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Mental health

How we support and work with partners across Torbay and South Devon.

Need Urgent Help?

If you need help now: Call 111 and select the mental health option

You can also contact:

Samaritans - call 116 123

Shout - text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

If someone is at risk right now call 999

If you, or know someone, is struggling and need mental health support, there are lots of services and organisations available to help you.

You are not alone. There’s always someone to talk to.

What is Mental Health?

Mental health is a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn and work well, and contribute to their community.

Mental health exists on a complex continuum, and experienced differently by everyone

Mental health conditions include mental disorders and psychosocial disabilities as well as other mental states associated with significant distress, impairment in functioning, or risk of self-harm.

(World Health Organisation, January 2026).

  • 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.
  • 1 in 5 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England. (NHS England data).
  • About 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 to 25 in England have a probable mental health problem. (NHS England).

Common signs you may need support

Mental health difficulties can affect people differently. Common signs include:

  • Feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed.
  • Changes in sleep patterns.
  • Loss of interest in activities you usually enjoy.
  • Changes in appetite.
  • Withdrawing from friends, family or work.
  • Increased use of alcohol or substances.
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

Visit Mental health conditions - NHS for more information and support

If these feelings persist or are affecting your daily life, support is available.

Mental Health support services

Local support in Torbay

Mental health services in Torbay are commissioned by NHS Devon.

Adult mental health services are primarily provided by Devon Partnership NHS Trust. Children and Family Health Devon delivers mental health and wellbeing services for children, young people and families.

Support services

There are many organisations, community groups and charities across Torbay and Devon offering support for mental health and wellbeing. Support can range from walking groups and peer support to counselling, therapy and specialist services. The services listed below are not exhaustive, so it is worth exploring other local options online or speaking to your GP, social prescriber or another healthcare professional, who can help connect you with support that best meets your needs.

Crisis and suicide prevention

The Moorings

Provides out-of-hours mental health support for adults in a safe, welcoming and non-clinical environment. Open 4pm to 10pm, seven days a week at Torbay Hospital, it offers emotional, practical and social support for adults experiencing, or at risk of, a mental health crisis. No appointment or referral is needed.

Samaritans

Offers free, confidential emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone experiencing distress, crisis or suicidal thoughts. Call 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

Provides free support for people struggling with life or their mental health. Open daily from 5pm to midnight via phone, webchat and WhatsApp. Call 0800 58 58 58.

NHS 111 – mental health crisis support

Mental health crisis support for adults, children and young people. Call 111 and select the mental health option.

Young people and education

Childline

Free, confidential support for children and young people up to their 19 birthday. Available 24/7 on 0800 1111.

Myway

Provides mental wellbeing support for young people across Devon, Plymouth and Torbay, including online support, drop-ins and counselling. Visit Young Devon.

YoungMinds

Offers mental health information, advice and support for young people, parents and carers.

Visit YoungMinds

Torbay Healthy Learning

Provides health and wellbeing resources, information and guidance for schools, children and young people. Torbay Healthy Learning

Local Community Support

Torbay Community Helpline

Connects people with local support for issues including financial wellbeing, mental health, foodbank referrals and befriending. Call 01803 446022 (weekdays, 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm).

What’s Your Problem?

Provides practical advice, advocacy and emotional support on issues such as benefits, housing, family matters, domestic abuse, court proceedings and access to legal advice. Support is confidential and tailored to individual needs. Call 01803 524044 or text 07710 119457 for a callback.

Support for families and Carers

Torbay Carers

Provides advice, practical support and wellbeing services for unpaid carers living in Torbay. Torbay Carers Service.

Bereavement Support

AtaLoss.org

Provides information, advice and support to help people cope with bereavement and find local services AtaLoss.org

Pete’s Dragons

Offers suicide bereavement support, counselling and peer support for individuals and families across Devon. Pete's Dragons.

General wellbeing and Mental Health

5 Ways to Wellbeing in Torbay and South Devon

Wellbeing advice, self-help resources and information about local support services.

5 Ways to Wellbeing in Torbay and South Devon

Every Mind Matters

NHS wellbeing resources, expert advice and personalised tools to help people look after their mental health. Every Mind Matters.

Mental Health Foundation

Offers information, resources and guidance to support mental wellbeing and prevent mental health problems. Mental Health Foundation.

Mind

Provides mental health information, advice and support, including guidance on a wide range of mental health conditions. We're Mind.

Rethink Mental Illness

Provides information, advice and support for people living with severe mental illness, as well as their families and carers. Rethink.

Learning and development

About these learning opportunities

These learning opportunities are designed for anyone working with or supporting others. They can help improve understanding of mental health and wellbeing, build confidence in supporting others, and promote personal wellbeing.

Opportunities include:

  • Online learning
  • Virtual and face-to-face training
  • Resources and practical tools
  • Peer support and lived experience learning

Courses may be free, funded or available at a cost.

Young People

Free online course exploring depression, low mood and how to support young people. 

Free online course focused on emotional wellbeing during adolescence.

Introduces trauma-informed approaches when supporting young people.

Explores body image, self-esteem and mental health in young people.

Provides practical skills for supporting children and young people during times of stress.

  • Minded (provides a variety of courses)

A collection of free learning resources on children and young people's mental health.

Training to support emotional wellbeing and resilience in children and young people.

Personal Wellbeing and Resilience

Evidence-based approaches to improving personal wellbeing.

Introduces mindfulness techniques to improve wellbeing and resilience.

Supports development of resilience skills for everyday life and work.

Supports people to improve health, wellbeing and self-management.

A range of wellbeing and recovery-focused courses and workshops.

Supporting your Mental Health in the workplace

Focuses on mental health awareness and support within the construction industry.

Develops knowledge and skills for managing stress and supporting mental wellbeing at work.

Supports wellbeing and self-care for health and care professionals.

Practical techniques to improve resilience and wellbeing in the workplace.

Mental health and Wellbeing

Training to support wellbeing conversations and behaviour change.

  • Connect 5

Evidence-based mental health and wellbeing training programme.

A range of wellbeing courses and support resources.

Suicide prevention training

Free online suicide awareness training suitable for anyone aged 16+.

Developed for those who want a deeper understanding of suicide prevention.

Half-day suicide alertness training that helps people recognise and respond to signs of suicide.  

Suicide awareness training for community members and front-line staff.

Introductory training focused on recognising risk and signposting support.

Suicide awareness training designed for barbers and community settings.

  • BarberTalk

Mental health and suicide prevention training delivered by The Lions Barber Collective.

Recognised mental health awareness and support training. Advanced qualification for those wanting to become a Mental Health First Aider.

Advanced two-day suicide intervention training programme.

Training focused on understanding bereavement and supporting others through grief.

Further information

Course availability, delivery methods and costs may change over time. Please visit the provider's website or contact the provider directly for the latest information and booking details.

For more information about what is available in Torbay please email publichealth@torbay.gov.uk