Living with a health condition can be difficult, and can evoke a wide range of strong emotions. You may feel angry, anxious or sad about your personal situation and your health, or you may find yourself getting angry, anxious or sad about things that you wouldn’t usually feel so strongly about.
Having strong, difficult feelings at times of threat or uncertainty, is a normal, understandable, human experience. However, if you notice that your emotions are causing you or others distress, you might benefit from learning new ways of coping. This is something you can speak to your cardiac team and your G.P. about. They will be able to refer you to appropriate support if needed. We have also created a list below of resources that might be useful.
The Keeping Me Well website has a range of information and advice available to help support your health and wellbeing. Whether you are preparing for treatment, managing a long-term condition or looking to live a healthier and more active life.
Ask to speak to your Cardiac Specialist Nurse about psychological or emotional support services available. We have clinical psychologists based within our network. They are based in Bristol and Cardiff and also available for virtual work. Call: 02921 844 580 or 07966 982 995.
There is an ACHD Network psychologist available for patients who live in South Wales and South West England who your ACHD team can refer you to.
The ACHD Charity ‘The Somerville Foundation’ offer a free Mental Health and Wellbeing service. They offer 1:1 telephone and email support, have a wealth of information on emotional and mental health issues, and can help put you in touch with local resources and services. Email: admin@thesf.org.uk or Call: 0300 015 1998.
The British Heart Foundation offer a ‘Heart Helpline’ and can provide you with information and support on anything heart-related. Call: 0300 330 3311 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
Silver Cloud’ Online psychological therapy is an online cognitive behavioural therapy programme that can help you with feelings of anxiety and depression. It is now available free of charge for any Welsh NHS patients. You will need to create a free account to access this resource. Visit the SilverCloud website.
Your GP should be also able to refer you to local counselling and psychological service. For more persistent or severe mental health issues, your GP can refer you for assessment by your local Adult Mental Health Service.
Mind Charity have a wealth of support, information and resources and offer free NHS talking therapy/ counselling sessions (through referral from your GP). Visit the Mind website or Call: 0300 123 3393.
Living Life To The Full offers free online mental health resources for both professionals and patients. Visit the Living life to the full website
Youth Counselling Services: Based in your local area, sometimes run by the local authority or by a charity. These vary across the country and in the age group that can access the service. Quite often young people can refer themselves.
College or University Student Support Service: Based at the college or university attended. Your local Council usually lists local agencies that provide counselling on their website, alternatively, telephone them or ask at the local library.
Your GP practice will also be aware of local council voluntary/charitable organisations.
If you are able to pay, there are many counsellors and psychotherapists that work privately. It is important to check out that the counsellor or therapist is properly qualified. Here is a list of organisations that you can use to find counselling services in your area:
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) publishes directories of individual counsellors and counselling organizations through the UK. Call: 0870 443 5252 or visit the BACP website.
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) provides information on how to find a therapist in your area. BABCP also produces information on depression, anxiety, panic attacks and phobias. Call: 0161 797 4484 or visit the BABCP website.
British Psychological Society (BPS) provides a searchable database of chartered psychologists in the UK. Call: 0116 254 9568 or visit the BPS website.
When we are under times of stress or high threat, it is important to make time to engage in activities that calm or soothe us. This is different for everyone. It might be having a nice bath, going for a walk or cooking something new. It could be calling a friend for a chat, or working on a new project. It’s about finding what works for you. These activities are often the things we stop when life is busy of difficult, but they can help us to cope with any challenges we face.
Some people find it helpful to engage in mindful activities. These are activities that help us to focus on the present, rather than focusing on the past or worrying about the future. This can involve listening to recordings, but you can also go for a mindful walk or engage in mindful activities such as cooking, gardening or drawing. Sometimes, we can find being mindful uncomfortable. Don’t do more than you feel you can manage, and if it feels okay, try to do it every day. Please see our separate resource on ‘mindfulness’