Gloucestershire County Council has announced the first in a series of new mental health services, designed to help people during the Coronavirus pandemic.
This new service called Qwell, provided by XenZone, is a lifeline for many adults in need of mental health support.
The picture can be complicated: you may be struggling with social determinants such as smoking, bad housing or unemployment which may be playing a major role in your wellbeing. You may be a carer and you may be living with entrenched problems or long-term conditions. You may be coping with anxiety or depression.
Anyone over 18 in Gloucestershire can now access free anonymous counselling from qualified counsellors via an online, chat based platform by visiting:
Chats can be accessed through a drop-in service or booked sessions; there is no referral needed from a health professional, no waiting lists and no criteria to meet to get support.
The site has a range of self-help tools; including friendly online discussion boards to connect with people have similar experiences, journals and goal trackers, and self-help articles with the option to contribute your own experiences or advice.