Developing emotional resilience is important in dealing with life's ups and downs, however we realise that life can get so difficult that you may need help to deal with how you're feeling. There are a range of support services in place across Cumberland that offers free, impartial and confidential counselling services. These include the following:

First Steps:  provided by Cumbria Partnership Foundation NHS Trust. First Steps provides free talk therapies to people over the age of 18 across Cumberland. The service can help you with a range of mental health problems such as anger, sleeping problems or depression as examples. A range of sessions are available throughout the day so the service is flexible to your commitments. The service can be accessed through your GP or via an online / paper referral. More information can be found at Cumbria Partnership - First Step

Mind Counselling Services: Mind Cumbria offer district based counselling services to help people to access support within their local community. Mind have five offices, (Carlisle and Eden, West Cumbria, South Lakeland, Ulverston and Furness) that will help you to understand your issues and signpost you to appropriate help and support. 

PAC therapy: PAC or Promoting Autonomy and Change are a charity that operates from Carlisle that provides free counselling for young people. Sessions vary depending on the client's needs and the service accepts young people up to the age of 25 if they have left care. You can refer yourself to the service.

Kooth Online Counselling for under 18s: Kooth is an online counselling and emotional platform for children and young people under the age of 18 which is accessible through mobile, tablet and desktop which is free at the point of use. The service allows you to chat to councillors online, read articles on different issues that you may be facing written by other young people facing the same issues and get support from other young people.

Qwell Counselling for over 18s: Qwell is a free NHS backed counselling service for people who are over the age of 18. Qwell offer a confidential and online based service that provides an online chat service, messaging system and peer forums so you connect with other people. Qwell also offer a themed magazine so you can get more information on areas that you may be interested in.

Listening Works - support for care leavers: New national independent support for Care Leavers. Open when everywhere else is closed.  Got something you want to talk about? Our trained volunteers are ready to listen.  7 days a week - 6pm to midnight.  Telephone: 0808 802 0222.  Text message: 07860 065 169.

Run by the council, you will also have access to HAWCs or Health and Wellbeing Coaches. HAWCs are a referral service that can be accessed through your Personal Advisor and can take a wider view of you to advise what help and support is available to deal with problems early. More information on HAWCs can be found through Summary of Health and Wellbeing Coaches