Health and wellbeing

Mental health and wellbeing

Worrying about your financial situation can take its toll on your mental health. There's lots of support you can access which will help you:

  • InfoLink - Staying mentally well
  • If you are emotionally distressed and need urgent mental health support: Call 111 and press option 2 for the NHS Mental Health Crisis Support line. If someone is in immediate danger of harming themselves call 999
  • Speak to someone you trust. You may find it helpful to talk to your partner, a relative or a friend about your problems. If this is not possible, talk to someone else you can trust, like a faith leader or a tutor, or try a helpline.
  • Speak to your GP. To find a GP visit NHS - Find a GP
  • Speak to Suffolk Wellbeing Service. If you are East and West call 0300 123 1781 or visit Wellbeing - Support in Suffolk
  • Speak to Suffolk Mind. call 0300 111 6000 visit Suffolk Mind
  • Speak to the Samaritans who offer free emotional support 24 hours a day - in full confidence. Call 116 123

Other resources and places you can go for information and support:

Support with NHS treatments

If you have a low income, the NHS Low Income Scheme could help you pay for:

  • NHS prescription charges
  • NHS dental treatment charges
  • the cost of sight tests, glasses and contact lenses
  • the cost of travelling to receive NHS treatment
  • NHS wigs and fabric supports (check with your hospital for their arrangements for supplying NHS wigs)

Domestic abuse

Unfortunately, we know that cases of domestic abuse increase in circumstances where there are worries around finances, debt, losing a job and so on. If this is happening to you or a loved one, there is advice and support for you across West Suffolk:

  • Suffolk Domestic Abuse Helpline provides support for those facing domestic abuse. Please call 0800 977 5690 to speak to an adviser.
  • Bury St Edmunds Women’s Aid provides a range of services based in the community for anyone who is experiencing or has experienced domestic abuse. For further information please call their Helpline on 0330 551 9495 or visit Bury St Edmunds Women's Aid Centre
  • Leeway Domestic Violence and Abuse Services providing support to adults, young people and children who are experiencing domestic abuse in Norfolk and Suffolk. For support and advice please call 0300 561 0077 or visit their website Leeway - Domestic violence and abuse services
  • Alumah providing one to one support for adults and young people experiencing domestic abuse in West Suffolk. For support and advice please call 07770 468698 or visit the website: alumah
  • Refuge: 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline. A service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. For support and advice please call 0808 2000 247 or visit their website: Refuge