Self help information for patients with Mental Health Problems

Mental Health and Social Care Helplines

The toxic combination of social isolation, loneliness, economic hardship, future uncertainty and loss of the usual supports, networks and nourishing activities that sustain us has led to both an increase in the severity of pre-existing mental health conditions and the emergence of new ones.

On top of the ‘lockdown’ impacts of isolation and economic hardship, come the more direct effects of COVID-19 on mental health from fear of illness and health anxiety to recovery and post-traumatic stress and the impact of long covid to the consequences of bereavement.

If patients have a pre-existing mental health condition (e.g. health anxiety, eating disorder, depression, generalised anxiety, panic disorder etc) Covid-19 has made it much worse. But COVID-19 also triggers new mental health problems, and as well as the common problems of depression, anxiety and alcohol/substance misuse we see new cases emerging of OCD, health anxiety and even psychosis.

LOCAL SUPPORT IN SHROPSHIRE

Shropshire MIND– usually operate a drop in service in Shrewsbury and have an outreach service in Ludlow

Due to restrictions under Covid 19, Shropshire Mind’s Daily Drop In service will be closed until further notice. If you require telephone support, please contact them on 01743 368 647.

please follow the link below for more information:

https://www.shropshiremind.org/

IAPT

• IAPT –you can self-refer for counselling and psychology by calling the following number 0300 123 6020.
• This service is based in Shrewsbury but they run a weekly clinic at Ludlow Hospital.
• The following problems respond very well to therapy:
  • Anxiety, with or without low mood. NOS, or specific anxieties such as phobias, anxiety about children, work etc.
  • OCD spectrum symptoms. Checking behaviours, contamination fears and consequent behavioural changes and impacting upon relationships, employment, social life etc.
  • Longer term, more intractable depression/low mood, with strong cognitive element characterised by negative thinking style. With or without fleeting thoughts of self-harm.
  • PTSD. Post-traumatic stress disorder. IAPT have EMDR counsellors who work with post-traumatic distress.

Green Oak Foundation 01743 340880.

Charity which offers private counselling with a donation depending on individual circumstances, sessions now available locally located in Station Drive surgery.

AXIS– Axis is a specialist counselling service in Shrewsbury and Telford, with an outreach in Ludlow on Thursdays.

• • They offer free counselling support for women, men and children over the age of 11 who live in Shropshire/Telford & Wrekin who have suffered the trauma of sexual abuse in childhood, or rape and sexual assault. They also see family members and partners of victims who have suffered sexual trauma.
  • In addition, they have Independent Sexual Violence Advisers who are victim focused support workers and advocates who provide independent practical support and assistance to victims of sexual violence regardless of whether the assault took place recently or in the past.
  • Patients can self refer by calling Shrewsbury office – 01743 357777
  • http://www.axiscounselling.org.uk/contact-us/referrals/

Other useful services

Bereavement group

The Good Grief Cafe usually meets in Ludlow on the first Thursday of the month in the Pea Green Café , Maskell Centre, 3:30pm – 5:00pm. N.B. This is a social, not a counselling group.

Anyone interested in going should contact Jo Shield at Victoria Allen Funeral Services on vafs@btinternet.com or call 01584 879035

Dementia Support Group

For information about help with Dementia Call 01952 250392

Alzheimers Society usually runs a Dementia Support Drop In on the 2nd Monday of every month between 10 am and 1 pm in Ludlow Library.  “We can support both carers and people with dementia. We offer personalised support to help you manage the symptoms of dementia, develop strategies fr day-to-day living, and help with making plans for the future. We can help you to access our services as well as other local services appropriate for your needs.” Come and have a chat to see how we can help you. Alternatively you can contact us on 01952 250392

Alcohol and Substance misuse:

Any patient can by booked in with our inhouse counsellor for review but they can also call for apt Call Single point of contact or 01743 294700.

• Drop in at Hawthorn Centre, Gravel Hill, Ludlow on a Tuesday 10 until 12
• Alcohol self-referral Shropshire Recovery Programme 01743 294700

(Substance misuse referrals sent here via letter)

• Drop in at First Floor, Crown House, St Mary’s Street, Shrewsbury on a Monday through to Friday 9 until 4.
• Hereford (Leominster branch) 01568 600761 Tues to Fri 9-5pm
  • Friday – Walk-in Clinic 8.30– 11.00 am. Appointment only pm
  • Saturday – Appointments only – am.

Domestic Abuse Services

• • • Refuge in Craven arms
    • Call 03003031191 for services in south
    • 24hr helpline west mercia 08007831359

Citizens Advice Bureau

Advice Line: 03444 99 11 00 (Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, until 6pm on a Tuesday)

Help with Form filling, benefits applications etc.

Drop in service no apt needed Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays 10-3pm

Ludlow Youth Centre, Lower Galdeford

Food Bank Based at Baptist Church

We give food parcels to people in crisis situations, who are referred to us. We have volunteers on duty 11a.m. – 1p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday,when agency workers or parcel recipients can collect their parcels.

Pulling Together for Ludlow Call 01584 817 250 for help

Portcullis Surgery is proud to have set up this site in order to help the community act together deal with the coronavirus Covid-19.

Pulling Together Ludlow

Our emphasis is on connecting people who want to help with people who need help. We do not want to duplicate official guidance that is available elsewhere.

We have set up a helpline for those who need help.

We are starting with food deliveries. If you need help, please call this number: 01584 817 250 

Mon-Fri 9 am to 5 pm;   Saturday  and Sunday 9 am to 3 pm. These times may change as the week progresses.

When you call the number, you will be asked to press “0”  (zero) to proceed. We have done this so that we can add more options in the future, if needed.

HELPLINES

Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, these national helplines and support groups can offer expert advice.