Our Mental Health Guide
Leeds Autism AIM have produced a guide to local mental health and counselling services. It includes a list of places to get help in a crisis, text-based and online mental health support, how to apply for counselling funding through your GP and autism-specific counselling services in Leeds.
To download a copy, please click here: Autism AIM – Mental Health Guide (last updated 13/12/2023).
Autism AIM – Mental Health Equity Project
The Mental Health Equity Project is a sister project of Leeds Autism AIM. They run regular mental health-focused peer support groups, as well as performing audits of mental health inpatient settings across Leeds. Find out more about what they do here: Mental Health Equity Project
MindWell
MindWell is a mental health services website for people in the Leeds area. It has a list of mental health service providers throughout the city.
There are single points of access for mental health support in health and adult social care:
- Leeds Adult Social Care number: 0113 222 4401
- Health Single Point of Access number: 0300 300 1485
Help in a crisis
There are two drop-in services to access in case of a crisis. One is Dial House in Halton, LS15 and the other is Dial House @ Touchstone, which is in the Beeston, LS11 area. They are run by the Leeds Survivor-Led Crisis Service.
MindWell have a guide on their website about finding support in a mental health crisis on their website, available here: Finding support in a mental health crisis.
Dial NHS 111 for 24/7 crisis mental health support
If you, or someone you’re worried about, needs urgent care or treatment for a mental health crisis dial 111 and select the mental health option.
The launch of the NHS 111 mental health option in West Yorkshire has made access easier to the range of existing services supporting people experiencing a mental health crisis.
People experienced and trained in delivering mental health crisis support will listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need.
NHS 111 is not an emergency service. People should dial 999 in a mental health emergency.
Live Well Leeds
Live Well Leeds is a community-based mental health service, working across Leeds. They work with people aged 18 and over (17 and over if using transitions services) who have mild to moderate mental health needs. Their services include one-to-one support, group support, peer support and befriending opportunities.
They run a number of online support groups: https://livewellleeds.org.uk/support-groups/list/
For more information on Live Well Leeds, please visit their website here: https://livewellleeds.org.uk/
Leeds Mind – Peer Support
Leeds Mind will be running peer support for autistic adults, starting in June 2024. This includes an Online Men’s Autism Focus Group, which will help to develop a series of groups.
They will also be running a five-week Open Minds: Autism and My Mental Health Course, starting on Monday 17th June 2024 from 6pm-8pm at Clarence House, Horsforth. To book on this course, please click on this link: Open Minds Course
More information on Leeds Mind’s Peer Support offer can be found on their website: Leeds Mind – Peer Support
Online autism and mental health resources
- Autism AIM – Mental Health Equity Project: Autism and Mental Health Resources
- Mind – Mental Health and Autism
- MQ Mental Health – Five studies improving mental health in autism
- Autistica – Autism and mental health – a guide to looking after your mind
Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA)
The Advonet Group have Independent Mental Health Advocacy (IMHA) for people sectioned under the Mental Health Act and Community Advocacy services. If you would like more information or want to make a referral, you can:
- Visit The Advonet Group website – advonet.org.uk
- Call The Advonet Group’s First Contact number on 0113 244 0606
- Email [email protected]
- Make a referral – https://advonet.org.uk/referrals/all-services-referral-form/