Free drop-in support, wellbeing walks, support at home and residential recovery across the Highlands.
Walk in and talk, no referral needed
Free sessions in Inverness and Wick
Free group wellbeing walks
Everyday help for adults at home
Self-funded care across the Highlands
Residential recovery in Inverness
Choice and control over your care
How to help and how to refer
Walk in and talk to someone who has been there. Free support for adults in Inverness and Wick.
Plain-English advice from the Highlands’ mental health charity.
What to look out for and when to get help
Anxiety, depression, PTSD and more
Common words and terms explained
Mental health in Scotland and the Highlands
How to support someone whose mental health worries you, and how to refer them to us.
Our free drop-in mental health support receives no statutory funding. Every gift helps keep the doors open.
Give once or monthly
Bake sales, walks, quiz nights and more
Join an event or take on a challenge
Play from £1 a week
Honour someone special
Give your time, with full training
Partner with us as a business
Supporting people with mental ill-health across the Highlands since 1987.
From Birchwood in 1987 to today
Our trustees and peer support team
People share their experience in their own words
Annual and inspection reports
Meeting rooms in Inverness city centre
Work for the Highlands’ largest mental health charity.
Social care, support and nursing roles
Full training and flexible hours
Worried about someone?
If someone you care about is struggling, you do not have to work it out on your own. Here is how to spot the signs, start a conversation and get them the right support.
For family and friends
Changes in mood, sleep, eating or withdrawing from people can be early signs. Read our guide to warning signs and symptoms.
Pick a quiet moment, ask how they are and listen without judging. You do not need to have the answers.
Offer to come along to our drop-in support together, or call us to talk through the options.
For professionals
GPs, health professionals and social workers can contact us directly. Always refer with the person’s agreement.
Self-referral
No referral needed. Anyone aged 18 or over can walk in at the Discovery College in Inverness or Wick.
CMHT, SDS or self-funded
Referral through the Community Mental Health Team, Self-Directed Support or self-funded. Call the local office.
Professional referral
Referrals from doctors, nurses, occupational therapists and other professionals. Call 01463 716 600.
Self-funded
Families can arrange care directly. No social work assessment needed, with a free consultation.
Looking after yourself
Caring about someone who is struggling takes a lot out of you. Make time for yourself, talk to people you trust and ask for help when you need it.
Questions
You can call us for advice about how to support someone. To make a referral, we need the person’s agreement.
That is common. Keep the door open, stay in touch and let them know where support is when they are ready.
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999. If they need urgent help, call NHS 24 on 111.
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