Please or to access all these features

Mental health

Mumsnet hasn't checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have medical concerns, please seek medical attention.

Charity counseling

9 replies

Vitallyli · 14/11/2021 22:51

Hi
I wonder if anyone can recommend a charity counseling service? I looked it up but there are quite a few. I'm on maternity leave and can't afford paying for private counseling. I'm helping DH battle his depression and trauma while taking care of the baby. There's no one I can talk to about this as it's all his private business and I can't talk about to my friends or family who all knows him of course. Any suggestions would be so welcome.

OP posts:
Vitallyli · 15/11/2021 09:30

Bumping

OP posts:
greencats · 15/11/2021 09:34

Hi,
Either your partner's GP can refer to NHS counselling or in my area you can self refer, although the waiting lists may be long. Def worth speaking to GP first. The Samaritans is a listening service and can be called for free 24/7 on 116123.
Another place to try is local colleges who often offer discounted counselling rates.
Good luck

Awakeupnorth · 15/11/2021 18:34

Hi @Vitallyli,
It sounds incredibly tough and quite isolating.

Is it okay to ask which part of UK you're in - e.g. England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or even broad region or county as things are often different in different places.

Are you looking for face to face services, or remote by phone or video conferencing?

Vitallyli · 15/11/2021 22:03

@Awakeupnorth and @greencats thank you both for replying. I'm in Devon. Phone or even online would be okay. My partner hasn't contacted GP yet and battling his issues on his own. I can't convince him so just waiting till he's ready. So it must be self referring I guess.

OP posts:
Awakeupnorth · 15/11/2021 23:59

@Vitallyli I'm nowhere near your area, and options/services may be very different, but I'm wondering if sharing the kind of organisations I'd be looking for based on what you've said might help.

Not counselling, but Home-Start - most areas /counties have one (volunteer support for families under stress, with at least 1 child under 5).

Family Lives helpline may be a useful first contact - have details for other organisations.

Health visitor, maternal mental health services - or organisations they know.

SSAFA - if either of you have been in forces.

Hubofhope.co.uk (kind of an online directory) might have more specific details (keyword/topic and area search).

Your local health authority webpage may have details of health and wellbeing services - including those they fund in charity sector.

Your local / Devon council for voluntary organisations or voluntary action may have directories of local organisations.

NHS may have a community based listening service (using trained volunteers).

Some organisations also offer support for partners/spouses/family members too.

Hope there's something there that might be a starting point. Some organisations/workers are very knowledgeable and great at signposting on, if they're not the right service for you - but it can be variable.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 16/11/2021 00:04

Your local area might have a hub for carers. It sounds like you have a caring role.
They will possibly have a support worker you can talk to, rather than counselling, but it might help.

SuperLoudPoppingAction · 16/11/2021 00:07

www.devon.gov.uk/care-and-health/carers/the-carers-offer-in-devon/

saltandherbsandnothingnice · 16/11/2021 00:09

Some women's orgs do counselling for women I think. Womankind and Woman's Trust perhaps? Might not be free but reduced

Vitallyli · 16/11/2021 00:21

Thank you everyone! It's a great starting point!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page