Boost your mental health online

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we look at the many ways to access support online. From online communities, apps and videos, to virtual support groups and digital courses, there are several ways to boost your wellbeing.

Join an online community

Feeling connected to others can reduce loneliness and do wonders for your mental health, especially if you have shared experiences. Some online communities include:

Side by Side – Mind’s online community for over-18s, which allows you to connect with other users 24/7.

SANE's Support Forum – a community run by the charity SANE.

Childline's message boards – a community for children and young people aged up to 19 years old, run by Childline.

Bipolar UK eCommunity – a supportive online forum for everyone affected by bipolar.

Beat message boards – a community for people affected by eating disorders, including message boards for under 18s, over 18s, and another for people supporting someone else with an eating disorder.

Try online therapy

Online therapy – also known as e-therapy, internet psychotherapy, or distance therapy – gives you the opportunity to speak to a therapist or counsellor online, without having to meet them face to face. It’s ideal if you’re unable to travel to a therapist’s office, for practical or emotional reasons, as you can do it from the comfort of your own home.

To find out more about private online therapy, visit the UKCP website or the BACP website. Alternatively, for free online therapy via the NHS, visit the NHS’s psychological therapies (IAPT) services page.

Download an app

There are many apps that you can use to help support your mental health, including:

• Headspace – a science-backed mindfulness and meditation app.
• Thrive – a wellbeing platform which helps to manage stress, anxiety and low mood.
• My Possible Self – an app featuring a wide range of tools to promote happiness and wellbeing, which is clinically certified and approved by the NHS.
• WorryTree – an app for anxiety and overthinking using cognitive behavioural therapy techniques.
• Chill Panda – an app which uses breathing exercises, distracting techniques and worry management.
• Wysa – a therapist chatbot app which also provides courses including how to cope with anxiety, depression and self-esteem.

 Need support right now?

If you or someone that you care for is having extreme mental health difficulties, you may need to get help very quickly. Find out more about the support available by visiting Essex County Council's website, which lists where you can get emergency or crisis help for mental health.