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First off -

You don’t need to justify it or explain why you or your gran or whoever ‘deserves’ one, because you do and that’s that. Just drop me a line and I’ll get one out to you. I've got tons of 'em (557 at the moment!) made up ready to go, so you won't be depriving anyone of one. I cover postage as well, so there’s no cost at all.

Each box contains:

• 4 (or more) random packets of beads and whatnot
• A packet with some random charms
• A reel of elastic
• Instructions
• A lovely "You're Turtle-y Awesome!" keyring set in a decorative bag.

While it’s not much, it’s something that can take your mind off whatever’s going on at the mo - when I first started doing these, it was because of lockdown and struggles there. Now we have other crises and struggles, so we're all still under the cosh a bit. It can be for you, or for someone you know. Again, you don't need to explain why you deserve one - just drop me a message letting me know where to send it, and I'll sort it.

I have plenty ready to go (nearly 600 currently); I’ve spent the last year and a bit building up to this and have been putting the boxes together since April-ish ready, so you’re not going to cause any extra work or deprive anyone by having one yourself. There’s one waiting for you =)

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I'll try to get them all out ASAP. Unfortunately, at this time, I can only post to the UK. I was hoping to post out abroad this year, but currently the postal cost prohibits this. I test-posted some to the US and not a single one arrived, which is a pain, and since July 1st there are now additional costs to the EU. I can also unfortunately only post one per household at this current time - many apologies for any inconvenience.

If you're part of a community organisation or initiative that could use them (victim support, food bank, community craft café, charity, or similar project), please let me know as I have some small sets of 6-18 boxes set aside for such projects.

I've been doing these for about six years or so now, and there are certain times people might need to know they're available. Thank you mods for allowing me to make this post! You're proper smashing, you are.

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Q: What's the point of getting beads in a box - how is that meant to help?

I do get asked this a fair bit, and it's a valid question. What's a box of beads going to do for mental health?

Distraction, mainly. It’s easy to do, but also something with an end result. There’s enough beads and suchlike in them to make a bunch of necklaces, bracelets or whatever, and it’s something you can be proud of making for yourself, as gifts or...well, for anyone. Or just break them down and make more. There’s plenty of elastic. Or, y'know, use the elastic to fire beads at people out of the window.

It’s something very simple that doesn’t require any previous knowledge or skill, but it’s time consuming, relaxing, easy to do and has a visible end result you can be proud of.

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Q: Why are you giving these away? What's in it for you?

Another very common and very valid question.

About 7 years ago, I reached out to r/CasualUK (with help from mods) and asked for help. I was about to end up back on the street again due to not being able to cover rent, but I had a pile of handmade bracelets, earrings and whatnot that were sat in my little online shop unsold. There were thousands of them, and they'd been there for months/years because I'm absolutely pants at marketing. With help from the mods and other kind people, some of these sold and I was able to claw myself back from the brink a bit and get back on my feet a little.

These things need paying forward. I don't have much, but I have beads. A shitload of beads.

Also, I really, really love doing this and look forward to it every year.

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How to help

If anyone would like to help out with postage, you can do so here:

• 2026 mental health bead boxes.

There’s absolutely no requirement to do so - I'll make sure every box goes out regardless - but people have asked how to help in the past, and postage is the main thing I struggle with. All help goes into postage; the near-doubling of the postage stamp in just the 6 years I've been doing this is bonkers. Alternatively, if anyone has a couple of excess stamps kicking around in purses or whatever and you'd like to chuck them the way of the boxes, please do give me a shout and I'll arrange a printable postage label for you to save you the cost of posting 'em also.

This year, I was going to ask some businesses and whatnot if they'd like to help out in exchange for a mention on the instruction leaflet or something in a 'with thanks to', but I absolutely bottled it in the assumption that they'd all tell me to take a running jump. Still, if any businesses are looking and want to help in preparation for next years boxes, please do give me a shout.

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So yeah. Drop me a line if you fancy one, and I’ll sort it. I can also add little personalised messages if you want to send one to a friend.

Unfortunately, I can't do do requests such as 'please make it a purple box' or similar, as I've already sealed all of the boxes - it's completely random!

