Mental health

What are mental health problems?

Mental ill-health covers a wide range of problems, from worries and grief that we all experience as part of everyday life to more serious problems, such as schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder. They can affect anyone, of any background, at any time of their life and may also have an impact on the people around them, such as family and friends.

• Factsheets and booklets from Mind - for more information

What help do you need?

The first thing you should do is contact your GP who may refer you for further help at the surgery or to your local Community Mental Health Team, who will arrange any help or care that you might need.

The department provides a range of services for adults with a severe mental health problem, usually through a joint service with health and the voluntary sector.

There are things that you can do yourself, such as taking exercise, developing and sustaining friendships, asking for help if you feel distressed or upset and cutting down on coffee, tea, alcohol, nicotine and other addictive substances. For further information see

• Ways to look after your Mental Health
• About Recovery in Hampshire

Other sources of help and information

• Mental health advice and support groups from the e.VOLve Community Directory
• Direct Payments financial help to enable you to employ the people or services you choose
• Recovery and Wellness Recovery Action Plans (WRAP)
• Services for people who have been raped or sexually abused
• Mental Health information for people from BME groups
• National Service Framework for Mental Health

Statistics on mental health

• 1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year.  
• The most common disorder in Britain is mixed anxiety and depression.
• Women are more likely to have been treated for mental health problems than men.
• Depression affects 1 in 5 older people living in the community.
• 1 in 10 children between the ages of 1 and 15 has a mental health disorder.