Q: How do I join one of your groups?

Check our Peer Support Section on the website to see which group you are interested in and how you can join Our groups are free to attend and provide informal peer support to attendees. If you have any questions about our groups feel free to cal the office on 0114 258 4489

Question 1

I need help with something other than my mental health, can you help?

Accepted Answer

Our services provide emotional support, for other services please see our signposting pages or visit your areas local support services website.

For example if you live in Sheffield you can check out the Sheffield Mental Health Guide, or if you live in Doncaster you can check out Your Life Doncaster.

Question 2

I’m concerned about my relative/friend/colleague, what can I do?

Accepted Answer

It can be difficult when a friend or relative is struggling with their mental health. Let them know you’re there to help, talk about what they feel would help. Offer practical help such as making a telephone call to access support. Keep yourself, and the person, focused on positive things and day-to-day realities.

If they are willing to access services, support them to make and maybe attend appointments or help them search for and identify the support that would be most appropriate for them - eg do they need one-to-one help or might they be willing to attend a group?

Encourage them to see their GP so that an assessment can be made of what medical attention might be required.

If you are concerned about their safety, or it is an emergency, please refer to our signposting pages.

Question 3

I need support right now, can you help?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, we are not a crisis service. Please see our signposting pages for immediate support.

Question 4

How do I join one of your groups?

Accepted Answer

Check our Peer Support Section on the website to see which group you are interested in and how you can join

Our groups are free to attend and provide informal peer support to attendees.

If you have any questions about our groups feel free to cal the office on 0114 258 4489

Question 5

I am unable to attend one of my counselling sessions, what do I do?

Accepted Answer

During your first counselling session with your therapist they would have informed you the best way to let them know you are unable for a session. However if you are unsure please contact us. 0114 258 4489 / therapy@sheffieldmind.co.uk

Question 6

Are Your Services free of charge?

Accepted Answer

The majority of our service are free of change, but we charge for our Revive services .

Question 7

what-happens-if-i-refer-myself-for-counselling?

Accepted Answer

One of our team will call you to take some details from you and book you in for an initial discussion with our team. This initial discussion is to get more details about you and your difficulties and make sure counselling is appropriate for you. Following this you will be offered counselling when one of our counsellors has a time slot for you. Following this you will meet with a counsellor every week, normally your counsellor and you would meet in person but for the time being we are conducting sessions over the telephone or on Zoom. Each session lasts 50 minutes. To start we offer 6 counselling sessions, which may be extended, dependent on a review.

Question 8

I’m struggling with my mental health, can you help?

Accepted Answer

Our service provides a variety of therapies and peer support group to help with your mental health.

We provided one to one and group support, please contact the team for further information or check the services page here for further details

Question 9

Am I eligible for your counselling service?

Accepted Answer

Our general counselling service is for adults aged 18 and over, who have a Sheffield GP.

Question 10

What services do you provide at Sheffield Mind?

Accepted Answer

We provide a range of services covering a range of mental health conditions

For up-to-date information, visit the services page on this website.

Question 11

Tips for coping with Stress

Accepted Answer

There's no medical definition of stress, and health care professionals often disagree over whether stress is the cause of problems or the result of them. This can make it difficult for you to work out what causes your feelings of stress, or how to deal with them. But whatever your personal definition of stress is, it's likely that you can learn to manage your stress better by:

managing external pressures,so stressful situations don't seem to happen to you quite so often
developing your emotional resilience, so you're better at coping with tough situations when they do happen and don't feel quite so stressed

Mind have some very useful tips/information and guides all of which can be accessed here

Here are the details of other organisations that may be able to help

Anxiety UK anxietyuk.org.uk

08444 775 774 (Monday–Friday 9.30am–5.30pm)
anxietyuk.org.uk

Be Mindful bemindful.co.uk

Information about mindfulness and mindfulness based stress reduction (MBSR).

Big White Wall bigwhitewall.com

An online community of people who are finding it hard to cope. It’s completely anonymous so you can express yourself openly.

Health and Safety Executive hse.gov.uk/stress

Information about health and safety law in the workplace. Specialist information on stress for employers and employees.

Mind Tools mindtools.com

Information on topics including stress management and assertiveness.

NHS Choices nhs.co.uk

Information and tips on managing stress in the workplace.