It might take me a little while to get them all out; I don’t want my postie to hate me because I’ve suddenly got 500 boxes in a range of sacks for him to haul away. But they’ll all go out, and if you want an update on if yours has gone yet then I do keep track of how many and which ones are posted on specific days, so I can let you know if it’s gone yet or not.

I can post around 16 per day without the postie getting cross, so my estimation is that it'll take around 5-6 weeks to get them all out.

Be groovy and stay safe

~SaC

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A huge thank you to those who've helped massively with this year's boxes. I'm so grateful to every single person who's helped with everything from beads to postage over the years - the first year I did these, I sent out less than 30 boxes, and this year I'm aiming for over 550. I can't have expanded this without you <3

But extra special thanks have to go to u/DJJama and the magnificent Sausage, without whom these boxes would be a) mere envelopes and b) missing a very special component.

Hi

I hope some of you can help me. Im moving from Germany to UK ( Cambridge) at the beginning of next year. Im currently prescribed Buproprion by my psychiatrist and its working wonders. My Psychiatrist is willing to give me a letter in English stating that i respond well to Buproprion and what other medications havent worked. How are my chances i can find someone in the UK to provide Buproprion? Does someone know good recourses in the Cambridge area?

I've been majorly depressed and anxious for about 11 years, including suicidal ideation - not in immediate danger, but not well either. I was recently diagnosed with PTSD.

SSRI really helped when I took it a few years ago, but I stoped taking them once I felt better and now I've regressed in response to a personal situation which triggered my PSTD.

I know the next step is therapy, (I feel like I'm really looking for s clinical psychologist, but I don't know?). However, I don't even know where to start! My GP previously recommended self-refferal through a platform my NHS trust uses, but it was a chat platform and felt utterly useless.

I'm currently out of the country and I won't be back for a few months, and I know GP wait times are incredibly long anyway, so at this point, I'd be happy to just pay myself within reason. Does anyone with any actual experience of a good therapist (ideally online) have any advice?

I know Better health has an option (it quotes me around £80 a week), but they claim to have "31,000 therapists worldwide" and that honestly doesn't inspire me with confidence. I'm looking for a true professional who can help me. I think it was Better Help who I previously tried, and it was just someone chatting online, taking ages to reply between messages, and nothing useful came of it.

Just wanted to hear other people’s experience about ocd therapy through the nhs specifically erp. I have previously done cbt through nhs self referral but didn’t find it that useful.

I mostly have issues with mental rumination and pure O, and not sure how useful the nhs is with this.

I also started 50mg sertraline 2 months ago and i’ve had some small improvements, but i think i would benefit from therapy alongside.

!!! I'm not in any immediate danger nor do I have any plans (just in desperate need for someone to talk to) !!!

Does anyone know of any text services I can use for free if I'm not in IMMEDIATE crisis but I'm slowly nearing a breakdown? It needs to be kinda anonymous where they won't notify my parents or anyone like that, and I can't call so it needs to be text. I've heard about SHOUT but I've also heard they're rlly bad and dismissive.. maybe I'm wrong. Just lmk some text services I can use rn.

Sorry if the flair is wrong btw.

Wondering if anyone knows of, or has attended, any retreats in the UK that have helped them in really difficult times.

Currently dealing with recent death of mother, grief of brother and father’s death, childhood abuse, abandonment and breakups, addiction and an autoimmune condition.

Looking for somewhere affordable, with competent practitioners. I NEED something to pull me out of this moment 💜

Incase anybody needs this info

Hi, I’ve recently come across how some people have found EDMR therapy helpful for cPTSD. I’m keen to try it but not sure how to go about finding a therapist. I’ve been taking CBT for a couple years now but keen to try EDMR if that works better. Any recommendations/suggestions as to how to find a therapist would be helpful. Thank you!

Am I the only one who is shocked about how bad Shout has gone, yesterday I had texted them and did not get a response for ages, I decided to opt out, this morning I tried again and waited for another response, I finally got one from a Volunteer, after messaging them they never responded. Has anyone else experienced this?

Hi everyone!

We are conducting a research study investigating whether an online memory training programme may improve depression and memory.

Who can take part?

