Mental health is about how we feel, think and behave. Our mental wellbeing can vary, and people can experience a range of different symptoms and difficulties.

It’s not always easy to know what to do if you’re worried about your mental health. There’s a lot of support available in the city, however, including many options you can access directly. People in Leeds are encouraged to ask for help when they need it. 

MindWell can help you explore the options and find the right help for you.

Finding effective ways of managing self-harm can often involve changing a pattern of behaviour which may have been adopted over a period of time. This may take time and the right support. Some people fear that they might be judged, misunderstood or pressurised into stopping before they’re ready, and self-harm in private for a long time before seeking help.

Talk to a GP

Talk to a GP who can take you through different options for support with you and refer you to other services that can help.

Help for issues affecting wellbeing

There may be situations or relationships which lead to the distress that you can feel at times. For example, domestic abuse, sexual violence, relationship problems or childhood experiences. These issues may be difficult to start to understand and manage. You may find it helpful to work through this with professional help. You can find information about available support for a range of issues through our directory.

Finding support without a professional referral

Battle Scars – runs survivor-led groups which provide support to people who self-harm (includes eating disorders), their carers and families. Battle Scars runs several adult support groups (each running every 2 weeks), a group for 16 to 25 year olds, and a new daytime group for people aged 50 and over starts on 27 September 2024. Groups are currently running online via Zoom and have limited places (12 including two facilitators). They also have a Facebook support group. Online groups include:

  • Groups for people who self-harm.
  • Parents and carers groups.
  • Inbetweeners group for people who struggle with urges but either do not act on them or only rarely self-harm.

Battle Scars also runs FRESH, which gives you the opportunity to talk about what’s going on for you with a peer support worker. People aged 18 and over can refer themselves or be referred for a one-off return phone call (up to 50 minutes long) from a peer who understands self-harm. It offers you a chance to talk openly, gain a FRESH perspective to help you manage your self-harm, whether it’s your first contact with Battle Scars or you’ve used their services before. FRESH is not a helpline and is one-off call with no follow-up. Battle Scars suggest you access their other services for ongoing support.

Calm Harm – an app designed to help people resist or manage the urge to self-harm. Calm Harm is private and password protected.

CHERISH – a website for people supporting students who self-harm. It has information for family, friends and carers as well as professionals working with students.

Harmless – national online support portal for people who self-harm, their carers and families and professionals.

The Women’s Self Injury Helpline – for women of any age and their friends, families and carers – 0808 800 8088, open Tuesday to Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Self Injury Support – national organisation that supports girls and women affected by self-injury or self-harm.

Side by Side – a supportive, safe online community, run by Mind, where you can listen, share and be heard.