How to stay well

In this section:

Most people suffer from stress, low mood, anxiety or a lack of confidence at some time in their life. Taking steps to maintain and improve your mental health can have a positive impact on your general health and wellbeing.

This is a hard time for everyone and it’s normal to feel down sometimes. There are many things you can do to support your wellbeing.

There is useful advice at www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

Mental Health Matters

Mental Health Matters provides support on behalf of the Council.  They offer one-to-one support and group sessions, seven days a week, from community locations in north, central and south Solihull.

You can find out more by:

The local NHS offers emotional help, guidance and reassurance to people in Birmingham and Solihull who may be finding the current situation we are living with overwhelming. People can phone the following helplines:

0-19 year olds in Solihull
Monday- Friday (8am-8pm): 0121 301 2750
Weekends and evenings (8pm-8am): 0121 301 5500

11-25 year olds in Solihull - Counselling and support 24/7: www.kooth.com

Over 18s in Birmingham and Solihull - 7 days a week (9am-11pm): 0121 262 3555

Key workers - 7 days a week (9am-11pm): 0121 633 1217

Find out more at NHS Birmingham and Solihull.

Solihull Mind

Solihull Mind provide a number of services for carers requiring emotional support.

You can contact Solihull Mind by:

Alternatively if you want to see someone in person you can pop into Solihull Mind’s evening Crisis Café at 14-16 Faulkner Road, B92 8SY. The service is open every day of the week, including weekends, from 6.00pm until 11.00pm and no appointment is needed.

NHS counselling and psychological services

Counselling and other talking therapies are accessible on the NHS.

In Solihull, therapies are provided by the Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service.

You can be referred to IAPT by your GP or refer yourself by:

If you are feeling really anxious, a relaxation exercise can help restore some calm.

If things feel really tough, Samaritans can listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that's troubling you. Call free on 116 123 or visit their website.

Solihull Integrated Addiction Services (SIAS)

If you need support or advice around alcohol or substance misuse, please contact the SIAS in confidence on 0121 301 4141 or visit www.sias-solihull.org.uk.

West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic

The West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic provides specialist addiction therapy, treatment and recovery to people affected by gambling addiction and gambling problems across Stoke, Staffordshire, Telford and Wrekin.

A bereavement helpline is available and includes support for people bereaved by suicide. Please call 0121 687 8010.

The opening hours for the telephone support are:

  • Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 9.00am to 5.00pm
  • Tuesday, Thursday: 9.00am to 8.00pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 12.00pm to 5.00pm

The Birmingham and Solihull NHS website has more information. 

While anyone can be affected by loneliness, some groups are more at risk such as teenagers, young adults, single parents, people with a disability and older people.

Many people often find it difficult to ask for help and support, or struggle with finding connections. Here are some ways to manage loneliness, connect with others or simply change our own outlook and behaviours.

If you are feeling lonely or isolated, this can also lead to low mood, but there are services that can offer regular chats on the telephone. One of these is the Chatterbox Action Against Loneliness, a free telephone befriending for older people who enjoy a chat.

Consider joining a group or class that focuses on something you enjoy; you could ask to go along and just watch first if you're feeling nervous

Find out what support is available in your neighbourhood

Our Community Hubs can connect you with a range of services, groups and activities to meet your needs.

Community Connectors and Social Prescribers can also help to connect you with opportunities to improve your health and wellbeing more broadly. You can talk to your GP, or any healthcare professional about how to access these services in your local area.  If you are a Solihull resident, you can self refer here.