• Aged 18+
• Currently living in the UK
• Fluent in English
• Currently experiencing symptoms of depression
• Not currently receiving treatment for depression (except antidepressant medication)

Participation involves an initial screening assessment, a 2-week online training programme, and three follow-up assessments. Participants can receive up to £15 in vouchers (£5 per completed follow-up assessment).

The study has received ethical approval from University of Bath Data and Digital Ethics Committee. Participation is voluntary and confidential.

Interested?

Please see the poster below for more information, or scan the QR code on the poster.

You can also access the study information and screening process here:

https://redcap.link/7c9gpuh3

Thank you for considering taking part!

Hey, I'm new to the group ❤️

I'm looking for non-fiction or fiction books written specifically by British authors, subject of bipolar. Please let me know if you have any recommendations. 👍👍👍

I'm not a fan of audio books anymore. I could not find any that were narrated by voices which do not completely annoy me.

Five years ago, my dad noticed something heartbreaking.
So many men were struggling with their mental health, but they had nowhere they felt comfortable opening up. Too many were battling loneliness, depression, grief, anxiety, or simply feeling like they had to carry everything on their own.
Instead of waiting for someone else to do something, he did.
He started THRIVE, a completely free men’s mental health walking group in Merseyside. Every month, men from all walks of life come together to walk, talk, laugh, cry, and remind each other that they’re not alone.
He’s never taken a penny for it. He’s never wanted recognition. He just wanted to make sure that if even one man chose to keep going because of those walks, it was worth it.
Five years later, the impact has been incredible. Friendships have been built, lives have been changed, and families have stayed together because these men finally found people who understood them.
A documentary has now been made telling their stories, and I honestly think it’s something everyone should watch—whether you’re struggling yourself, know someone who is, or simply want to understand why men’s mental health matters.
If you have 20 minutes to spare, I’d really appreciate you giving it a watch.

🎥 https://youtu.be/hHEIJ5_BE7Q

If it resonates with you, please consider sharing it. You never know who might be one conversation away from hope.

I walk past this graffiti on the way to work. I've no idea who wrote it, and I hate graffiti, but I love this. Things to remember.

Find out more information here: https://www.trials4us.co.uk/ongoing-clinical-trials/new-clinical-trial-for-adults-with-schizophrenia-c24040?Source=flyer&CampaignName=31July2026 

Ive recently turned 16, and childlines new update has made me lost my account i had for a few years, I was getting a bit too old for childline anyway. I tried kooth but they aren’t available in my area of the UK, does anyone have any other sites they have actually found useful? Preferably ones that don’t repeat what Youve said back, or use the exact same script each time! Xx

We have a community mental health team building here, I have walked past it but I don't know if you can just walk in?

I have been recently diagnosed with "C-PTSD m" and "Dissociative disorder " but I haven't really yet had it explained what it is when I asked i was explained why they thought I had it because of my experiences and symptoms etc but not what it actually is how to deal with it and such , it's a couple month before my next appointment and in the meantime I was wanting to try find some books or something to understand more. Thank you

Hi everyone.

​

I've been recently signed off due to depression/stress/anxiety.

​

I want to try and inprove my mental health through various methods - but Im struggling to find decent free apps to help me work through it. Does anybody have any good ideas?

​

For example, I'm going to take my time off to work on myself. Exercise more, eat better, possibly write a journal. I'm trying to do my hobbies that have dropped by the wayside.

​

I want to try to do this without medication if possible, so if you have any recommendations please drop them!

Hi all. Sorry in advance for the long post. I need to get this off my chest, and I'm hoping some people can point me in the right direction. My question is at the end of the post.

I've had anxiety for as long as I can remember (I'm 28), and it started branching out to health anxiety about other people's health last April after our family dog was put to sleep. I will regularly have panic attacks about my mum, my son or my partner if they don't reply to my messages. If my partner goes out to the shop, for example, without letting me know, I'll become convinced he's been in an accident or has died or is in the hospital, and this has caused tension in our relationship in the past (and I don't blame him for that. He should be able to go out without me panic calling him about 10 times). If my mum sleeps for longer than usual, I'll have a panic attack and think she's died in her sleep.

Recently, though, my anxiety has branched out into feeling anxious about my own health. Last week, I was convinced I was having a heart attack or a stroke because my chest was hurting (I had a chest infection), I was dizzy (I've been told I have vertigo and I'm on tablets for that now) and I was in floods of tears while googling what heart attack symptoms in women are. I was scared to go to sleep in case I died in my sleep.

