In terms of mental health, recovery does not always refer to the process of complete recovering from a mental health problem in the way that we may recover from a physical health problem.

Recovery Support

Our recovery support services and activities focus on supporting recovery and building the resilience of people with mental health problems, not just on treating or managing their symptoms. While there is no single definition of the concept of recovery for people with mental health problems, the guiding principle is hope – the belief that it is possible for someone to regain a meaningful life, despite serious mental illness.

Listening Ear Service

Washington Mind’s Listening Ear service is here for anyone in the Sunderland and Washington area who needs confidential emotional support. This is not a counselling or crisis service but an opportunity to talk openly and be heard. If you would like to learn more about our Listening Ear service, click here.

Therapeutic Group & Courses

Build tools. Gain Confidence. Support your mental health.

At Washington Mind, we offer a range of therapeutic groups and courses designed to help you develop practical skills and strategies to support your mental health and wellbeing. Our groups provide a safe and supportive space to learn, share, and grow alongside others who understand what you’re going through.

Improving Sleep Problems and Insomnia – learn how to develop healthier sleep habits and overcome common barriers to restful sleep.
Managing Anxiety and Worry – understand anxiety and discover tools to manage overwhelming thoughts and feelings.
Improving Self-Esteem – build self-confidence and challenge negative self-talk in a supportive environment.
Managing Low Mood and Depression – explore ways to lift your mood, regain motivation, and build resilience.
Living with a Chronic Illness or Illnesses – support for managing the emotional and mental health challenges of living with long-term conditions
Food and Mood – learn how what you eat impacts how you feel, and explore simple changes to support your mental wellbeing

Each session includes: practical activities designed to help you apply new tools in everyday life, group discussions with others going through similar experiences, and support from our qualified mental health practitioner.

You don’t have to do this alone – these groups are about connection, learning, and building confidence at your own pace.

We are currently building an expression of interest list for each of the above courses.

Email us: info@washingtonmind.org.uk

Call us: 0191 417 8043

Community Engagement

Our Community Engagement worker focuses on improving both mental and physical wellbeing. With support people are encouraged to widen their social networks and their involvement within the wider community engaging within The Life House activities programme and other activities across the city.

Our aim is to deliver an ever-changing and diverse range of services alongside developing our community pathways where people are supported to move on and develop their own support systems. As a way of recording individual achievements in improving wellbeing the “My 5 A Day Diary” is each individuals record of their own journey of recovery.

Click here to find out more about Community Engagement Worker Wendy Colling.