You can help MhIST Bolton by Donating via Give as You Live.
Click on the Give as You Live sign to donate.
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
Struggling with mental health issues? Feeling low, worthless, and/or hopeless? Want to improve your mental health and wellbeing but find it hard to get into Bolton Town Centre? Then why not come and join an afternoon Wellbeing Support group being run in Westhoughton.
Singing with others is a great way to build relationships and increase your mental and physical wellbeing. Come along and have fun getting to know others whist singing popular, well-known songs. All welcome, no matter what your singing ability! If you want to be a part of this fantastic and…
Why not come along to the Welcome to the Digital World Group Does modern technology frighten you?Do you want to understand more about the digital world?Needing to learn from the beginning?Looking for a safe and supportive space to learn? All ages, genders and abilities are made to feel welcome.If you…
Our Other Groups
- Anxiety, Depression, & Well-being (AM)
- Anxiety, Depression, & Well-being (PM)
- Anxiety, Depression, & Self Esteem (10:30am) Group
- Anxiety, Depression, & Self Esteem (11:00am) Group
- Autism Group
- Craft & Social Group
- Creative Crew
- Farnworth Wellbeing Support Group
- Keeping Grounded for Women
- Member’s Saturday Social Group
- Mindfulness Meditation
- Sounds Good – Musical Workshops
- Welcome to the Digital World Group
- Wellbeing Community Choir
- Westhoughton Wellbeing Support Group (Wed)
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.
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
Read more letters from MhIST's visitors.
Latest News
More from the MhIST Blog.
Our Sponsors
What people are saying about MhIST
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.
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.
Frequenty Asked Questions
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Do I have to have a specific diagnosis from my GP/Psychiatrist to access MhIST’s services?
No, a specific diagnosis is not required. You just need to believe that your mental health and wellbeing would be improved by using MhIST’s services.
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What are your opening times?
MhIST is normally open from 9:30am to 4:30pm. Some talk therapy sessions can be provided until 6pm.
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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.
Looking for help?