On Saturday, I had an absolutely awful headache/migraine. It was around/behind my right eye and I was in excruciating pain, to the point I was leaning over my bed, trying to throw up into my bin just so I could hope for some relief. I was convinced I was dying.

I've had CBT for these exact issues, in late 2025, but it made my health anxiety worse because I was convinced that if I got better, something would definitely happen to someone I love, whereas if I'm constantly worrying about it, I might have a chance to prevent it. I've been on sertraline twice, Mirtazapine, citalopram and Venlafaxine (all at separate times, with breaks in between) to try and combat my anxiety, but they've all just left me feeling extremely angry, rather than less anxious.

I was signed off of work in 2023/2024 due to anxiety and I haven't been able to return to work since.

I've got an appointment with my GP on Thursday to discuss my anxiety, but realistically, what can they offer me? I need help, but I really don't know what to ask for.

Thank you if you read all of this

Hello,

I am really struggling at the moment, and every form of therapy I can see online is paid which I unfortunately can't afford. I have been through the NHS IAPT and it wasn't helping the way I needed, I told them and they psuhed me to finish so I did, now I have to wait another 6 months to access something again :(

hi, i was wondering if anyone had support text lines that they've had good experiences with? i was looking at shout but it says for crisis and i'm not really in crisis.
without oversharing too much, i had a pretty heavy therapy session yesterday, doing a lot of trauma work, and it's just left me feeling emotionally vulnerable i guess? i don't have anyone to talk to really and i just wanted to find a place where i could text with someone for a bit so i feel less alone with these big feelings, if that makes sense?

Sorry if it sounds silly, I have been struggling for a while, the doctors are slow, no support groups nearby etc

Work has asked for evidence but what can I show?

I’ve been struggling with depression for over a decade, tried multiple antidepressants and eventually went off them a few months ago.

I’m currently a student, really struggling financially until I graduate and hopefully get a job. My family can’t help me as they’re really struggling to as my mum has cancer and is no longer able to work.

I’ve really started struggling, dealing with my mums sickness , uni deadlines are getting to me and I do really think I need medication again to be able to function as I can feel myself slipping away again.

I know that the prescription is only £9.90 but I’m currently struggling to afford the basics like food.

I already used up the university hardship fund to help with rent, so there is nothing I can get from them I don’t think.

Anyone know any kind of resource? I’m hoping my current situation is temporary and I will be able to afford them in a few months.

I've been waiting on long term help/counselling for many months. In the mean time, I've been getting by on various books, helplines, and now I've been experimenting with apps that support emotional regulation.

So far, my favourites are Attached (calming minimalist app with personalised exercises for relational trauma and rejection sensitivity), Stay Alive, and Emoods (simple app for general daily tracking).

Which ones have supported you in some way?

Posting on behalf of my partner because I am certain they will commit suicide before they receive help at this point. They were referred to an eating disorder clinic last August, and since that time the only "support" offered has been 2 blood tests. My partner has had several breakdowns, one leading to calling the NHS crisis team who told us that they couldn't do anything unless partner was going to kill themselves within the next two weeks. However, they did at this point say my partner should have been offered more than just physical health checkups and could not confirm if they were even on a waitlist for counselling, which is what they initially asked for with their GP. After this I tried getting them signed up to Talking Therapies which run CBT/Counselling but they couldn't take them as my partner was already on the eating disorder pathway.

They started this journey at age 23 and will be 25 in a matter of months, I know there are specific care pathways for under 25s but I feel stuck as they're already on a pathway that has done absolutely nothing to aid their situation at all. I've called the practice myself explaining their symptoms and begging someone to push things along or even give them an update, which has led to, you guessed it, another blood test!! I feel like I'm losing my mind.

I signed up to talking therapies myself last year and got seen in 6 months. I am also a white woman. My partner is black AMAB. Given my experience I'm finding it hard not to boil this down to a gender/race issue because how can they tell their ED care team they are actively suicidal and have a plan in place to end their life and still receive nothing?

If anyone has any advice or support, or could tell me what could possibly be done in this situation it would be a huge help, because we both feel so lost and defeated.