Mental health and emotional wellbeing

Being a carer can be demanding and challenging, so it's really important to protect your own emotional mental health and wellbeing.

Mental health services

Community Mental Health Team

The Community Mental Health Team is provided by Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The Reading Community Mental Health Team provides specialist support to Reading adults (over 18+ years) with severe and enduring mental health problems (schizophrenia; bi-polar affective disorder; severe depression; psychosis and severe personality disorder) and their carers. This could be in the form of Psychological support, medical support or Care Coordination.

The team accepts self-referrals and referrals from relatives, friends and other agencies - call the Common Point of Entry (CPE) on 0300 365 2000

The Team works closely with Reading Borough Council’s Mental Health Social Care Team.

Reading Borough Council Mental Health Social Care Team

A team of mental health social workers provide support to adults living in Reading with mental health issues who have care and support needs. They support people in the community (whether they have just become ill, have a short-term illness or need on-going support), giving practical help with a person’s social care needs alongside their mental health needs. This might be to help people after they have been discharged from hospital, or help to manage risks, or help with practical issues like housing and financial problems. They also provide general support and advice to people and their carers.

The team accepts self-referrals and referrals from relatives, friends and other agencies - Call 0118 937 3747.

Mental Health Crisis Service

This team provides a 24/7 service to support people having a mental health crisis and who are at risk of harming themselves.

The aim of the service is to provide support to avoid unnecessary hospital admissions. Call 0300 365 99 99.

Talking Therapies

This service provides interventions, therapy, courses, workshops, face-toface therapy and counselling to help with:

  • Depression, anxiety and stress
  • Phobias
  • Panic
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Call 0300 365 2000

Reading Community Outreach Service

The Reading Community Outreach service is for people aged over 18 who are struggling with their mental health. We provide personalised support delivered by Peer Outreach Workers, who have a lived experience of mental health themselves, who bring a genuine understanding and empathetic approach in supporting you to work towards your goals.  

We offer one to one support, as well as group sessions themed around various wellbeing topics. You can choose how you access support – whether that’s in person, online via video chat, or on the phone.  

Part of our support is specifically for people in Reading from the refugee and asylum seeker community. We offer specialist one to one and group support from a Peer Outreach Worker who has first-hand experience of being a refugee.  

Call 0118 966 0240

Visit https://www.together-uk.org/projects/berkshire-west-your-way/

or email: berkshirewestyourway@together-uk.org 

Breathing Space

The Berkshire West Breathing Space service is a safe, welcoming and supportive space for anybody aged over 18 experiencing emotional distress and struggling to cope. Whatever the reason for you feeling distressed or in crisis – we’re here to help you.

We are available to provide support every evening of every week including Bank Holidays from 5.00 pm until 11.00 pm. You can access Breathing Space in person at our central Reading hub, online via video chat, or on the phone.

You can talk to our staff about how you’re feeling and what is concerning you. We’ll listen to you, and help you to develop a plan to stay safe and well, including coping strategies. We’ll also help you to navigate local services and opportunities that can provide further help and support.

Berkshire West Breathing Space is hosted at Ajilon House in Reading town centre and can be accessed by those who are living in Wokingham Borough, Reading and West Berkshire. We are open every evening of every week including Bank Holidays from 5.00 pm until 11.00 pm. You can find us during these times at:

Ajilon House
28 Friar Street
Reading
RG1 1DT

If you are a member of the public looking to access Berkshire West Breathing Space for support please contact us directly by email at breathing-space@together-uk.org or call us on freephone 0800 002 9091.

https://www.together-uk.org/projects/berkshire-west-breathing-space/ 

Sport in Mind

Sport in Mind provide physical activity sessions for adults (18+) experiencing mental health conditions to promote mental wellbeing and enrich lives.

Call 07341267740

E-mail info@sportinmind.org

or visit our website https://www.sportinmind.org/

Compass Recovery College

Compass Recovery College offers a range of courses which aim to help people living with or recovering from mental health problems develop the knowledge and skills they need to manage their lives.

Courses are jointly led by people with their own lived experience of mental health and clinically trained professionals.

The College also offers a programme of peer led social and activity groups which provide opportunities for people with mental health issues to engage in community activities in a safe and supported environment.

Call 0118 937 3945 or email compass.opportunities@reading.gov.uk

Information, advice and support

Samaritans

If you are worried, anxious, depressed or suicidal, the Samaritans offer safe, confidential support so you can talk about your problems, make sense of your situation and understand your options.

Face to face: 59a Cholmeley Road, Reading RG1 3NB. Open 11 am - 10 pm. Call 0118 926 6333

24/7 Helpline: 0116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org/ or email: jo@samaritans.org.uk

Rethink

National charity offering information, advice and support for people with mental illness, their families and carers.  Visit https://www.rethink.org/ or call 0300 5000 927

Mental Health Foundation

National charity providing information and advice on a wide range of mental health issues. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Mind

Information and advice on mental health issues, where to get help, treatments and legal issues. Visit https://www.mind.org.uk/ or call the Infoline 0300 123 3393

Young Minds

The voice for young people’s mental health and wellbeing. Visit https://youngminds.org.uk/ or call the parent helpline 0808 802 5544.

Personal account: Stephen's experience

Please watch the video below. Stephen shares his experience of living with schizophrenia and why he is taking part in NHS mental health research at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

 

Related Advice

Parent Carers Needs Assessment & Support Healthy Lifestyle (Caring in Reading Information Pack)

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Page last reviewed: 19/02/2024

Contact the Team

Family Information Service

fis@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

SEND Local Offer

localoffer@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2 0118 937 3777 OPTION 2

Adult & Carers Support

CSAAdvice.Signposting@reading.gov.uk 0118 937 3747 0118 937 3747
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