Samaritans samaritans.org

jo@samaritans.org

116 123 (24 hours a day)

Stress Management Society stress.org.uk

Information about stress and tips on how to cope

Stressbusting

stressbusting.co.uk

Information about stress and techniques for coping. Lists several talking treatments and alternative therapies that can be used to treat stress.

Question 12

Tips for a good nights sleep

Accepted Answer

How to get a better night’s sleep
Try and establish a bedtime routine and try not to get distracted by a late night movie, extra episode in a box set – one leads to another – eating and drinking to excess or at a late hour which may leave you feeling uncomfortable or a little the worse for wear – all of the above can make it that bit harder to get a restful night.

Sleep at regular times

Sleeping at regular times helps programme the body to wind down at a certain hour.

Most adults need between six and nine hours of sleep every night. By working out what time you need to wake up, you can set a regular bedtime schedule.

Make sure you wind down

Winding down is a critical stage in preparing for bed. We all have our own ways to relax:

A warm bath will help you feel relaxed and calm, soothed and rested and reach a temperature that's ideal for rest.

Writing "to do" lists for the next day can organise your thoughts and clear your mind of any distractions.

Relaxation exercises, such as light yoga stretches, help to relax the muscles. Don't exercise vigorously, as it will have the opposite effect.

Relaxation CD’s and Soothing music – listening to a story or a relaxing and soothing melody can be very relaxing and help the mind wander to a restful place

Reading a book or listening to the radio relaxes the mind by distracting it.

Make your bedroom sleep-friendly

Your bedroom should be a relaxing environment, ideally dark, quiet, tidy and be kept at a temperature of between 18C and 24C

Fit some thick curtains so as not to let in street light and if you live in a noisy area, consider ear plugs

Question 13

Can I do a Counselling placement with Sheffield Mind?

Accepted Answer

For enquiries about placements, please email the Clinical Lead at therapy@sheffieldmind.co.uk

Question 14

Do you offer interpreters?

Accepted Answer

We have limited ability to provide interpreters, although it is always worth asking. Some of our staff speak community languages, including Polish, Punjabi, Urdu, Hindi, Malayalam and Marathi; however we are not to able offer interpreters for most languages.

Question 15

Can I interview a staff member / can you answer the following questions for my essay / dissertation?

Accepted Answer

Sheffield Mind is really keen to spread awareness about mental health issues, so we’ll do our best to help you out. Try to give us as much notice as possible and if you are able to submit questions in writing in advance, we can be sure to allocate them to the most appropriate member of staff.

Please be aware that sometimes we’re just too busy, or we won’t have any available staff to do this and we will have to say no.

if we are unable to help with the interview, we may be able to signpost you to other sources of information.

Question 16

I’m isolated and would like to get out and meet people but I’m anxious.

Accepted Answer

Making the first step can be really hard, but having some support can help.

We’re involved in several ‘Springboards’ across the city. These are sessions where you can get a cup of tea and talk to other people in a similar situation. Staff and trained volunteers are available to help you feel welcome and there are activities you can get involved in. Click here for further details

We also run a men's support group (Mankind) on a Wednesday afternoon between 2.00 - 4.00. The sessions are relaxed and informal and facilitated by a trained volunteer. There is no need to book and you can call in as necessary to get support and advice from people who have similar experiences.

We offer an LGBTQ+ fortnightly group called the Kaleidoscope Cafe and a monthly young people's group, Rainbow Heron.

You can find out more about all these groups on our Peer Support page

Question 17

I'm concerned about my friend but they refuse to accept help

Accepted Answer

If you feel that someone you care about is clearly struggling but cannot or won't reach out for help, and won't accept any help you offer, it's understandable to feel frustrated, distressed and powerless. But it’s important to accept that they are an individual, so try not to make assumptions about how they feel - and remember that there are always limits to what you can do to support another person.

If you’re able to make time to have an honest conversation and show them that you value what they’re telling you, it can be easier to move forward. Try to identify with the emotions that they’re expressing and the reasons why they might not feel they need help- fear, previous experience etc. This might help you both agree that asking for extra support and treatment could be helpful.

Encourage then to speak to their GP or to seek advice from a specific service provider.

