People struggling with their mental health in Bradford have been urged to reach out to the different services on offer.

Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership is sending the message ahead of World Mental Health Day on October 10.

Anyone who lives in Bradford District and Craven can use the Healthy Minds website - www.healthyminds.services - to find mental health support that is tailored to their needs.

Options include face to face or over the phone appointments, support groups, a dedicated app, as well as practical mental health advice.

Dr Junaid Azam, GP and Clinical Lead for Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership, said: “All year round we do our best to make people aware of the support they can access to help with their mental health. World Mental Health Day gives us an opportunity to shine a light on people’s emotional wellbeing and to continue to raise awareness so that we continue to encourage people to talk about how they are feeling. 

“There is a directory of services, and you have the option of filtering out the kind of support you’re looking for to meet your needs, or the needs of someone you care about. 

“It is also important that we take care of our physical health, as both mental and physical health are equally important to your overall health. Someone who has depression has an increased risk of long-lasting conditions like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. There are a number of things you can do to keep yourself physically well, like exercising, eating well, and stop smoking.”

Mental health support in Bradford

Living Well - found via https://mylivingwell.co.uk/ or by calling 01274 438884 - helps you know how to live healthier and be active. It has support for anyone looking to quit smoking, how to eat well, and support with drugs and alcohol dependency. 

To access NHS Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies, visit www.bdctalkingtherapies.nhs.uk or call 01274 221234 (open 9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday). 

Bradford District and Craven Talking Therapies (for anxiety and depression) is a free and confidential NHS service for people aged 16 and over who are registered with a GP in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven. To access this service visit www.bdctalkingtherapies.nhs.uk. call 01274 221234 (9am to 5pm from Monday to Friday), or email talkingtherapiesadmin@bdct.nhs.uk  

You can also write to Somerset House, Manor Lane, Shipley, West Yorkshire, BD18 3BP.

Guide-Line is confidential, emotional support available for people who feel like they need to talk to someone 365 days a year. Open between 8am and 12am, you can call 08001 884 884 or use the online live chat online by visiting www.mindinbradford.org.uk/chat 

Kooth – a free, safe, and anonymous online community available 24/7, 365 days of the year - has discussion forums, resources and access to online counselling for children and young people aged 10 to 18. For more information visit kooth.com 

West Yorkshire Night OWLS is a confidential support line for children, young people, their parents, and carers. This service is available from 8pm to 8am. You can call 0800 1488 244, text 07984 392700 or use the live chat via lslcs.org.uk/services/night-owls-helpline.

Urgent mental health crisis support in Bradford

For urgent mental health crisis support, you can reach out to First Response on 0800 952 1181. This service offers support 24 hours a day, seven days a week to people of all ages living in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven. When a First Response telephone assessment indicates the need for a face-to-face assessment, the service aims to see you within four hours.

Anyone that is aged seven and over can contact Safe Spaces which is a crisis service in the community, available 365 days a year between 12pm and 2.30am. To access Safe Spaces, call First Response on 0800 952 1181 and ask for ‘Safe Spaces’.