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LOW-COST COUNSELLING & MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN OXFORDSHIRE
If private counselling isn't an option for you or you'd like to consider other options first, here are a range of free and low-cost counselling and mental health services locally. All are located near Bicester, Oxfordshire, OX26, though please bear in mind that they may be subject to eligibility criteria and waiting lists.
Important note: if you are in crisis, please contact 999, 111 or the Samaritans for immediate support. Your GP can also help with non-urgent support, including diagnosing mental health conditions, prescribing medication and referring you onto NHS mental health services.
TalkingSpace Plus (Oxfordshire IAPT)
www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/talkingspaceplus
TalkingSpace Plus is Oxfordshire's free NHS mental health service. It offers a range of support for common mental health problems, most of which is delivered digitally, often through group sessions or self-help programmes. You can self-refer by completing this online form.
Oxfordshire Mind
Oxfordshire Mind has a range of resources and local mental health information on its website. It also offers free, condential 'option sessions' to discuss mental health and help you find you the right kind of support; these 25 minute sessions take place via phone or in-person, and you can self-refer.
Oxford Safe Haven
www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/service_description/oxford-safe-haven
Oxford Safe Haven is a non-clinical space offering crisis support, signposting, safety planning and listening support. It offers small group and individual support, via phone, online and face-to-face. It's open seven days a week, from 11:30am until 10pm.
Banbury Safe Haven
www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/service_description/banbury-safe-haven
Banbury Safe Haven is an out-of-hours space offering crisis support, signposting, safety planning and listening support over the weekend. It is open on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday between 6pm and 10pm.
Restore
Restore is an Oxfordshire-based mental health charity that supports people to take control of their recovery, develop skills and lead meaningful lives. It offers recovery groups, training and employment coaching.
Clean Slate
Clean Slate focuses on supporting people who have suffered physical, mental, domestic or sexual abuse, helping with any subsequent mental health problems. It offers counselling and support groups.
Oxford Parent-Infant Project (OXPIP)
OXPIP offers intensive therapeutic help for Oxfordshire-based parents and their babies in the first two years of life. It offers group and individual parent-infant sessions, and accepts self-referrals.
Oxfordshire Sexual Abuse & Rape Crisis Centre (OSARCC)
OSARCC is a feminist organisation which supports survivors of sexual abuse, rape, domestic abuse and harassment. It offers a free and confidential service to survivors who are dealing with the effects of sexual violence, and to anyone who is supporting them.
Oxford Student Mental Health Network (OSMHN)
OSMHN is a partnership between local education institutions and health service providers, focusing on student mental health in Oxford. Its website includes resources and advice for students experiencing mental health difficulties.
Oxfordshire Recovery College
www.oxfordshirerecoverycollege.org.uk
Oxfordshire Recovery College provides an educational approach to recovery. It offers free courses covering mental health, life skills and wellbeing, all designed to help support people recovering from or supporting people with mental health difficulties.
Connection Support
www.connectionsupport.org.uk/mental-health-service
Connection Support helps adults in Oxfordshire, who are experiencing an enduring mental health problem, to recover and live independently. Its home-based support is provided as part of the Oxfordshire Mental Health Partnership.
The Listening Centre
The Listening Centre provides low-cost counselling to people who are otherwise unable to afford it. It is based in Blackbird Leys in East Oxford.
Cherwell Video Healthy Groups
www.canosn.org.uk/bicester-healthy-groups/about-bicester-healthy-groups
These free 90-minute group 'clinics' allow you to meet other people experiencing similar difficulties, alongside a group facilitator and GP. Sessions cover a range of health and mental health conditions.
Dance Creative
Dance Creative offers free dance sessions for people living with a long-term condition. Sessions are designed to be fun and to help improve health and wellbeing.
Bridewell Gardens
A mental health recovery service in rural West Oxfordshire, poviding social and therapeutic horticulture for adults in a working garden.
Are there other free and low-cost local mental health services? Let me know and I'll be happy to add them to this list.