Support services for mental health, wellbeing and suicide prevention
Many of our specialist mental health services require a referral from a GP so are not listed below. If you think you need a specialist service, please speak to your GP.
There is more detailed information about mental health services in the Scottish Borders in this download - INFORMATION RESOURCE - Additional information about services in the Borders (PDF)
The services listed on this page are ones that you can contact directly (a 'self-referral'). Many of these can be accessed while you're on a waiting list for a specialist service, or when you've been discharged and are in recovery, to help you stay well.
If you'd like help to find a support group or service that is right for you, please drop in to one of our regular 'Information Stations for Mental Health and Wellbeing'
Local services
Health in Mind
1:1 support, peer support and group based learning. 16+ Listening Space (peer support) groups in Peebles, Duns, Tweedbank, Kelso, Galashiels and online. T: 01896 807000 E: scottishborders@health-in-mind.org.uk
Local Area Co-ordination Team (Scottish Borders Council)
Encourages and enables people to live an active, more connected and purposeful life in their community. Promotes recovery in individuals with lower levels of need. T: 01896 664155 E: LAC@scotborders.gov.uk
Wellbeing Service (NHS Borders)
Provides low level (tier one) self-help emotional and wellbeing support to people age 18+ who are able to self-manage, including support to stop smoking. T: 01896 824502 E: wellbeing@borders.scot.nhs.uk
Quarriers - Resilience for Wellbeing (Under 18s)
1:1 support and group work. Prevention and early intervention for young people aged up to 18. T: 01896 668 411 E: borders@quarriers.org.uk
Andy’s Man Club 18+
Men’s peer-to-peer support groups in person and online. Meets Mondays 7 - 9pm at: Gala RFC, Netherdale, Galashiels and Eyemouth Parish Hall, Victoria Rd, Eyemouth. *Not held on English Bank Holidays
Veterans F1irst Point
Offering confidential help and assistance to Veterans in the Scottish Borders, whatever their needs may be. T: 0300 013 2044 E: V1P@borders.scot.nhs.uk
Mental Health and Wellbeing Forum
An open forum which aims to give a voice to people with lived experience and carers - provides opportunities for networking, raising issues and participating in service improvements. Supported by Borders Care Voice.
T: 01896 757290 E: admin@borderscarevoice.org.uk
Borders Independent Advocacy Service (BIAS)
BIAS offers a free and confidential service for those with mental health problems in receipt of health or social care services. BIAS can help and support individuals to have their voices
heard, raise concerns, challenge decisions and safeguard their rights.
T: 01896 752 200 E: info@bordersadvocacy.org.uk
Helplines
NHS24 Mental Health Hub (24/7)
Urgent mental health support from NHS24 - support for if you or someone you're trying to help is in mental health distress. T: 111 and select mental health option
Breathing Space (16+)
A free and confidential helpline for anyone experiencing low mood, anxiety or depression or who is unusually worried and needs someone to talk to. Provided by NHS24. Open Monday - Thursday 6pm - 2am and weekends Friday 6pm - Monday 6am. T: 0800 83 85 87
Samaritans (24/7)
Free confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair. T: 116 123 E: jo@samaritans.org
Silverline (24/7)
Free, confidential telephone service for older people. Provides friendship, conversation and support. T: 0800 4 70 80 90
Childline (24/7)
Can listen or support children and young people up to age 19 with anything they’d like to talk about. T: 0800 1111
PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide - HOPELINE247
For children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. For anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. T: 0800 068 4141 (HOPELINE) [24/7] E: pat@papyrus-uk.org or Text – 07860039967
HOPELINE is also a Debrief Service for any professional who has had an experience supporting with suicide.
Digital
NHS Inform
NHS Scotland information about mental health and wellbeing including self-help guides and tools.
Kooth
Online emotional wellbeing support service for young people aged 11–18. Articles, personal experiences and tips.
Togetherall
Online community where people support each other. Anyone in the Scottish Borders aged 16+ can join the online community.
Self-Harm Network Scotland
Information, resources and compassionate support. Hosted by Penumbra. 12+
Stay Alive App
Information and tools to help you stay safe in a crisis or support someone in crisis. Free to download. Download on the App Store or Google Play.
Bereavement Support
Child Bereavement UK
Confidential support, information and guidance for individuals, families and professionals throughout the UK. T: 0800 02 888 40 (Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm) E: helpline@childbereavementuk.org
CRUSE
Provides professional support for bereaved adults, children and families across Scotland. Also provides support to workplaces where there has been a suicide. T: 0808 802 6161 (Monday - Friday 9am - 8pm, Weekends 10am - 2pm)
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
National helpline that provides support to people aged over 18 bereaved by suicide. Contact the local coordinator on scottishborders@uksobs.org to find out more about local group support. T: 0300 111 5065 (Monday - Thursday 9am -7 pm)
Connecting you to your community
ALISS (A Local Information System for Scotland) is a national database that can help you find information about services, groups and activities for health and wellbeing.
There are lots of Borders groups and organisations on ALISS so it's well worth taking a look and having a search for local services close to your postcode.
