Beating the blues
If you are alone and it's getting you down, and find Christmas particularly difficult, then there are people who can offer emotional support - ranging from counselling and therapy schemes to advice and information help-lines. Please don't ever be afraid to ask for help, there is someone out there who will listen to you.
Third Age Counselling
Third Age Counselling offer a safe and supportive environment in which to explore difficult or complex thoughts and feelings. Together with a skilled counsellor you can reflect on how to respond to events in your life, and on how to relate to the people in your life.
Some issues which commonly bring people to therapy include:-
- Bereavement and loss
- Moving on from the past
- Relationship difficulties
- Experiences of growing older
- Failing health or disability
Third Age Counselling currently offer support at different venues around our two boroughs. Tel 07913 610 734
NHS Psychological Services
You can get access to local NHS psychological services through your GP (family doctor) or practice nurse. Your local NHS psychological therapies service provides therapy and mental health services for people with mild to moderate mental health problems, including depression and anxiety, as well as feelings related to change, bereavement, and personal and family problems.
Details for your local services are:-
- Westminster (CNWL Talking Therapies Service) Tel: 030 3333 0000
- Kensington and Chelsea (Community Living Well Psychological Therapies Service) Tel: 0203 317 4200
Silver Line
Silverline is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
MIND
The MIND website offers a wide range of information and advice about depression and how to get help.
Community Living Well
Community Living Well provides a peer support service with a social network for anyone affected by depression and feelings of isolation. If you would like to become a member and join the group for their events, you can do this online, phone 020 3317 4200.
The CNWL NHS Trust’s Single Point of Access Crisis Line
Tel: 0800 0234 650 – open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Tel: 020 3906 7676 – open from 9am to 9pm 7-days a week - see their website
Available to adults over 18 living in Westminster and people registered with a GP in the area.
Abbey Centre telephone wellbeing for BME residents
Emotional support, advocacy and signposting with trained wellbeing bilingual session workers supporting in Arabic, Bengali, Spanish and English. Tel: 07701 351 224 , email: tania.faraj@theabbeycentre.org.uk
London Chinese Community Centre
Cantonese / Mandarin speaking phone consultations. tel 07464-890902 for an appointment, M-F 9am-5pm.
The Samaritans
If you're feeling down, or something is troubling you, then the Samaritans are at the end of a phone line, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Tel: 0330 094 5717 or free phone 116 123
You might also find it useful to have a look at our information pages on Depression and 10 top tips for good mental health.