Need urgent mental health help?

If you feel unable to keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E.

If you need urgent mental health support but it is not a life-threatening emergency, call NHS 111 Wales and choose option 2.

You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time, day or night.

Emotional health is about how we think, feel and behave. Looking after your emotional health is just as important as looking after your physical health.

Good emotional wellbeing can help you feel more able to cope with daily life, work, relationships and difficult times. Everyone’s emotional health can change, and it is okay to ask for help.

Mental wellbeing support in Wales

Free and confidential mental health and wellbeing support is available across Wales, online and by phone. You do not always need a referral to get help.

View NHS 111 Wales mental wellbeing support View Public Health Wales support

Ways to look after your emotional health

Small steps can help protect your wellbeing. You could try:

  • keeping active and moving in a way that works for you
  • eating a healthy, balanced diet
  • drinking alcohol sensibly
  • learning ways to relax
  • keeping in touch with family, friends, colleagues or other support networks
  • talking about your feelings with someone you trust
  • getting outside or doing activities that help you feel connected

Sometimes difficult events can affect emotional health. This may include work stress, anxiety, bereavement, relationship problems, money worries, loneliness, trauma, illness or caring responsibilities.

These things can affect confidence, mood, sleep, relationships and daily life. If you are worried about your emotional health, speak to your GP practice. Talking to family or friends may also help.

Helpful information and self-help resources

These trusted resources can help you learn more about mental health, stress and wellbeing:

Community Advice and Listening Line, also known as CALL

CALL offers a confidential listening and emotional support service for people in Wales. It can also provide information about mental health and related matters.

Anyone concerned about their own mental health, or the mental health of a relative or friend, can contact the service.

Freephone: 0800 132 737, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Text: text help to 81066.

Visit the CALL website

Samaritans

Samaritans offers confidential emotional support to anyone experiencing distress or despair, including feelings that may lead to suicide.

Call: 116 123, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123. This is free to call during opening hours.

Visit the Samaritans website

Mind information line and Mind support

Mind can offer confidential help and information about mental health problems, where to get help, medication, advocacy and other support.

Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.

Text: 86463.

Visit the Mind website

Mind Active Monitoring Wales, a guided self-help course that can support people with anxiety, depression, self-esteem, stress, loneliness, anger, grief and loss.

Book Prescription Wales and Reading Well

Book Prescription Wales helps people with mild to moderate emotional problems use high-quality self-help books selected by psychologists and counsellors working in Wales.

A GP or other health professional may recommend a therapy book, which can be borrowed from libraries across Wales.

Reading Well in Wales also offers recommended reading and digital resources to help people understand and manage health and wellbeing. This includes support for adults, children and young people.

Read the Book Prescription Wales leaflet View Reading Well in Wales
Support for children and young people

Children and young people may find it difficult to talk about their emotions. Reading a book or trusted online resource may help them understand their feelings and learn ways to cope.

Support may be helpful for topics such as:

  • bereavement
  • divorce or family changes
  • bullying
  • low self-esteem
  • depression or low mood
  • puberty
  • anger

Books and resources may be recommended by GPs, parents, carers, school counsellors, school nurses, teachers, youth centre staff and others who support young people.

Many books are available from local libraries and can be borrowed free of charge.

Find health, wellbeing and support services near you

The NHS 111 Wales Health, Wellbeing and Support Directory includes local and national groups that can help people who:

  • want advice and information about health conditions
  • want to make healthier lifestyle choices
  • want social support to reduce isolation
  • want to stay active in the community
  • are looking for local groups, classes or activities

You can search for support groups, walking groups, dance classes, arts and crafts clubs, evening classes and other local services.

Search the NHS 111 Wales Health, Wellbeing and Support Directory