Do not suffer in silence: help available for mental health issues

People in Oldham suffering from mental health issues this winter are urged to reach out for help and support from the NHS.

Winter can be a challenging time for many of us. Shorter days and longer nights can affect our mood, whilst colder weather often brings more coughs, colds, and flu. Add to that the financial and social expectations of the festive season, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or run down. 

It’s so important to look after your mental health during these months, and to reach out for support if you need it. 

Read on for some practical hints and tips to help you stay well this winter; alongside information about the range of support services available across Greater Manchester, including over bank holidays, evenings and weekends.   

Mental health clinicians at Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust have shared some top tips to help you keep the winter blues at bay: 

Dr Jayne Taylor, Consultant Clinical Psychologist added: “Winter can feel isolating, particularly when darker evenings and cold weather make it tempting to withdraw from others. However, staying connected - even in small ways - is one of the most protective things we can do for our mental health. 

“I'd encourage people to be intentional about maintaining contact with others, whether that's a phone call, a message, or meeting for a walk. Physical activity and time outdoors, even in winter, can genuinely help our mood. And if you're finding things difficult, please reach out for support - whether that's to someone you trust or to professional services. Asking for support from others can make a real difference.” 

For further information and resources to support your wellbeing this winter, visit feel well this winter resources. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available 

NHS 111 Mental Health 

If you need urgent mental health support, for example if you feel mentally unsafe or severely distressed, you can quickly and easily access support by calling NHS 111 and select mental health option 2. It’s available for all ages, 24/7, free of charge and you can call for yourself or someone else. 

NHS 111 is a national service, however, when you call NHS 111 and select mental health option 2, you’ll be connected to your local team. A trained mental health practitioner will listen and help you get the urgent support you need. 

With your permission, the mental health practitioner can offer advice over the phone and put you in contact with the best services to meet your needs. 

You can also access NHS 111 Mental Health online at: https://111.nhs.uk/triage/check-your-mental-health-symptoms. 

Other helplines 

These free helplines are there to help when you're feeling down or desperate. Unless it says otherwise, they're open 24 hours a day, every day. 

You can also call these helplines for advice if you're worried about someone else. 

Samaritans (for everyone) - Call 116 123 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day 

Papyrus (prevention of young suicide HOPELINE247) - Call 0800 068 41 41 

Childline (for children and young people under 19) - Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill 

SOS Silence of Suicide (for everyone) - Call 0300 1020 505 – 4pm to midnight every day. 

Mind - 0300 123 3393 

Mood Swings - 0161 832 3736 

Pensioner’s Link (Over 50’s) - 01942 261 753 

Rethink - 0300 5000 927 

SANEline - 0300 304 7000 

Silverline - 0800 470 8090 

Support Line - 01708 765 200  

The Mix (for people under 25) - 0808 808 4994 

The Old Courts Wigan - 01942 48901 

Age UK - 0800 678 1602 

Community Spaces 

Community spaces across Greater Manchester – sometimes known as ‘Crisis Cafés’ or ‘Listening Lounges’ - offer a safe, comfortable, and confidential environment for anyone over the age of 18, who is feeling low, anxious, struggling with negative thoughts, or just wants to talk to someone during evenings, weekends and bank holidays. 

Locations, opening times, and contact details for the community spaces in Oldham are: 

Oldham Listening Space 

Address: 19 to 25 Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1HA 

Contact number: 0161 330 9223 

Opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (5pm to 8pm), Wednesday (9am to 3pm), and Saturday (10am to 2pm) 

How to access: Walk in or telephone. 

Other mental health and wellbeing support 

To find out more about the support available in your area, you can speak with your GP, or visit Get to know where to go for mental health support. 

If you are currently under an NHS mental health service and need support, you are advised to speak to your key worker / care co-ordinator in the first instance. 

Other health support 

For further information about how to access physical health and dentistry services over the festive period, visit  Christmas health advice. 

In an emergency 

In emergency situations where there’s an immediate risk to life, or you need urgent physical care, you should contact 999 or go to A&E.