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Self Help Support Groups

Our support groups can provide you with the tools you need to get the help you need. Find out more about our groups below. Each group has its own information page which is ran by the group to give you a great insight into what they offer.

Featured Groups

Directions for Men

Free peer support for men who may be struggling. Don’t face your problems on your own. Directions for Men want to help men who are having a tough time. We meet to talk about the things affecting us, support each other and learn better ways of coping with problems. We…

Anxiety, Depression, & Self Esteem Group

Do you feel alone and have no one to talk to? Anxiety or depression taking over your days? Want to improve your mental health and self-esteem? This new and dynamic group offers its members a place where depression, anxiety and self-esteem is paramount and explored. This is a very friendly and diverse group in which mutual respect and care is in abundance.

Bounce Back

Bounce back is a six-week course in how positive psychology can give a boost to your family’s mental wellbeing. It is an introductory guide to some of the latest evidence-based techniques from positive psychology that have proven benefits on mental wellbeing within the family. Learn about positive approaches…

Support from people who have similar experiences.

Our self-help groups are very active and they provide for the needs of different groups of people such as depression, anxiety, self-esteem, and mindfulness.

Donations & Fundraising

Can you help us raise funds to help people.

Donations

Help Us Today

Donations can help us provide our services to people who need them the most. If you can Donate then please follow the link to our JustGiving page.

Your Letters

Ste’s story…

I was directed to MhIST by my GP following my release from hospital after being sectioned for 2 suicide attempts. To register I was accompanied by my daughter as I couldn’t go out alone. I signed up with MhIST for 2 sessions a week to help with my depression, anxiety,… Continue reading this letter...

Read more letters from MhIST's visitors.

Latest News

Art – How it affects Wellbeing

Finding ways to maintain and improve our mental health is more important than ever. While many of us turn to exercise, meditation, or therapy, there’s another powerful tool that often goes overlooked… Art. Whether it’s painting, drawing, sculpting, or simply doodling, engaging in creative activities can have profound effects on… Continue reading this blog post...

Job Title: Young women support worker

Salary: £25,070. Actual – £10,028 Hours: 14.5 hours per week (excluding breaks) Contract Term: Permanent subject to funding. Holiday: 22 days annual leave, rising to 27 after 5 years of service (pro rata) Public holidays: 8 days bank holiday Pension: Non-contributory pension plan Flexible working options Location: Bolton Application deadline:… Continue reading this blog post...

Spring Forward Project

MhIST are introducing a new course called Spring Forward If you are looking to figure out the next steps in your journey whether it be looking to go back into work or education then this one may just be for you! The course offers a path to revitalizing your… Continue reading this blog post...

More from the MhIST Blog.

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What people are saying about MhIST

MhIST team have helped me so much over the years. I have attended groups. It’s a safe place and friendly.

MhIST is an excellent place to be a part of. The staff and volunteers are friendly, warm, and accepting. Services offered are accessible free of charge and cater for a diverse range of mental health issues.

All the staff and volunteers are the loveliest staff at MHIST. The group facilitator is nice as well. And mentioning no members names, but all the members are kind and helpful as well as caring. Thanks to everyone of you at MHIST for all your support. Thank you.

Survey Monkey

Can you spare a moment to do our latest survey.

Survey Monkey

Get involved with MhIST

Volunteer with MhIST and help others.

Volunteer

Frequenty Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to access MhIST’s services?

    All of MhIST’s services are offered free at the point of contact. This means members do not have to pay a thing. Funding for the activities is obtained elsewhere.

  • What is Zoom?

    Zoom is an internet video conferencing solution, a bit like Facetime or Skype.

    Where do I find the Zoom Client?

    You need the Zoom client on your device to have MhIST internet therapy. From the Zoom homepage, click RESOURCES and then Download Zoom Client, or visit https://zoom.us/download.

    Which Zoom Client Do I need?

    We recommend Zoom Client for Meetings for your PC/ laptop, or the appropriate Zoom App for your tablet or mobile phone available from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

    What devices can I use?

    You can use a personal computer (PC), laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

    Is Zoom secure?

    Zoom is recommended by talking therapy organisations as it uses end-to-end encryption to ensure nobody can intercept your session. It is reportedly more secure than Skype.

    How much does Zoom cost?

    We recommend the free version of Zoom.

    Can I contact my therapist outside session times?

    MhIST is not an emergency service. If you require up-to-date information, urgent assistance or practical support for those impacted by Covid- 19 we recommend that you contact the following sources:

    Bolton NHS & Bolton Council Coronavirus Information

    Greater Manchester Mental Health Coronavirus Guidance

    Healthwatch Bolton – Community Information

    We ask that you do not try to contact your counsellor directly with Zoom or email outside of session times.

    Anything else?

    • Have a play with Zoom before your first session to get comfortable with the controls.
    • Therapy sessions are confidential so you should be in a private space.
    • Sessions typically last 50 minutes so we recommend a setup which you can sit comfortably in front of such as a desktop PC or a laptop or tablet on a flat surface.
    • Try to sit so that you are lit from the front that way your counsellor can see you properly.
    • Ensure there is no background noise and that anyone else in your space knows not to disturb you.
    • You need to be free to focus on yourself for the duration of your session.
    • Have your phone to hand as a backup in case there are unforeseen technical problems.
    • Visit the Zoom FAQ for more help with zoom.
  • Can we volunteer for MhIST?

    We are always in need of Volunteers for a range of positions. All of our volunteer vacancies can be found on our Do-IT site. Please visit the “Volunteer With Us” page for further details.

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