and substance abuse