Self-esteem is how we value and perceive ourselves. It’s based on our opinions and beliefs about ourselves, which can sometimes feel really difficult to change.
The things that affect our self-esteem differ for everyone. You might have had low self-esteem for a while​ – which might make it hard to recognise how you feel and make changes.
Looking after your wellbeing
Self-help guides
The NHS have produced a range of self-help guides that can be viewed as a PDF or an audio version. To view the guides please visit the self-help guides bookshelf (opens in new window).
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Wellbeing and Recovery College
Courses and workshops to give people the tools, skills and understanding that they need to support their mental health and wellbeing. Visit the Recovery College website to find out more.
Relaxation techniques
Exploring relaxation can help you look after yourself when you're feeling stressed or worried. Why not try these relaxation routines and see how relaxation can fit into your daily life? Listen to the audio guides here.
SilverCloud online therapy
SilverCloud courses are designed to help you improve and maintain your wellbeing by changing the way you think and feel about things. There are several free courses to pick from including positive body image, panic, depression, anxiety, stress and many more. Find out more about SilverCloud.
Every Mind Matters
Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. Visit the Every Mind Matters website.
Worcestershire Community Services Directory (if you live in Worcestershire)
The Worcestershire Community Services Directory sets out all of the local information, advice, tools, guidance and local support available for people in Worcestershire.
Talk Community (if you live in Herefordshire)
Talk Community is a website detailing the services, groups, community hubs, events, and information available to people in Herefordshire.
Podcasts
Podcasts can be a really good way of relaxing the mind, listen to features, interviews and a number of people involved in mental health, including people have experience mental health difficulties, campaigners and mental health experts. To find out more visit the podcast resources page.
Access local mental health and wellbeing support
NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies
The NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies team are trained and experienced in supporting a wide range of more common mental health issues. Mostly this involves ‘talking therapy’ approaches. Talking therapy could involve group discussion, or more traditional 1:1 sessions. We also provide online courses and employment support which the team can guide you through. To find out more about the service and self-refer visit the service webpage.
GP
Support in a mental health crisis
If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.
What happens when I call?
Who can call?
If you aren't able to make the call yourself, then anyone can call on your behalf — for example a friend, carer, loved one or even your GP. You can also access NHS 111 online via 111.nhs.uk.
The service is available to anyone facing a mental health crisis, which could include:
- Changes to your mood
- Withdrawing from people (close family, friends, or work colleagues)
- Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living
- Excessive worry
- Feeling out of control or unable to cope
- Feeling anxious about leaving the house
- Hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t
- Thinking about harming yourself.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- Yours or someone’s life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
- You do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe
If you just need to talk, any time of day or night
These services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
- Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line.
- If you're under 19, you can call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
- Are you a young person in crisis? Visit the Young Minds website for more support.
Alternative local support
- Worcestershire Safe Haven provides telephone support and face-to-face appointments to Worcestershire residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 01905 600400 any day of the week between 6pm and midnight for support and signposting.
- Herefordshire Mind Safe Haven if you find yourself in crisis or need urgent support with your mental health, the Safe Haven is a safe and friendly place that you can come and access mental health support and advice.The Safe Haven telephone and email support service is available every evening, 7 days a week, from 5pm to 10pm; call 01432 372407 or email safehaven@herefordshire-mind.org.uk.
National support
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK if you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
- If you are deaf or hard of hearing and experiencing a mental health crisis contact the SignHealth Text Crisis service, by texting DEAF to 85258 for free and immediate support. If yours, or someone else’s life is in immediate danger for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe you can contact 999 by using the Relay UK service . The service is provided for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired as an alternative option for contacting an emergency service.
Use the NHS111 online help service or phone NHS 111 if you need urgent help for your mental health, but it’s not an emergency - for example, if you need medication or a prescription and you're unable to contact your GP.
Other support
Mental health and wellbeing
- Herefordshire Mind — Herefordshire Mind provides a range of support and interventions for people experiencing mental health difficulties, this includes the Safe Haven crisis service, counselling, community activities, link workers and community support. Find out more about their services and how to access support on their website.
- South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind — South Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind provides a range of mental health services across the region. These range from an crisis and regular telephone support, to outdoor gardening activities and group sessions for better mental health. For more information, visit their website.
- The CLD Trust (Herefordshire) — Provides counselling and other talking therapies to children, young people (from the age of 9) and some adults. Find out more on their website.
- The Cart Shed (Herefordshire) — Activities such as woodwork, coppicing, gardening and cooking can all support wellbeing and emotional health. A non-clinical setting helping individuals address and overcome issues they may be finding difficult to self-manage. To find out more visit the Cart Shed website.
- Men’s Sheds — Men's Sheds are local spaces for men to connect, make friends and enjoy activities. There are groups across Worcestershire. Please visit Men’s Sheds website to find out more.
- Simply Limitless (Worcestershire) — The charity provides support to people of all ages in the community with their mental, social and physical health. Visit their website to view their latest courses and workshops.
- Active — An independent organisation providing sports and activities designed to support the wellbeing of people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Visit their website to see whats available in your local area.
- Farming Community Network - A national helpline for farmers that offers a chance to talk to someone who understands the challenges. Call 03000 111 999 between 7am and 11pm daily for help with stress, depression, alcohol or drug dependency, isolation or other worries. Find out more on the Farming Community Network website.
Families and relationships
- Onside Advocacy — Onside provides a range of support and services to ensure fairness and equality for adults who may be vulnerable, disadvantaged or discriminated against. This includes mental and physical ill health, sensory impairment, learning disability, drug and alcohol misuse, older people, and carers.
- West Mercia Women’s Aid — WMWA offers a range of specialist support including refuge, services for children, young people and men and tailored recovery programmes for people experiencing domestic abuse. For more information visit their website .
- Relate — Relate provides relationship counselling for couples, families and young people in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. To access support visit their website.
- Worcestershire Association of Carers — WAC provides a range of services for carers and families of people in Worcestershire. This includes person-centred support for carers, training and information sessions and emergency planning and Carers Emergency Cards. For information on how to access support from WAC, visit their website.
Substance misuse and gambling
- NHS West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic — Aalso known as the Midlands Gambling Clinic provides free, specialist addiction therapies, treatment and recovery to those affected by gambling addiction and gambling problems. Visit the NHS West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic website for more information.
- Cranstoun (Worcestershire) — Works to support those over 18 that are struggling with their alcohol or drug intake. The service also offers advice, support and guidance for family members and friends to cope with someone else’s substance use through the Family Support Service.
- Turning Point (Herefordshire) — Turning Point is an integrated substance misuse service providing free and confidential support for adults and young people around their use of alcohol and other drugs. Turning Point also offers support to families and carers affected by the alcohol or drug use of someone else.
National support
- Silver Line — The Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and support to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
- Hub of Hope — The UK’s leading mental health support database. It is provided by national mental health charity, Chasing the Stigma, and brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place for the first time.
- DadPad — As a new dad you will feel excited, but you may also feel left out, unsure or overwhelmed. The DadPad can help by giving you the knowledge and practical skills that you need. The resource will support you and your partner to give your baby the best possible start in life.