Self-help for good mental health

It is normal to sometimes feel anxious or low, whatever your personal situation.  There are steps you can take to try and improve your mental health

This page signposts ways that you can help yourself. If you continue to have concerns about your mental health, please visit Mental health services and support.

The following resources have some tips on how to support and manage our own mental health and wellbeing.

Self-help mental health resources

Every Mind Matters

Every Mind Matters offers simple steps to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing:

Health In Mind resources

Mindfulness

  • NHS mindfulness gives you an introduction to mindfulness and links to resources

Mind relaxation tips

East Sussex 123 Walks

Exercise and getting out into green spaces if you can is good for your wellbeing. This site has short walking routes between 1 and 3 miles, with printer friendly maps and reasonable parking.

Dealing with loneliness

National Mind and Every Mind Matters have  advice and tips, and other places you can go for support.

Just Friends

Several free social groups across East Sussex for anyone who lives alone, offering an opportunity for friendship through activities including lunches, trips and walking groups.

East Sussex Health Walks

These are weekly walks all over East Sussex, and an opportunity to meet people and get some exercise in the great outdoors.

Phone services for wellbeing support

The Silver Line

A free, confidential telephone service for older people. Open 24/7.

Independent Age

An advice and support service for older people. Open weekdays, 8.30am to 6.30pm.

Mobilise Cuppa (for all carers)

Join other carers for a virtual cuppa and supportive chats twice a week. There is also lots of helpful information on their resources page.

Farming Community Network helpline:

A national helpline for farmers which offers a chance to talk to someone who understands the challenges. You can call between 7am and 11pm every day if you need help with stress, depression, alcohol or drug dependency, isolation or have other worries.

Mind Wellbeing projects in Hastings and Eastbourne

Workshops and information to support positive mental wellbeing, and awareness and understanding of mental health. The service works with young people who live in Hastings and Eastbourne, and people of any age with long-term conditions (such as a mental health condition or physical disability). 

There is further information and contact details on the Mind website.

Men’s mental health

Men's Health library resources

East Sussex Libraries share a collection of online tools and resources to support men's mental health and wellbeing.

Room to Rant (16-25s) rap and lyric workshops

A relaxed weekly space for young men to rap and get stuff off their chest, run by experienced and accomplished rappers. Now running in Eastbourne, with an online group for those who can't meet in person.

Men's mental health project

The Men's Mental Health Project in Hastings focusses on improving community support for men aged 30-59 years.

Men in Mind project

Helping public facing staff to have supportive conversations about men's mental health.

Mankind Support Group

Mankind was set up in 2020 by Eastbourne friends to help support men who have mental health worries, or just need someone to talk to without judgement.

Men's Sheds

Local spaces for men to connect, make friends and enjoy activities. There are groups all over East Sussex.

Podcasts about men's mental health

  • UK Men's mental health podcasts aiming to get men talking about mental health more: Manup!

National Peer Support Services

Side by Side (offered through national Mind)

A supportive online community, where you can feel at home talking about your mental health and connect with others who understand what you are going through. It's open to anybody who has an experience of mental health problems, or is closely connected to someone that has. It’s available 24/7 and moderated daily from 8.30am until midnight.

To join: Side by Side

Clic online peer support

Clic is an online community of people who have been affected by a mental health problem, where you can share experiences and find resources, advice and information.

Libraries services

East Sussex Libraries have pages on wellbeing with lots of resources and signposting. If you live or work in East Sussex you can also access free e-books and audiobooks.

Our libraries offer self-help books for people who are finding it difficult to cope or need advice on a specific emotional or mental health problem.

East Sussex College open courses

ESG offers adults (19 plus) community learning opportunities which are usually free and online.  You might want to boost your wellbeing by trying something new and creative or improving your employability.

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