Jasmine Birtles
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Mental health is never not important – and for good reason. Whilst it can be very serious and need urgent support, mental health (as a wider term) is something that can impact every single one of us.
In fact, did you know that in the UK in 2024, the term ‘How to reduce stress’ is searched on Google once every 10 minutes, on average.
At present, the cost of living crisis, the long-term impact of the pandemic, and the general state of the world can all worsen our mental health and there have been record numbers of people reported seeking help. In fact Forth shared the stats that “More than 1 in 7 UK adults say their mental health is currently either bad, or the worst it’s ever been”. But NHS services are under strain and it can take a long time to get seen in mental health services. The good news is that there are ways to access mental health support privately whatever your budget.
Ask Your Employer About Counselling Support
First things first, if you’re in an immediate dire situation and feel like things are just too much, there is emergency help available for you. If you think you’re in immediate danger to yourself or someone else, call 999.
If you’re feeling really low but don’t think you need the emergency services, call a helpline. They are free and non-judgemental, a safe space to talk about your difficulties with a trained counsellor.
The Samaritans run a 24/7 helpline every day of the week. Call 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
Mind Charity runs four different helplines, including a general support line (0300 102 1234), an infoline (0300 123 3393), welfare benefits line (0300 222 5782) and legal (0300 466 6463). They all run Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm except Bank Holidays.
BetterHelp is an online therapy service that matches you to a therapist specialising in your particular difficulty. Initially you’re matched with a therapist and work with them online – so you don’t have to attend an office, and can have therapy sessions at a time that works for you. You can switch the therapist ay any time if it isn’t working for you.
We like BetterHelp because they have helped take the stigma out of accessing mental health support, and made it affordable to get help when you need it and in the format you prefer (email, live message, phone, or video call). Their therapists are credentialed and vetted, and specialise in all kinds of psychotherapy – and if you don’t like the therapist you’re matched with, you can switch at any time.
BetterHelp costs from £180-£280 a month – making it affordable for a lot of people.
And by signing up using our link, you can get 20% off your first month.
Having open conversations with your friends and family when you’re not doing well is the first step in tackling poor mental health. It’s not a replacement for therapy, but can help you relieve some stress when you find out you’re not alone.
When you’re finding things hard, try to talk to friends by opening the conversation of ‘how are you?’ with honesty. It can be very hard to open up, particularly when we’re used to being seen as the one who holds everything together – but there is some truth in ‘a problem shared is a problem halved’. You may find your friends can offer practical solutions that will help relieve some of your angst, such as offering to give you a night off by babysitting so you can get out and about for the evening.
Again, friends and family aren’t there to replace therapy or other services, but when they know you’re having a hard time, you’ll be surprised at how they’ll rally around you to boost your mood, help out where they can, and just be a listening ear while you wait to access therapy.
Many workplaces offer free or discounted mental health support, but it often isn’t widely advertised. An Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offers independent support by a third-party provider. This means everything you discuss is entirely confidential – your boss will never find out that you’ve used the scheme or what you discussed in sessions.
It may come in the form of a telephone helpline, Zoom sessions, or even in-person meetings. The offerings of EAP schemes vary between employers, so check your contract to see what is offered (or talk to HR if you can’t find the details – you don’t need to give details, just ask if there is an EAP scheme).
A more expensive option is to find an in person therapist in your area. Your GP may be able to recommend one who deals with your particular circumstances, so ask them for a recommendation if you can. If not, use the Counselling Directory to find counsellors in your area.
There are different types of therapist, so it’s important to know what each can and can’t do.
A counsellor listens and offers guidance and advice, and can signpost you to other services. They may specialist in other therapies like hypnotherapy, too. Counsellors tend to deal with immediate or surface issues – such as the stress of moving house or grieving a loved one. A counsellor can’t diagnose you or prescribe medication.
Psychotherapists are for longer-term mental health support and will often tackle deep-rooted issues. They offer talking therapies such as CBT. A psychotherapist can’t diagnose you or prescribe medication (unless they are also a qualified psychologist).
A psychologist is a more in-depth psychotherapist and will be called ‘Dr.’ in front of their name. They will have completed a three-year degree in psychology. They work a lot within the NHS, and can advise on a diagnosis but not prescribe medication.
A psychiatrist is someone with a medical background and training, with five years of training to be a doctor and then a further six years training to be a psychiatrist. They tackle the most complex cases and can prescribe medication. Due to their significant training, and ability to prescribe, psychiatrists are the most expensive kind of in-person therapist, but of course they are worth it if you need their expertise.