Mental health support

Emergency contacts

• Call 999 for an ambulance, or
• Go straight to A&E, if you can, or
• Call your local NHS crisis team:

Cynon Valley
01685 721721 (ext: 26952 / 26953)

Rhondda and Taff Ely
01443 443712 (ext: 4903 9am – 5pm or 6388 out of hours)

Cardiff
111 (option 2)

If you can’t do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.

Mental health problems are common.

One in four people will experience some form of problem with their mental health in a year.

This guide offers some tips for things you can do you look after your mental health. However, we also encourage you to get professional help. We’ve put some information about services you can contact below.

How to look after your mental health

Connect with others:

Reach out to friends, family, or neighbours for a chat or a walk. Social connections are essential for mental wellbeing, and they don’t cost a thing. If you can’t meet in person, make time for a video call or message chat.

Stay physically active:

Doing physical activity positively affects mental health in various ways. Think about what you like doing, and what you’re able to do, when choosing enjoyable and safe activities. Options include outdoor walks, online workout videos, or joining classes at a local leisure centre. Find what suits you for a healthier mind and body.

Practice mindfulness:

Take a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing or notice the world around you. Mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve your mental health, and it doesn’t require any special equipment or expense.

Get enough sleep:

Poor sleep can have a negative impact on your mental health. Make sure you are getting enough sleep (7-9 hours per night). Don’t look at a screen just before bedtime and develop a bedtime routine to help you fall asleep easily.

Eat well:

Eating regularly, and eating foods that release energy slowly, can help to keep your sugar levels steady and stop you feeling tired, irritable or depressed. Try eating brown rice, brown pasta, eggs, tinned or dried fruit, milk and cheese to stay healthy. Avoid too much sugar, caffeine and alcohol.

Seeking help for a mental health problem

Getting help is usually the first move toward feeling better, but figuring out where to begin can be tough. It’s normal to feel uncertain and wonder if you should deal with things alone. Remember, it’s perfectly okay to ask for help, even if you’re not sure what’s going on with your mental health.

Getting help might be challenging, especially when you’re not feeling well. It can be a process that takes time and isn’t always simple. Just know you’re not by yourself, and you deserve support.

How can your landlord help?

Struggles with mental wellbeing might make it harder to manage your tenancy. It could be challenging to keep up with rent payments or handle responsibilities like maintenance.

Communicating openly with landlords and seeking support can be crucial in maintaining a stable housing situation during tough times.

At Trivallis, we have support services for tenants who are finding it hard to cope for whatever reason.

What other help is out there?

There are many local charities and organisations who provide helplines, listening services, counselling, information and signposting.

For a list of local organisations that provide mental health support in RCT visit Mental Health Support Services » My Mental Health CTM

For a list of local organisations that provide mental health support in Cardiff visit CC1183-Cavamh-Directory-A5-2022-23-V3.indd

For a wealth of factsheets and information visit the mental health charity Mind https://www.mind.org.uk/