Supporting World Mental Health Day

Saturday 10th October 2026 is World Mental Health Day. Below you can find a variety of options if you need support.

The most recent suicide rate in St Helens was recorded at 16 deaths per 100,000 people, with the average rate being 10.9 in the rest of the country.

At the SCDF, we have a wide range of options available for those wanting to get out the house and get involved in our activities. We have the likes of Cheer & Dance, Building Foundations and so much more on offer to get involved with, all of which you can find on our website.

Our doors are always open for anyone who wants to get outside and be involved with any of our events. Please always remember, you are not alone.

Our Mental Health Ambassador Mike Webster said: “Today is World Mental Health Day and the Foundation supports the focus and attention that this brings.

“This year’s theme is ‘Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.’ It focuses on hearing from people with lived experience of mental health conditions. 

“This is an area of the Foundation’s activity that often goes under the radar. We work across all age groups with our resilience programme in schools, the Building Foundations programme, our early onset dementia group, the hugely successful Qualitech Reminisce Cafe and our inclusive Learning Disability activities.

“As such we are proud to be part of World Mental Health Day and to enable people to talk and share their experiences within our programmes. The power of group support cannot be under played.

“Remember ‘It’s good to talk. It’s even better to be heard.’ We can all play our part!”

There are a wide range of support options available for those who need it. You can find a full list of them on the St Helens Council’s website available online here.

NHS 111

Anyone needing urgent mental health support can now call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 access to urgent support.

Children and Young People’s Crisis Response Team

The Mersey Care 24 hour response team is for young people up to the age of 18 experiencing emotional, behavioural or mental health difficulties which are causing difficulties in their school, family or social life.

Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.

Talking Therapies

Talking Therapies offers free NHS therapy for people registered with a St Helens GP with common mental health problems such as anxiety, stress or depression.

St Helens Wellbeing

St Helens Wellbeing Service provide a number of initiatives to support wellbeing:

  • Training: mental health training available face to face and online for organisations, businesses and voluntary/community groups.
  • Men’s Wellbeing Project: FREE activities for men to help boost wellbeing.
  • Happy to Chat benches: located at various sites across St Helens, the Happy to Chat benches provide a place for people to stop and chat with others.

OK TO ASK

The OK TO ASK campaign is a local initiative which encourages everyone in St Helens to NOT be afraid to talk about suicide prevention – in order to help save the lives of those who might be.

By spotting and recognising the signals, breaking down stigma and silence and learning what to do when you think someone you know wants to end their own life, we can all help prevent suicide.

Crisis Cafe 110

Crisis Cafe 110 at Hope House in St Helens is a space to find support, improve your wellbeing and be signposted to services. Open Monday-Friday 4pm-8.

Parents in Mind

If you are feeling low, anxious, disinterested in your usual activities and are pregnant or within two years of giving birth, then the Parents in Mind’s friendly, welcoming support may be for you. They provide support groups where you can meet others going through similar experiences, seek information, talk things through, or simply relax.

Dad Matters St Helens

Dad Matters St Helens exists to support dads to have the best possible relationship with their children. They work closely with other professionals within St Helens and nationally to better support dads in the first 1001 days of their parenting journey. They offer outreach services/drop-ins at Whiston Hospital, Lowe House Resource Centre and Family Hubs, provide one-to-one peer support, group sessions, new dad workshops and support with accessing services and information to help make sense of being a dad.

Chat Health

ChatHealth is a confidential text messaging service for young people aged 11-19 in St Helens. Led by the School Nursing Service (part of the 0-19+ Service in St Helens), young people aged 11-19 can access confidential advice and support from school nurses via text on a range of health and wellbeing issues.

ChatHealth is available between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday (including school holidays and excluding bank holidays) and is accessed by texting 07312263250.

Thrive

In St Helens we have a wide range of services available to support children and young people’s emotional and mental wellbeing. Support is available within the community as well as in local education settings. Most of the services are available for children and young people aged 0-18 years old, but some offer support for children and young people with SEND up to age 25.

Visit the Thrive website to find the service that can best support you and your needs. If you have any queries about any of the services listed, please contact the service directly who will be happy to help.

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