Your mental health matters. You are not alone, and support is available.
Looking after your mental health is just as important as looking after your physical health.
We all experience times when life feels challenging. Stress, anxiety, low mood, relationship difficulties, bereavement and changes in our personal circumstances can all affect how we think and feel.
At our practice, we understand that talking about mental health can sometimes feel difficult. We want you to know that you don’t have to face these challenges alone.
Whether you’re struggling with your mental health, concerned about someone close to you, or simply looking for ways to improve your emotional wellbeing, we’re here to help you find the right support.
Small steps. Stronger mind. Brighter future.
Understanding Your Mental Health
Mental health affects how we think, feel, behave and cope with everyday life. It can influence our relationships, sleep, work, physical health and overall quality of life.
Everyone experiences changes in their mental wellbeing, and it’s normal to have periods when life feels more difficult.
Some common signs that you may benefit from additional support include:
- Feeling worried, anxious or overwhelmed
- Experiencing persistent sadness or low mood
- Losing interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Changes in sleep, appetite or energy levels
- Finding it difficult to concentrate or make decisions
- Feeling isolated, lonely or disconnected from others
- Struggling to cope with everyday responsibilities
- Feeling increasingly irritable, stressed or frustrated
If these feelings continue, become worse or begin to affect your everyday life, it’s important to seek support.
You don’t need to wait until things become overwhelming before asking for help.
Your Practical Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing
Understand your mind. Take care of yourself. Find support when you need it.
We are pleased to share our Practical Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing, a free, illustrated information booklet designed to help you better understand your mental health and take positive steps towards improving your wellbeing.
The guide brings together clear, easy-to-understand information, helpful self-care advice, practical wellbeing exercises and details of support services available across Boston and Lincolnshire.
Whether you’re experiencing mental health difficulties yourself or supporting a friend or family member, the booklet offers information and guidance that you can explore at your own pace.
What’s Inside the Guide?
Understanding anxiety, low mood and depression
Learn about common mental health difficulties, recognise possible signs and symptoms, and understand when it may be helpful to seek professional advice.
Antidepressant medication
Find general information about how antidepressants work, what to expect when starting treatment, possible side effects and why it can take time to notice improvements.
Self-care and everyday wellbeing
Discover practical ways to look after your mental health, including staying connected, being physically active, maintaining healthy routines, managing stress and making time for activities you enjoy.
Understanding the connection between physical and mental health
Explore how physical health conditions, hormonal changes and nutritional deficiencies can sometimes affect your mood, energy and emotional wellbeing.
Practical tools for managing stress
The guide introduces two helpful techniques:
- The Circle of Control, which encourages you to focus on the things you can influence rather than those outside your control.
- The Stress Bucket, which helps you recognise the pressures building up in your life and identify healthy ways to manage them.
Your personal mental health action and care plans
The booklet also includes practical planning tools to help you recognise early warning signs, identify helpful coping strategies, set personal wellbeing goals and understand when to reach out for additional support.
Local mental health and wellbeing services
Find information about organisations, charities and NHS services providing mental health support across Boston and Lincolnshire.
Read the Guide Online
You can explore the booklet at your own pace, revisit sections whenever you need them and share the resource with someone who may find it helpful.
Open the Practical Guide to Mental Health and Wellbeing
This booklet provides general information and self-help guidance. It does not replace individual medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please speak to a healthcare professional if you have concerns about your mental health or medication.
How Your GP Practice Can Help
If you’re experiencing difficulties with your mental health, please contact the practice to arrange an appointment.
Your GP or another appropriate member of our healthcare team can listen to your concerns, discuss how you’re feeling and help you explore suitable treatment and support options.
Depending on your needs, support may include:
- Advice on managing your mental health and wellbeing
- Access to NHS talking therapies
- Discussion of medication where appropriate
- Assessment of physical health concerns that may be contributing to your symptoms
- Referral to specialist mental health services where needed
- Information about community and voluntary support organisations
We aim to provide a caring, understanding and non-judgemental environment where you can speak openly about your concerns.
You don’t need to know exactly what’s wrong or what help you need before contacting us. Taking the first step and starting a conversation is enough.
For more information, please feel free to explore the links below. We hope you find them helpful!
If you’re experiencing anxiety, depression, stress or other common mental health difficulties, NHS Lincolnshire Talking Therapies may be able to help.
The service provides free, evidence-based psychological therapies for people aged 16 and over who are registered with a GP in Lincolnshire and meet the service’s eligibility criteria.
You can refer yourself directly without needing to see your GP first.
Telephone: 0303 123 4000
Find out more and self-refer to Lincolnshire Talking Therapies
There are small, positive steps you can take to support your mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Stay connected
Spending time with friends, family or people you trust can help reduce feelings of loneliness and provide emotional support.
Keep physically active
Regular movement, such as walking, gardening or gentle exercise, can help improve mood, reduce stress and support better sleep.
Create healthy routines
Try to maintain regular sleeping patterns, eat balanced meals and make time for rest and relaxation.
Make time for things you enjoy
Hobbies, creative activities, spending time outdoors or learning something new can provide a sense of enjoyment and achievement.
Manage everyday pressures
Recognising what causes you stress and using simple coping strategies can help prevent feelings of being overwhelmed.
Be kind to yourself
Remember that everyone has difficult days. Progress takes time, and small steps can make a meaningful difference.
Ask for help when you need it
You don’t have to manage everything alone. Talking to someone and seeking support early can help you move towards feeling better.
longside support from your GP practice, there are local organisations and services that can provide information, practical guidance and opportunities to connect with others.
Mind Lincolnshire
Provides mental health information and support, helping people understand their mental wellbeing and access appropriate services.
Shine Lincolnshire
A local mental health and wellbeing charity helping people connect with services, community activities and support networks across Lincolnshire.
Centenary Wellbeing Hub – Boston
A welcoming community wellbeing hub offering social activities, mental health support, opportunities to connect with others and signposting to additional services.
Location: Centenary Methodist Church, Red Lion Street, Boston, PE21 6NY.
Find out more about Centenary Wellbeing Hub
How Are You Lincolnshire?
An online directory helping people discover local groups, activities, wellbeing resources and support services in their communities.
Explore How Are You Lincolnshire
Support for Children and Young People
Children and young people can also experience anxiety, low mood, emotional difficulties and other mental health concerns.
Lincolnshire’s Here4You advice line provides mental health and emotional wellbeing advice for children, young people, parents and carers.
Telephone: 0800 234 6342
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Samaritans
Free, confidential emotional support for anyone who is struggling or needs someone to talk to.
Call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day.
Shout
Free, confidential, 24/7 text support for people struggling to cope.
Text SHOUT to 85258.
NHS Every Mind Matters
Practical NHS advice and resources to support mental wellbeing, manage anxiety, improve sleep and cope with stress.
If You Need Urgent Mental Health Help
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek help as soon as possible.
For urgent mental health support:
Call NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health.
This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with mental health professionals who can provide advice and support.
If someone’s life is in immediate danger:
Call 999 or attend your nearest Emergency Department.
You are not wasting anyone’s time by asking for help.