Welcome to our self-help centre.  Here you will find both local health information and NHS content and a selection of tools for health checks.

Mental Health Support

COUNSELLING

Counselling can help you cope with:

• a difficult life event, like a bereavement, a relationship breakdown or work-related stress
• difficult emotions like low self-esteem or anger
• other issues, like sexual identity

Counselling can help you have space to talk about what’s bothering you. It can help you find your own solutions so you can find ways of coping with your problems.  You can self refer for counselling services in Aberdeen. Sessions are offered either face to face or via the telephone. Some organisations offering free counselling within Aberdeen city are below. Follow the links to self-refer.

• Cairns Counselling: https://cairnscounselling.org.uk/
• The Bounds: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/education/research/the-bounds/index.php
• The Foyer: https://www.aberdeenfoyer.com/services/health-and-wellbeing/counselling/
• ACIS: https://www.mha.uk.net/
• CRUSE, for specific support/ counselling relating to bereavement: Home : Cruse Bereavement Care (crusescotland. https://www.crusescotland.org.uk/org.uk)
• For counselling specifically for children and young people: email- office@mhaberdeen.org.uk or call 01224 573892

CRISIS SUPPORT

• Breathing Space: Mon-Thurs 6pm to 2am, Fri-Sun 24 hours - https://www.breathingspace.scot/
• The Samaritans: call 116 123 24 hours. samaritans.org/

SUPPORT FOR SLEEP PROBLEMS, DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a talking therapy that can help you manage your problems by changing the way you think and behave.  It is most commonly used to treat anxiety and depression, but can be useful for other mental and physical health problems.  Unlike some other talking treatments, CBT deals with your current problems, rather than focusing on issues from your past.  It looks for practical ways to improve your state of mind on a daily basis.

You can speak to someone at the practice if you feel you could benefit from a referral for face to face CBT.

Alternatively, there are a range of resources that you can access and work through on your own, all based on a CBT approach.  Some of these are listed below.

• Daylight: an online programme which guides you through interactive exercises to tackle your worries and feelings. These exercises help you learn to relax, change your perspective on anxious thoughts, and address your fears so you can feel more present and in-control

http://www.trydaylight.com/nhs

• Sleepio: an online programme which guides you through sessions to learn a range of cognitive and behavioural techniques that are proven to work. These techniques help establish a healthy sleep pattern by addressing negative thoughts and behaviours, and developing a routine to make falling asleep and staying asleep more automatic and natural.

http://www.sleepio.com/nhs

Useful Websites

• Moodjuice- electronic booklets on a range of mental health conditions: https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/mental-health
• Mood Café- information about a range of mental health related symptoms and conditions: https://www.moodcafe.co.uk/