This Mental Health Awareness Week, people living in Surrey and North-East Hampshire are being reminded they can self-refer for free NHS mental health support without needing to visit their GP.
We're encouraging people who are struggling with mental health issues such as stress, anxiety, low mood, or drug and alcohol use to take action early by referring themselves for support.
Dr Phil Anderson, Deputy Chief Therapies Officer at Surrey and Borders Partnership said: “Experiencing mental health challenges is common - according to Mind, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.
“This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is ‘action’. Whilst it can feel difficult to reach out for support, taking action early to get help is important; it will prevent difficulties getting worse and can help people build the confidence and skills to take back control of their emotional wellbeing. You don’t need to wait for a professional referral – many of our services accept self-referrals and our experts are here to help you build your resilience and improve your mental health.”
Talking therapies for stress, anxiety and low mood
Mind Matters Surrey, our Talking Therapies service, supports adults across Surrey experiencing low mood, anxiety or stress. Accredited therapists offer individual therapy, guided self-help, online support and group courses. The service is available to anyone aged 17 and over who is registered with a GP in Surrey. To self-refer, visit the Mind Matters website and follow the Limbic chat, no GP referral is needed. For queries, call 0300 330 5450 or text 07786 202565 (8.30am–5.30pm).
One person supported by Mind Matters said: “I am no longer living in darkness, this has been a good journey. I was listened to without judgement, I now feel I can keep going and looking forward to the best things.”
Recovery College mental health courses in Surrey
Recovery College runs courses to help people better understand their mental health, build confidence, recover and stay well. Courses are delivered by specially trained Recovery Coaches, who have experience of mental or physical ill health, alongside mental health professionals. You can enrol to join a course on the Surrey Recovery College website. They are available to adults living in Surrey and North-East Hampshire.
A person who attended Recovery College said: “This has been a life changer for me. The courses are very insightful. Recovery College acts as a beacon of hope that recovery is possible. I looked forward to the course every week and felt so confident at the end of each session.”
Drug and alcohol recovery support in Surrey
i-access Group Support and Recovery Café offers free, confidential support for adults in Surrey affected by drug or alcohol use. It provides peer-led groups, recovery activities and opportunities to connect with others, helping people build confidence and stay on track with recovery. No referral or appointment is needed. For queries, call 0808 169 8512 or email referrals@surreycares.org.uk.
One person supported by i-access said: “I’ve felt an immense change – the tools and education provided has helped me to achieve my goals. The clinicians were very kind, supportive, helpful and knowledgeable.”
Peer support for complex emotional needs
Service User Network, (SUN) offers regular peer support groups for people with complex emotional needs or personality disorders. The groups provide a safe space to share experiences, learn coping strategies and receive support from trained professionals and people with lived experience. SUN is available to adults living in Surrey and North East Hampshire. To join, complete the SUN form on our website. For questions, call 01372 216700 or email sun.admin@sabp.nhs.uk.
One SUN member said: “Being part of the SUN community has significantly contributed to my overall wellbeing and provided me with a strong sense of belonging. I truly believe that I would not be in as positive a place today without the support and presence of SUN.”
How to access mental health support without a GP referral
For more information on the self-referral support available through Surrey and Borders Partnership, please visit: www.sabp.nhs.uk/our-services/mentalhealth