Time to Talk Day

Today (February 6th) is Time to Talk Day which is all about having the nation’s biggest mental health conversation.

It is a day for friends, families and colleagues to come together to talk, listen and change lives.

Dr Laura James, lead GP for mental health at Notts said it is important to remember that a conversation can be immensely powerful for someone who is struggling with their mental health. 

“We want to prevent mental ill health and promote positive mental wellbeing so Time to Talk Day is a great opportunity to take a positive step forward and talk about how you’re feeling,” she said. “The more conversations we have, the better life is for everyone.

“Talking about mental health isn’t always easy, and sometimes it’s really difficult to say how we really feel. But a conversation does have the power to changes lives.”

And Dr James urged anyone with mental health concerns or worries to visit the new NottAlone website.

She said: “In Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, we are fortunate to have the NottAlone website which offers mental health support and signposting to anyone of any age – whether it’s for you as an individual or if you need information for someone you care about.

“NottAlone is here to provide guidance and information about a range of topics, from anger to isolation, and organisations which might be able to help.”

If you, or someone you know is in a mental crisis help is available from:

• 111 option 2

• Crisis Sanctuaries across Nottinghamshire on 0330 822 4100 or visit www.nottinghamshirecrisissanctuaries.tv

• or Text SHOUT to 85258.

To find out more, visit www.nottalone.org.uk

You are not alone: mental health support in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire over the festive period

Christmas is usually a time of fun and festivity for most people – a time to celebrate with family and friends and take a break.

But for some people the holidays will be different, and this could have a negative impact on their mental health. There are lots of things you can do to self-manage your mental health and there’s lots of support and advice available locally and online.

Dr Laura James, a GP and Mental Health Clinical Lead at NHS Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said simple self-help steps can be beneficial.

“There are things you can do yourself to reduce feelings of anxiety and improve your mental wellbeing, such as regular exercise and getting enough sleep,” she said. “Eating well and staying hydrated as well as setting goals and priorities can all contribute to better mental health.

“And it’s important to know there is always someone to talk to and that you can ask for help when you need to.”

There are a range of services to support people across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, complemented by other third sector and local authority services.

NottAlone website

NottAlone is here to support people of all ages in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to access local, tailored mental health support and advice. Visit NottAlone.org.uk to find helpful articles and information on mental health topics that are important to you, as well as links to local services which can help for free if you need more support.

Talking therapies

Across Nottinghamshire, people aged 18 and over can access the Talking Therapies services, which can help you if you’re suffering with issues like depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and stress. You can contact the services directly or speak to your GP. Find out more here: Nottinghamshire Talking Therapies or by calling 0333 188 1060.

In a crisis
If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, are feeling overwhelmed or are having suicidal thoughts, you can call NHS 111 and choose option 2 for mental health.

Crisis sanctuaries

Nottinghamshire Crisis Sanctuaries can help you with support, information and guidance if you are over 18 years old and experiencing mental health issues or in a mental health crisis.

They are available across a number of locations in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. You can just drop in to one of the sanctuaries, please see the website for days and locations. Or the team is ready to listen and waiting to hear from you on 0330 822 4100.

Children and young people

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (or CAMHS) are for people up to 18 years old. You can find out more about CAMHS here: www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/camhs

BeUNotts  offers free, accessible, and convenient mental health and emotional support for anyone living in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire apart from those living in Bassetlaw.  Bassetlaw children and young people can access Kooth, who provide support for children and young people aged 10-25 who want to talk to a mental health professional online, anonymously and for free. You can register directly through: www.kooth.com

TalkZone also offers free, confidential mental health support and counselling for children and young people in Bassetlaw aged 11-25. You can visit them online or contact them by calling 01909 530943.

Kazia Foster, Deputy Director, Mental Health Care Group, Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “For many people Christmas is a joyful time of the year but for some it can be really difficult.”

“Some people may feel under pressure to create the ‘perfect’ Christmas or some may feel increasingly isolated at this time of year. There can be any number of reasons why you may struggle with your mental health and wellbeing. It’s important to know there is always someone to talk to and that you can ask for help when you need to – you’re not alone, your local health and care services are here for you.”

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NottAlone launches for everyone on World Mental Health Day

This World Mental Health Day, Thursday 10 October, a brand-new website has launched to help support residents of Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with their mental health.

