Mental health advice and support

If someone you know is in immediate danger of taking their life, dial 999.

AskSARA – Advice and support to help with daily living

By answering a few questions, AskSARA will provide personalised advice about equipment for health, assistive technology and daily living ideas. This service is free and there is no sign-up required.

Crisis support

Visit the Berkshire Mental Health Crisis Team website.

Local support

If you are struggling with depression or any mental health issue, you could:

Free support and emotional wellbeing programme for parents and families

Local residents are being offered free access to an NHS-backed support and emotional wellbeing programme, which contains a suite of online learning resources designed for parents, families, young people and children

Developed by NHS psychologists, psychotherapists and health practitioners, ‘Togetherness’ uses videos and interactive resources to guide learners through a wide variety of topics. Subjects include:

  • online antenatal and postnatal support
  • understanding your child from toddler to teenager
  • support with common parenting topics such as anxiety, sleep and toileting
  • understanding adolescence and adult mental health, including trauma information and relationship support.

Residents can create a free account on the Togetherness website using the access code: BWFAMILIES

All learning is self-paced and available on any internet connected device. Personal data is kept secure and never shared.

More than 330,000 learners across the country have already used Togetherness, with satisfaction consistently above 90 per cent. Research has shown that completing the courses improves closeness and reduces conflict in parent-child relationships, and increases parental confidence.

Mental Health Social Care Service

A council team of mental health social workers provide support to adults living in Reading with mental health issues who have care and support needs. They support people in the community whether they have just become ill, have a short-term illness or need on-going support. They give practical help with a person’s social care needs alongside their mental health needs. This may include helping people after they have been discharged from hospital, helping to manage risks, or helping with practical issues like housing and financial problems. They also provide general support and advice to people and their carers.

You can refer yourself or someone else to the team by calling the Contact Centre on 0118 937 3747.

Information, advice and support

Finding mental health services in Reading

Last updated on 21/04/2026