About our service
Bolton Talking Therapies provides free, confidential talking therapies for adults aged 16 years and over. We can work with you to help address a range of problems that you might be experiencing. For example:
Our service is delivered by a range of professionals including therapists and counsellors, who will find a level of treatment that is right for you. This can be done on a one-to-one basis, or we also offer group work.
Talking Therapies is a national programme developed in recognition that one in four of us will experience these difficulties at some point in our lives.
‘It’s okay to not be okay’ sometimes but you do not have to continue to face these difficulties alone.
If you need urgent mental health support, for example if you feel mentally unsafe or severely distressed, you can quickly and easily access support by calling NHS 111 and selecting mental health option 2. It’s available 24/7, free of charge and you can call for yourself or someone else.
In emergency situations where there’s an immediate risk to life, or you need urgent physical care, you should contact 999 or go to A&E.
We offer a mental health self-help program called SilverCloud, where you can instantly access materials shown to have a positive impact on depression, anxiety and stress.
You can log into the program from any device as often as you want, and we'll regularly support you as you work through the materials. Once you have completed the program, you will still be able to access the information in your account for up to a year.
If you would like more information, you can phone us on 0161 271 0190 or complete the self-referral form and request silver cloud input.
Unfortunately SilverCloud is only available in English at the moment. If you'd like to access our services but don't speak English, please complete the NHS Talking Therapies referral form (below) and we will contact you to arrange an interpreter.
What to expect after completing the SilverCloud referral form
This information will be reviewed by us and then we'll contact you. This may be via phone or letter. Please note calls can come from a withheld number.
How does SilverCloud work
SilverCloud is an online cognitive behavioural therapy programme. It's flexible, effective, easy to use, and puts you in control of your own progress. You can work through at your own pace and complete the tasks at times to suit you.
You will speak to a psychological wellbeing practitioner on the telephone at the start and end of your treatment. Your silver cloud reviews can be written or telephone depending on your preference.
After you complete a SilverCloud programme
Your final review will be over the phone with your supporter. During this appointment we will discuss and review your progress with the programme and decide together if you require any further support from Bolton NHS talking therapies.
Whatever is decided, you will have access to the materials on SilverCloud for 12 months.
If you sign up and change your mind
Once you are allocated to a therapist you will have fortnightly reviews via phone or email. If at any point, you have questions about the programme or you feel it isn’t right for you, please leave us a message to let us know. We will be happy to discuss alternative treatment options with you.
If we notice that you don’t log on to your account for two weeks once treatment has started, and you haven’t left us any messages, at that point, we will assume you do not wish to continue with SilverCloud and will discharge you back to the care of your GP.
More information
Watch this video for more about SilverCloud: Silvercloud Health Digital Mental Health and Wellbeing platform on Vimeo
You can access our NHS Talking Therapies service by completing the online referral Self-refer online via https://www.iaptportal.co.uk/bolt.html so we can get in touch.
You can also complete referrals for counselling via the online referral form. Counselling is provided via our partner agency 1 point: Home - 1Point (1pointbolton.org.uk)
After making a referral
Once your referral has been submitted, we will aim to respond to you within 14 working days.
If you need urgent help in the meantime, please speak to your GP or call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (option 2). You can also find other helplines and urgent help below.
Professional referrals to NHS Talking Therapies are accepted. However please carefully consider whether it’s appropriate for the patient.
The service is for people with mild to moderate common mental health problems (e.g. depression and anxiety), with a strong focus on self-help. This is why self-referral is the preferred route.
If a professional referral is appropriate please refer to the service via this link.
If you have any questions about the service, please contact us on 0161 271 0190.
We are currently running the following groups:
If you would like to access one of these groups, please refer via the online link and identify this within your referral. Please call 0161 271 0190 for more information regarding these groups.
There's a strong link between debt and mental health problems, with a number of people referring to us in need of debt advice.
You can get free debt advice from the Money Advice Service.
Self Harm Resources
Mind - For better Mental Health
Mental Health Resources
Support After Suicide Partnership
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
If you need urgent mental health support, for example if you feel mentally unsafe or severely distressed, you can quickly and easily access support by calling NHS 111 and select mental health option 2. It’s available for all ages, 24/7, free of charge and you can call for yourself or someone else.
NHS 111 is a national service, however, when you call NHS 111 and select mental health option 2, you’ll be connected to your local team. A trained mental health practitioner will listen and help you get the urgent support you need.
With your permission, the mental health practitioner can offer advice over the phone, and put you in contact with the best services to meet your needs.
You can also access NHS 111 Mental Health online.
Call 116 123 (freephone) if you need to talk to someone urgently about how you are feeling.
You can also visit the Samaritans website.
NHS and social care workers: Samaritans also run a confidential support line for NHS and social care staff, from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week: 0800 069 6222
Papyrus runs a listening service if you’re under 35 and may be having thoughts of suicide.
Call: 0300 102 2470
Text: Hope to 88247
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening hours are 24 hours, every day of the year, including weekends and bank holidays.
Call 0300 304 7000 for emotional support and information if you’re affected by mental illness. This includes if you’re a family member, friend or carer.
Older people can call 0800 4 70 80 90 for free, confidential information, friendship and advice.
If you’re a man who is down or have hit a wall for any reason, you can ring the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) helpline to talk or find support.
Call: 0800 58 58 58
National Suicide Helpline UK offers a supportive listening service to anyone in the UK with thoughts of suicide or self harm. They are open 24/7.
Call: 0800 689 5652
NHS England have launched a new mental health hotline for NHS staff of all roles and levels.
The phone number is running from 7am to 11pm daily: 0300 131 7000
Or you can text FRONTLINE to 85258 (available 24/7).
Volunteers are on hand to listen to you and give psychological support, or signpost you to other support if needed.
Samaritans helpline:
Samaritans also run a confidential support line for NHS and social care staff, from 7am to 11pm, seven days a week: 0800 069 6222
This website aims to support anyone who is thinking about suicide or who has been affected by it. Click on these links to see what help is available:
Find out more about the Employment Adviser Service offered by the service.
Our online Padlet provides practical tools, self-help resources and information about our service for people waiting for an appointment.
As a service user, relative or carer using our services, sometimes you may need to turn to someone for help, advice, and support.
Find resources for carers and service users Contact the Trust