The aptly named ‘NottAlone’ aims to connect local people with free mental health support services, as well as offering advice and guidance on a range of mental health topics.

World Mental Health Day was chosen as the date to officially launch the new website NottAlone.org.uk – with a special celebration event taking place at the Central Library in Nottingham this evening.

The free event will include music from local artists, spoken word poetry, information to learn more about NottAlone and local support services, with speeches from the NottAlone co-founders.

NottAlone, which originated as a mental health support website for children and young people, was first launched in 2021 as a dedicated resource for those aged 0-25 years. The success of this website inspired an expansion to create a version of NottAlone accessible to everyone from Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, no matter what age they are.

This all-age approach to NottAlone has been over a year in the making, with a brand-new website developed through involvement from a partnership team made up of members of Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire NHS Integrated Care Board.

Co-production has been a core value at the heart of NottAlone from the very beginning, ensuring that every part of the website, brand and even language used feels right for the people of Nottinghamshire. Groups of local people, some with lived experience of mental health struggles, gave insight and input into the development of the new website and branding from the very beginning.

One of those involved in the co-production, Debs Dulake, 52 from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, began working with the team right at the start of the expansion project. She said:

“Working on this project has given me so much back already, knowing the importance of having such valuable information easily accessible. Every person I have worked with has been open to my opinion and gone above and beyond to make me feel as involved as all the ‘professionals’ working on the project.”

Co-founders of NottAlone, Dr Maddi Popoola and Dr Orlaith Green, shared why now is the time to expand, and their exciting vision for the new website.

Dr Popoola, Educational Psychologist and Mental Health Support Team Service Manager at Nottingham City Council, said:

“I’m so proud to be able to share NottAlone with an even wider audience across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and I can’t believe our launch day is finally here. To see NottAlone come to life over the past few years and watch its success with children and young people has been so rewarding, so to look ahead to how many more people it will help, is incredibly fulfilling.

“Expanding the website so that it has relevant information for people of all ages will give even more people the opportunity to benefit from NottAlone. I truly hope it helps local people connect to the support they need.”

Dr Green, Principal Educational Psychologist and Group Manager for Psychology & Inclusion Services at Nottinghamshire County Council, added that she hoped the NottAlone name would stick firmly in everyone’s minds:

“We want the NottAlone website to be the place to go for mental health advice and connections to free, local support in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. All the information you need to get support for your mental health is in one place, so if the only thing you remember is to search for ‘NottAlone’ when you need help, then we’ve done our job in making mental health support easy to find in the local community. You are not alone.”

The website has helpful advice and information for those worried about a loved one or colleague too. The partnership group identified early on that there wasn’t much advice available for people concerned about those close to them, so the website also features information for those looking to support a friend or family member, and professionals concerned about someone in their workplace.

On visiting the website for the first time, users are asked if they are looking for support for themselves or for someone else. Their answer determines the content they are shown on the website, with clever functionality built in to determine age-appropriate content, so that children and young people continue to have a bespoke web experience which will evolve and expand as they become adults.

Co-production group member Debs shared:

“NottAlone was already a great resource for young people, but when expanding and adding content just for adults it was important to change the language appropriately, add any information that was only relevant to adults and to make the flow through the information as easy and as seamless as possible.

“Knowing that the NottAlone website is 100% co-produced with people with lived experience and users at its heart not only leads by example but also will help many people who are seeking support. I am so thankful to have been part of this project and feel very proud of the end result.”

Join in the celebrations by attending the launch event tonight at Central Library. Free tickets can be claimed by searching for NottAlone in Nottingham on Eventbrite and booking a ticket.

Visit www.NottAlone.org.uk to take a look at the brand-new website, share the link with friends and family and follow NottAlone on social media:

TikTok: @NottAlone | Facebook: @WeAreNottAlone | X: @NottAlone1 | Instagram: @NottAlone1

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Dementia Pathway Survey

Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Integrated Care System (ICS) would like to hear from people living with Dementia, their carers and professionals working on the Dementia pathway. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete.

We would like to understanding your experiences of the Dementia pathway, this includes pre-diagnosis, diagnosis and post-diagnosis care and support. We are gathering feedback on what has worked well and what could be improved.

Findings from this survey will help shape the local Dementia strategy and future service provision. 

The survey closes on Friday 31st May 2024.