If the situation escalates and you feel that emergency intervention is required you should refer the matter to the emergency services or call the Single Point of Access Mental Health team on 0114 226 3636

Please also see our 'Need Urgent Help?' section.

Question 18

I’m concerned about my relative / friend / colleague - what can I do?

Accepted Answer

It can be difficult when a friend or relative is struggling with their mental health. Let them know you’re there to help, talk about what they feel would help. Offer practical help such as making a telephone call to access support. Keep yourself, and the person, focused on positive things and day-to-day realities.

If they are willing to access services, support them to make and maybe attend appointments or help them search for and identify the support that would be most appropriate for them - eg do they need one-to-one help or might they be willing to attend a group?

Encourage them to see their GPso that an assessment can be made of what medical attention might be required.

If you are concerned about their safety, or it is an emergency, please refer to our 'Need urgent help?' section.

Question 19

Can Sheffield Mind come and talk to my organisation about mental health?

Accepted Answer

Yes we can - and we can provide your organisation with mental health training. We charge for this service – for more details click here.

If you are interested in finding out more about mental health in general, we can provide leaflets and guides and, on occasion, attend events and meetings but please note that we generally ask for a donation to cover the costs to the organisation. Its a nice way for organisations to show their support for the work we do and also their commitment to greater mental health awareness in their group or place of business.

Question 20

Can you help me fill out my PIP form / help me with my benefit claim?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately we don’t offer this service and advise you to contact Citizens Advice

You can check the website at the link above or call the local advice line on 03444 113 111

If you are looking for help with Universal Credit, call the dedicated helpline on 0800 144 8444

Question 21

Can I refer myself to your services?

Accepted Answer

Sheffield Mind offer a range of different services. You are able to 'self-refer' into some of our services; however for other services you’ll need to be referred by a social worker or other professional. Select the Service you are interested in from the drop down list Under the header Services for more information and to access referral forms.

If you are not sure, call the office on the following number 0114 258 4489 to speak to a member of our experienced team.

Question 22

How can I increase my levels of exercise when I lack motivation?

Accepted Answer

Evidence proves that physical and mental wellbeing are directly linked and regular exercise can have a positive impact on our mental health.

We cannot all run marathons or climb Ben Nevis, but we can all try a little harder to move more and engage with activities that exercise and test our bodies and mind.The NHS suggests that adults aged 19 and over should do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as fast walking or cycling, a week. However, if you've been demotivated and you aren't used to exercising, you will need to build up to this.

The cheapest and most accessible exercise is walking. Try a short walk - to the shops, to the bus stop. Build it up slowly. Congratulate yourself when you walk somewhere rather than taking the bus or the car or not going at all.

You can also try stretching. Try a few minutes when you get up and a few minutes before you go to bed. Build this up slowly.

Put your favourite music on and dance! In the kitchen, in your bedroom - you might feel exhausted at first (depending on what type of music you like!) but you'll build up strength and stamina over time.

Find something you enjoy!

If you would like to find out more about what activities are taking part in the city check the links below should be a good place to start

Sheffield Move More

Sheffield 50+ activities

Sheffield International Venues

Question 23

How do I donate to Sheffield Mind?

Accepted Answer

We value and rely on the generosity of supporters and are grateful for all donations made to us. If you would like to donate you can full details of where and how to do so here

Question 24

Where can I get free counselling?

Accepted Answer

We offer free counselling, but we sometimes have a waiting list and are unable to take people on immediately.

For details of other options, speak to your GP or contact the Sheffield Mental Health Guide

Question 25

I need advice on my medication and how and why I need to take it

Accepted Answer

We are unable to advise on medication as we are not part of the NHS and do not have access to medical records. We do not have medical clinicians on site and would advise that you speak to your GP or call NHS 111 for advice on specific medication/dosage and or side effects

Question 26

How can I fundraise for Sheffield Mind?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can raise funds for Sheffield Mind and we are hugely grateful to the support we get from the local community. We're very happy to support our fundraisers and can help with information, advice and guidance.

if you are interested in raising funds for us you can get in touch with details of your event/activity and we can help with information and advice about how best to generate funds and can help promote your activities via social media.

We have a pack that we can send which has information and guidance on how to organise events and you can also call and discuss options with staff.

if you are interested in what others have done or would like to find out how you can get involved you can do so here