Dorset Mind offers a countywide range of safe, wellbeing support services that can be tailored and mixed to meet your needs. They aim to develop and improve positive mental health for our participants.
We offer talking therapies (including support groups, peer support and counselling) and activity based groups that help get people moving. We are piloting a new ecotherapy wellbeing group in Dorchester, called The GAP Project, which if successful we’ll roll-out next year.
Our accredited 1-2-1 Befriending service for adults and children helps reduce their isolation. It’s for anyone who is ready to take active steps to work towards recovery goals. They will hope to improve confidence and increase self-esteem.
In addition, we’ve compiled a whole host of useful mental health resources and signposting to help you find the support you deserve. Our self-care resources are also at your fingertips, so that you can take steps to improve your own wellbeing.
Need Urgent Help?
If you or someone else is in serious risk of death or injury, call 999 and ask for police, fire and/or ambulance.
For other crisis situations, follow the link below.
Talking Support
We know that talking therapies work. We offer a wide range and number of support groups across Dorset from Verwood to Shaftesbury to Sherborne and Weymouth. They all have the shared aim: to reduce isolation and help people improve their wellbeing.
See below for the types of support we offer with a talking support format.
Wellbeing in Mind
A peer support service for people
that would like to develop positive mental health and wellbeing.
Women in Mind
Provides a safe, secure and understanding environment in which women with mental health problems can support each other.
Carers in Mind
A monthly support group to help carers take a break from caring and focus on themselves and their own self-care.
LGBT
MindOut is a safe, confidential and accepting space for LGBTQ+ people that want to develop positive mental health.
Blue Light
A wellbeing group for all ambulance, fire, police and search and rescue personnel and volunteers too.
Restored Eating Disorders
A peer-support discussion group which helps people to gain support from others who are experiencing similar challenges.
Other ways Dorset Mind can support you
Befriending
Our accredited 1-2-1 Befriending service
pairs trained volunteers with people
who have low to moderate
mental health difficulties.
Activity Support Group
Our activity support groups aim to encourage people with mild mental health difficulties to engage in increased activities to improve their wellbeing.
Counselling
We offer counselling in the following areas: Restored Eating Disorders,
Blue Light Emergency Services,
MindOut LGBT, and DMYH Young People.
Useful Resources
We know that we can’t always provide the support you need. But we can signpost you to local and national organisations and services. First appointments can also be very daunting – we can help you find the words to talk to your GP.
Follow the links below – we hope you get the support you deserve.
Your GP and You
Find out how to get the support you need in the few minutes you have with your GP. We’ve included some handy tips and videos to help you talk to your GP.
Helpful Mental Health Resources by Subject
Find details of useful organisations and resources sorted by subject here.
Local Services
Find local support in Dorset for your mental health issues listed here in alphabetical order.
Latest self care resources
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The Compassionate Mind Approach to Postnatal Depression: Using Compassion Focused Therapy to Enhance Mood, Confidence and Bonding
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Overcoming Binge Eating, 2nd Edition: The Proven Program to Learn Why You Binge and How You Can Stop
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Overcoming Mood Swings: A self-help guide using Cognitive Behavioural techniques
By Jan Scott Most people know what it is like to experience mood swings. For…
Body Image Problems and Body Dysmorphic Disorder: The Definitive Treatment and Recovery Approach
By Lauren Callaghan, Annemarie O'Connor, & Chloe Catchpole From the lived experience of Chloe Catchpole…
Getting Better Bite by Bite: A Survival Kit for Sufferers of Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorders
By Ulrike Schmidt, Janet Treasure & June Alexander Providing an essential, authoritative and evidence-based self-help…
