Supporting others – information and resources

This guidance is designed to help anyone working in Herefordshire and Worcestershire access basic information and tools around supporting those struggling with mental health or suicide. 

It also highlights resources for you to maintain wellbeing and look after yourself after a difficult conversation.

The information provided is basic signposting and not for clinical mental health referrals.

If you are a mental health professional and wish to make a referral to NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies service please visit the professionals referral area.

What to say & how to listen

If someone is upset, stressed or struggling with wellbeing, follow the SHUSH listening tips created by the Samaritans:

  • Show you care: Focus on the other person, make eye contact and put away your phone.
  • Have patience: It may take time and several attempts before a person is ready to be open.
  • Use open questions that need more than a yes or no answer and follow up with ‘tell me more’.
  • Say it back to check you have understood, but don’t interrupt or offer a solution.
  • Have courage: Don’t be put off by a negative response, and most importantly, don’t feel you have to fill a silence.

Not sure how to ask about suicide?  Here are some conversation starters

Looking for more information about how to start, manage and close conversations about mental health? Mind, a mental health charity, have a comprehensive guide available to download. 

Local support in Herefordshire and Worcestershire

  • Talking Therapies, formally known as 'Healthy Minds' or 'IAPT' provides a range of free, confidential support to people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. This includes Online therapy, groups and courses, and 1:1 support. We can also help you find and access a variety of groups, courses and activities delivered by other organisations.
  • Visit our Downloadable Resources page for posters on the main routes to signpost children, young people and adults to support around their mental health in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. 
  • Now We’re Talking gives tailored signposting advice around a variety of mental health issues.
  • Visit our Acting Together to Prevent Suicide campaign page for online resources including a step by step guide to helping someone in crisis.
  • Talk Community from Herefordshire Council has a list of additional local services available for Herefordshire around mental health and suicide prevention.
  • Worcestershire County Council has a list of additional local services available around mental health and suicide for Worcestershire.
  • If the person is under 18 years old signpost them to the CAMHS children and young people's website
  • If someone is struggling with their wellbeing, there are often small things you can do in addition to signposting to help someone.  Consider if there is any action you can take within your role to relieve their stress – sometimes this might simply be the way you approach a conversation.

Gambling

The NHS West Midlands Gambling Harms Clinic (also known as the Midlands Gambling Clinic) provides specialist addiction therapies, treatment, and recovery to those affected by gambling addiction and gambling problems. Referral criteria: 

  • 18 years old and above
  • Registered with a GP in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Telford and Wrekin, Shropshire, Birmingham, Solihull, Black Country, Coventry, Warwickshire, Herefordshire and Worcestershire
  • Have problems with their gambling, resulting in harm to themselves and other people

The treatment service can be accessed directly via a self-referral or through a professional referral.

Their self-help toolkit provides the support and resources needed to help people cut down or stop gambling and make a fresh start with their life. If a person you're supporting needs professional help, you can refer them, or they can refer themselves to specialist NHS treatment.

Training to help you help others

  • Zero Suicide Alliance - Through this 20 minute suicide awareness training you will gain skills and confidence to help someone who may be considering suicide.
  • Real Talk Interactive Film - Real Talk About Suicide is a 30 minute interactive film which helps guide the viewer, as they make choices to support someone with suicidal thoughts and behaviours. 
  • We Need to Talk about Suicide – This is 60-90 minute training developed by Health Education England.  The purpose of this programme is to support the ambition of reducing the stigma associated with suicide, to help everyone see that simply asking someone how they are and talking about suicide can really help. 
  • Depression is not a normal part of ageing – This 20-minute session explains what depression is and what the differences with normal ageing are. Differences in older people’s depression are covered, along with physical, social and psychological common treatments.
  • MindEd is a free online educational resource covering mental health for children, young people, adults and older people. This training is free and completely open access with over 500 sessions available online.  View all MindEd modules

Self care and supporting your staff

  • Visit Now We’re Talking for tools to help your own mental wellbeing or get further support.
  • The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Recovery College aims to give people the tools, skills and understanding that they need to drive forward their own wellbeing and recovery journey whilst breaking down the stigmas relating to mental health
  • Had a difficult conversation around suicide? Did you know you can call Samaritans or PAPYRUS as a professional to debrief?
  • Practitioner Health: This is a free, confidential mental health and addiction service with expertise in supporting healthcare professionals in NHS primary care settings. 
  • HR leads or managers can find out more about strengthening suicide prevention for their staff through Herefordshire and Worcestershire’s suicide prevention hub for workplaces.
  • Please make sure to raise any concerns or worries about your own, or someone else's mental health with your line manager if you feel able to do so.