Cost of living: mental health and wellbeing support

We're here to help

The cost of living crisis might be affecting your mental health or putting you under added pressure. Help is available.


You may be increase experiencing feelings of anxiety, low mood or deeper feelings of loneliness or isolation. External pressures like losing a job or home, physical health problems or money worries can also affect your mental wellbeing – leaving you feeling alone.

How we can help with mental health and wellbeing

Porchlight is part of Live Well Kent & Medway - a network of organisations that offer mental health and wellbeing support. To find out what support might be available to you:

Our advisers can give you guidance and help you access the support in your area. They won't judge you and are committed to your privacy.

If you are already under the care of your GP or a consultant, we can connect with them if it helps, to ensure you can find the right support for you.

If you are in emotional distress

If you need help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, it is important to know that support is still available, even if services seem busy at the moment.

The Release the Pressure team in Kent is available 24/7 to provide urgent support with trained counsellors who will listen, no matter what you are going through.

If you are having suicidal thoughts, feel unable to keep yourself safe or you’re worried about someone else, it may feel overwhelming but you are not alone and there is support out there: text the word Kent to 85258 or call 0800 107 0160 for free confidential support at any time.

Their text support service is a 24/7 service. It is confidential, free for most mobile phone networks, and won't show up on your phone bill.

You can also webchat with Mental Health Matters, an independent charity, who are available 24/7.

Or for a listening ear or just someone to talk to the Samaritans are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can call them free on 116 123.