About

Rethink is a leading charity provider of mental health services in England, They aim to improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through their network of local groups and services, expert information, and successful campaigning. People living with mental illness, and those who care for them, are at the heart of everything Rethink do. They shape their expert advice, information, and around 90 services – everything from housing to community-based services. And they drive our campaigning to change the law and tackle discrimination. Together, we run over 130 local groups which provide vital peer support in the community.

Rethink runs some Mental Health support services in Gloucestershire including=

Gloucestershire Mental Health Support and Advice

The Mental Health Support and Advice Service aims to improve individual mental health outcomes for Gloucestershire residents with a serious mental Illness and/or common mental health conditions. Through a personalised support approach, we seek to reduce the need to access primary and secondary mental health services.

What support do we offer?

One to one (1:1) practical and emotional support, which is provided through face to face sessions, online, telephone or text. We provide support in a way that will help you most. The 1:1 support is provided by a peer support worker or community link worker, and is offered initially for up to 3 months, which will be reviewed with you, with the option to extend support if needed. You can also choose to attend group support sessions as well. 

• Reduce social isolation and loneliness- 1:1 Mental Health Link Working Support, Peer Support, and access to personalised  activities that support/maintain wellbeing.
• Enable individuals to increase their resilience- equipping you with appropriate tools, information, and advice so you can make informed choices about your care and support and promoting self-direction.
• Discharge and reablement pathway for adults who are being discharged from Gloucestershire's Acute Mental Health Wards or are at risk of being admitted, through 1:1 mental Health Link Working Support.
• Increase community capactiy- enhance local community provision, bolster networks and develop communities that care, whilst reducing stigma and increasing accessibility. 

Appropriate signposting will be provided to an individual throughout their time in the Service, this will be dependent on their goals, identified outcomes and, where needed will include supporting someone into another service, and advocating for their needs to be able to appropriately access that service.

What does support look like?

• 1:1 Mental Health Community Link and Resilience Building (including discharge support), using Person-centred, strengths-based support to promote independence and resilience, gain confidence and build self-advocacy skills.
• Peer Support- 1:1 peer support and groups
• Community Link Working and Networks- Promotion, awareness-raising, identifying gaps, building community capacity.

Find out more about local support available

"CandO" Connect and Offload new mental wellbeing help line

‘Connect and Offload’, or CandO (pronounced ‘can do’) for short is a helpline designed to provide support when someone first notices signs and symptoms of their mental health worsening.  It will be open to any adult who is experiencing issues with their emotional wellbeing, such as low mood, anxiety, stress and loneliness. It also includes support and advice for individuals seeking help with self-harm allowing them to receive the support they need, alongside wider support for their overall emotional wellbeing.

The ‘Connect and Offload’ helpline will:

• Offer support to adults (aged 18 plus) without the need for a referral, or an appointment.
  
  
• Enable people to access help anonymously, between the hours of 2pm-9pm, seven days a week, 365 days per year, via
  
  
  • Phone on 0808 801 0606
  • Text 07537 410 022
  • Webchat via the website
  • Email cando@rethink.org
    
    
• Provide emotional support, information on local services and a ‘listening ear’.
• Promote coping strategies, safety planning and advice on self-care.
• Give advice and support to carers, friends or family.
• Signpost to sources of community-based support and other mental health services, or to organisations who can help with wider issues such as concerns over finance, debt, bereavement, or employment.

Visit CandO Website to find out more 

Factsheets & Resources

Anxiety
We all have feelings of anxiety, worry and fear sometimes. These can be normal responses to certain situations. For example, you might worry about a job interview or paying a bill on time. But if you have an anxiety disorder, these feelings of fear and danger can be ongoing and interrupt your daily routine long after the threat has gone. They can make you feel as though things are worse than they actually are. Read more on Rethink.org

Depression
Depression is a long-lasting low-mood disorder. Depression is when you feel persistently sad for weeks or months rather than just a few days. It affects your ability to do everyday things, feel pleasure or take an interest in activities.  Read more on Rethink.org

Self-Harm
Self-harm is intentionally harming yourself, such as by scratching, cutting, overdosing on medication, biting or burning. Self-harm isn’t a mental illness, but it is often linked to mental distress. You may self-harm because you find it difficult to cope with your moods or how you feel. Everyone has their own reasons for self-harming. Read more on Rethink.org

The service has developed a coping strategies booklet that offers support, guidance and ideas on different ways of managing your self harming urges. 

Physical activity and mental health
Getting enough exercise and being active can be important for both your mental and physical health. Some medications might make you feel more tired. But moderate exercise can help to improve your mood and general wellbeing and help you to feel better about yourself. Read more on Rethink.org

Stress 
Stress is the feeling of being under too much mental or emotional pressure. When you are stressed, your body releases stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol. A small amount of stress can be useful. It can motivate you to take action and get tasks completed. It can also make you feel alive and excited. But too much stress can cause negative effects such as a change in your mood, your body and relationship issues. 

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)
It is common for changing seasons, weather and temperatures to affect people’s comfort, mood, energy levels, sleeping patterns and appetite. If you experience a prolonged period of low mood returning at the same time of year, that is impacting on your daily life, then you might have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).  Read more on Mentalhealth-uk.org

Alcohol and our wellbeing
Alcohol is a depressant, meaning it slows down neural activity. It can interfere with our mood, thoughts and behaviour. There are close links between alcohol and mental health, including the use of alcohol to mask or reduce symptoms of mental-ill health, which can lead to dependency and cause further mental health problems. Understanding our relationship with alcohol can help us to monitor how it effects our mental health. Read more on Mentalhealth-uk.org

Body image and mental health
The term ‘body image’ relates to how we think or feel about our bodies. Many of us will experience a negative feeling towards our body at some point in our lives, and these prolonged feelings can cause symptoms of anxiety, depression and eating disorders. Read more on Mentalhealth-uk.org

Sleep and mental health
Problems with sleep can affect how you feel physically and mentally, and how you feel can also affect how you sleep. Find out how a lack of sleep can affect your mental health, and what you can do to improve it. Read more on Mentalhealth-uk.org

For more resources, please see the full list of advice topics on the Rethink Mental Illness website or the Mental Health UK website.