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Emotional support

Cancer is a life changing event that can leave people feeling distressed. Some people find being able to talk to someone outside your normal support network can be helpful. Free counselling is available at the Macmillan centre at UHS, cancer support centres across the region, including Wessex Cancer Trust centres and Jane Scarth House in Romsey.

Talking therapy, counselling and emotional support

  • iTalk is a Hampshire based NHS service offering talking therapies for common mental health concerns such as anxiety and depression - it is not a counselling service. It's free and you can self-refer on their website or calling 023 8038 3920.
  • Steps2wellbeing is a Dorset based NHS service (also covers Southampton area) offering a range treatments for people experiencing problems with low mood or depression, anxiety, stress or other common mental health problems. Visit their website here.
  • Relate provides counselling, support and information for all relationships.
  • Samaritans are a group of volunteers provide a 24 hour emotional support call centre. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.
  • Sane is a phone line providing emotional support daily between 6pm and 11pm - call 0845 767 8000.
  • Mind is a phone line providing information about mental health, treatment alternatives and for people to seek support or advocacy. This service is available 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Call 0300 123 3393, email info@mind.org.uk or text 8463.
  • Anxiety UK provides fast access to approved psychotherapists nationwide. It is a reduced-cost-scheme for members. Complimentary therapies are available. This service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.30pm. Call the helpline on 08444 775 774 or email info@anxietyuk.org.uk.
  • Rethink Mental Illness is a nationwide initiative that can be offered as a local service that emphasises on care for those who have severe mental illnesses. They offer an advice and information line, 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays). Call 0300 5000 927.
  • Useful apps include Stop, Breathe and Think and Insight Timer.

Family

  • A psychosexual counselling and therapy service is provided for anyone with sexual problems, regardless of marital status or sexual orientation. Sessions are 50 minutes long, structured as an open discussion and cover all kinds of topics that are age and gender appropriate. Sessions are held in Aldershot, Andover, Basingstoke, Portsmouth, Southampton and Winchester. Call 023 8071 6743 or visit Let's talk about it or The College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists.
  • Jane Scarth House, Romsey, has trained psychosexual counsellors.

Spiritual or religious concerns

There is a trust run chaplaincy service operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Information sheets for a variety of religions are available. Your clinical nurse specialist can also print online information sheets from our staffnet.

The chaplaincy team aims to provide safe, appropriate and confidential programmes of spiritual care that enables patients, family and friends to explore topics within their current life and begin to find strength, support and work towards goals and outcomes.

Based on D level, Southampton General Hospital, call the chaplaincy on 023 8120 8517 or email chaplaincy@uhs.nhs.uk.