How to access mental health and wellbeing support digitally

Not everyone wants to open up face-to-face even if they’re struggling, but that doesn’t mean you can’t access the support you need. There are a range of digital assets available to help you navigate your way back to a more resilient place at a pace that suits you.

Ben

Automotive charity Ben serves the industry, delivering a range of support that’s easy to access no matter what your circumstances are.

For people who need support Ben’s SilverCloud digital platform could be the tool to help you, or someone you know, through challenging times. SilverCloud uses an evidence based, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy approach that focuses on the relationship between our thoughts, feelings and behaviours. It’s approaches could help you develop positive coping strategies to better deal with life’s challenges.

There are lots of different programs available on SilverCloud. The individual programs are called ‘spaces’ and each space has a range of interactive tools such as videos, activities, quizzes, audio guides as well as a personal online support journal.

You can use SilverCloud on your own or you can choose to be supported as you work through your chosen program(s). But what’s important is that you can work through the programs at your own pace, without feeling any pressure.

The platform has been designed to cater for different age groups, so there are different SilverCloud programs available for adults (18yrs+) and for younger people (16yrs+), with programs tailored to each group.

[M]enable

Sometimes people want to talk, but standing in front of someone and opening up can be daunting. It can often be easier to discuss the challenges you’re facing online, still bringing others into the conversation, but without the pressure.

Another automotive organisation, [M]enable is working to build a community that can support one another in times of need.

It has created an automotive support group where you can connect with colleagues, friends and other professionals from across the sector to discuss issues and find hints, tips and updates, courses and webinars to help you through difficult times.

Samaritans

The Samaritans charity offers a self-help app that can help guide you through how you're feeling, and get recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better and stay safe in a crisis.

Samaritans Self-Help to provide a type of support that you can use without having to discuss your feelings with someone else. Using it will help you to learn safe, memorable techniques for coping with things that are troubling you, through a range of interactive features. It can also help you plan, and keep track of things you can do away from the app to help yourself feel better.

It’s available across platforms – as a web app on your computer when you use a browser or can be installed on your computer or smart device – making it easily accessible no matter where you are.

We can all face challenges with life throwing up numerous difficulties, but there are resources available that can help you navigate through them.