Looking after yourself whilst having kidney treatment (Renal Psychology Service)

Living with a long-term health condition can have an impact on your emotional wellbeing. Looking after your emotional health is just as important as your physical health. 

Evidence suggests there are five steps we can all take to improve our emotional wellbeing. If you give them a try you may feel happier, more positive, and able to get the most from life. 

• Connect - connect with the people around you. Spend time developing supportive relationships with people that have a positive effect on your wellbeing.
• Be active - you do not have to go to the gym. Take a walk, spend time outside, stretch, or play a game. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it part of your everyday life. You might need to think creatively about getting more activity into your life in a way that feels manageable.
• Keep learning - learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. Why not sign up to learn a new skill, pick up a musical instrument, or develop your DIY skills. Is there a new craft you would like to learn?
• Give to others - even the smallest act can count, whether it’s a smile, a thank you, or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre can improve your emotional wellbeing and help you build new relationships.
• Be mindful - this can positively change the way you feel about life and how we approach challenges. This means learning to focus on the present, for example, what are we thinking, feeling, and noticing about the world around us?

Further support for emotional wellbeing available 

NHS Psychological Therapies 

Psychological therapies, sometimes called talking therapies, can help with common difficulties like stress, anxiety, and low mood. If you are registered with a GP you can refer yourself directly to services, or ask your GP to refer you. These services used to be known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services. They provide psychological support in a variety of ways including face-to-face, online, over the phone, and courses.

Find NHS Psychological Therapies in your area

Other ways to access free support

• Mind for mental health problems - Home - Mind
• Cruse for bereavement care - Home - Cruse Bereavement Support
• Relate for relationship counselling - Home | Relate

Social prescribing

Social prescribing is available through all GP practices. It aims to help people improve their health, emotional wellbeing, and social networking by connecting them to community activities and resources. For example, social prescribers can discuss your interests with you and help find local activities that you might want to get involved in.

Kidney Peer Mentor Service 

The Kidney Peer Mentor Service aims to give short-term practical and emotional support to people living with kidney disease, their families, and carers. All trained peer mentors are people who have lived with kidney disease themselves, and are allocated to you based on their experiences. If you would like to find out more please email: kidneypeermentorservices@nbt.nhs.uk

Renal Psychology Service for Renal and Transplant patients

We have two clinical psychologists based in the Renal Team at Southmead to support people with a wide range of issues. Sometimes people experience emotional difficulties as a direct result of adjusting to and living with kidney problems. At other times difficulties may come up independently, making it more difficult to cope with the demands of living with kidney problems and treatment.

If you would like an appointment with one of the renal psychologists, please speak to a member of staff who will be able to refer you.

How to contact us

• Clinical Psychology Service, Renal and Transplant, Gate 10 level 6, Brunel building, Southmead Hospital, BS10 5NB
• 0117 414 7698

© North Bristol NHS Trust. This edition published January 2025. Review due January 2028. NBT003225