If you’re feeling anxious or worried, it’s important to look after yourself.
There’s information and advice online with tips and simple steps you can take to look after your wellbeing and mental health. There are also helplines you can contact if you are worried and would like to speak to someone.
Information about support services for deaf people and BSL users is listed below.
If you have noticed a change in your tinnitus due to anxiety or stress, see our information on managing tinnitus and stress.
Online help and support
- Mind have resources on how you can look after your wellbeing
- Mental Health Foundation has information and advice on mental health
- Samaritans has gathered some resources that may be helpful if you are feeling anxious
- Rethink Mental Illness has an online hub with practical support and information.
Helplines
- The NHS has a list of helplines and support groups that may be able to help if you are worried about your mental health.
- SignHealth has a free crisis text service for Deaf people.
- You can contact Samaritans for free by phone, email or post.
If you have any worries about managing your hearing loss or tinnitus, you can also contact us.
Relay UK and speech to text (STT) apps
Relay UK
If you are making a call, you may find it useful to use Relay UK. Relay UK uses a live relay assistant to help people who are Deaf, have hearing loss or who are speech-impaired communicate over the phone.
Speech to text (STT) apps
You may also find speech to text apps or software helpful. They allow you to read a transcription of everything that is said in a conversation.
Speech to text apps include:
Last year we asked 40 people who have hearing loss to help us test some speech to text apps. Read our review of speech-to-text apps.
Mental health support for deaf people and BSL users
Accessing mental health support services can be difficult if BSL is your first or preferred language. These organisations can help.
- The British Society for Mental Health and Deafness lists what support services are available for deaf people cross the UK.
- SignHealth offers therapy and counselling held in BSL by deaf people. You can ask for a referral from your GP or refer yourself, by expressing interest via their website.