Mental Health Support
For you or someone you know
Thank you for taking the time to stop.
Please 'click' on any of the images or links to go directly to the organisation required, or scroll down the page for contact numbers.
For 'Gerry'
Thank you for being the inspiration for this directory. A chance encounter with a stranger who became a friend. Thank you for trusting me and sharing your journey.
I wish you well on your path of recovery.
The NHS 111 service has now extended to those experiencing a mental health crisis (27th August 2024) for all people of all ages, including children, or concerned family and loved ones.
Callers can select the mental health option to speak to a mental health professional and NHS staff will guide callers to the next steps, such as organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to alternatives services like crisis cafés or safe havens, which provide a place for people to stay as an alternative to an emergency unit or a hospital admission.
Dial 111
Listen to the pre-recorded voice and press #9
You will then be given two options as below:
If your call is about physical health press 1.
If you are in mental health crisis press 2.
If you are in immediate crisis please call 111, 999, or go to the nearest A & E.
There are people and places right here for you, right now.
You've got this, you can get help and you can start to feel better.
What can we help with?
Some of the most common reasons people text us include:
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Abuse
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Anxiety
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Discrimination
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Feeling low or depressed
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Identity issues
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Relationship problems
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Thoughts of suicide
Whatever's bothering you, we're here to talk about it.
TEXT SHOUT
HOW DOES IT WORK?
➡️ Send a text (not WhatsApp!) saying 'LET IT OUT' to 85258
➡️ We'll connect you to a volunteer. This takes about 5 minutes, but can be longer when we're busy
➡️ The volunteer will introduce themselves and ask what you'd like to talk about
➡️ Text back and forth, sharing what you're comfortable with
➡️ As well as listening without judgement, our volunteers may give you resources or tools to help you get more support.
Armed Forces Support
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Please take a look at the information below and access what you need right now. There are people waiting to listen.
You've got this, you can get help and you can start to feel better.
ALCOHOL MISUSE
Alcoholics Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves getting sober with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 917 7650
(24-hour helpline)
Website:
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a free self-help “12 step”
group for anyone whose life is or has
been affected by someone
else's drinking. Phone:
0800 0086 811 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Website: https://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/
Drinkline
A free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else's drinking. Phone: 0300 123 1110
Weekdays 9am-8pm
Weekends 11am- 4pm
National Association
for Children of Alcoholics
National Association for Children
of Alcoholics offers free confidential advice and information to everyone affected by a parent’s drinking including children, adults and professionals.
Phone: 0800 358 3456 (Friday, Saturday and Monday 12pm to 7pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12pm to 9pm)
Website: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/
SMART Recovery UK
SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK
(9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Website: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/
DRUG MISUSE
Cocaine Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves stopping using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 612 0225 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Website: https://cocaineanonymous.org.uk/
FRANK
Free, confidential information and advice about drugs, their effects and the law. FRANK's live chat service runs daily from 2pm to 6pm.
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Website: https://www.talktofrank.com/
Marijuana Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves stopping using marijuana with the help of regular face-to-face and online support.
Phone: 0300 124 0373 (callback service)
Web:http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org.uk/
Narcotics Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves stopping using drugs with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 999 1212
(daily, 10am to midnight)
Website: www.ukna.org
GAMBLING
Gamblers Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme involves stopping gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hour)
Web: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Gam-Anon
A free self-help group. Its "12 step" programme is for those affected by someone else’s gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups. Phone: 08700 50 88 80
Website: www.gamanon.org.uk
National Gambling Helpline
Phone: 0808 8020 133
(daily, 8am to midnight)
Website: www.begambleaware.org
National Problem Gambling Clinic
A specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers aged 13 and over.
Phone: 020 7381 7722 (call back)
GENERAL SUPPORT
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774
(Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Bayo
bayo.uk
Bayo is a space to find collectives, organisations and services from across the UK that offer mental health and wellbeing support to the Black community.
Bipolar UK
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder. Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
Black Minds Matter
Black Minds Matter’s mission is to connect Black individuals and families with mental health services by professional Black therapists to support their mental health. To make this happen, they want to make mental health topics more relevant and accessible for Black people in the UK.
https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/
Black Thrive
blackthrive.org
Works to address and challenge the structural barriers that prevent Black people from thriving.
BLAM (Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health) - blamuk.org
Mental health support to people from Black British communities, including racial wellness workshops. Works to embed Black British cultural heritage and African and Caribbean histories into teaching.
BOLOH HELPLINE
helpline.barnardos.org.uk 0800 151 2605
A helpline and webchat for Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic children, young people, parents or carers. Offers emotional support and practical advice.
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men, and more recently, for anyone who needs help and support. CALM is leading a movement against suicide. Anyone can hit crisis point. CALM runs a free and confidential helpline and webchat-7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems.
Phone: 0800 585858 (daily, 5pm-midnight) Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Website:
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Phone 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) Website: www.mind.org.uk
Men's Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men -txt, chat, email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/how-are-you
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome phobia or OCD. Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Charge. Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
OCD Action
Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.
Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider's Access Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD UK
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.
Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) Website: www.ocduk.org
PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPE line UK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends) Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
PTSD UK
Charity raising awareness of PTSD, with guidance and information available. www.ptsduk.org
PTSD Support
Non-judgemental safe spaces with regular group meet ups. Confidential listening service. Recovery help. With free online support available.
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline) Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
SANE
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it.
Peer support forum:
Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
FAMILY INFORMATION
Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Society
Provides information on dementia, including factsheets and helplines.
Phone: 0300 222 1122 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and 10am to 4pm on weekends)
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Eating disorders
Beat - Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
Website: www.b-eat.co.uk
ILPA
Additional support and information for wellbeing. https://ilpa.org.uk/members-area/working-groups/well-being-new/well-being-resource-hub/mental-health-resources-for-black-people-and-poc/
Family Lives
Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying.
Phone: 0808 800 2222
(Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 3pm)
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Inspirited Minds - inspiritedminds.org.uk
Offers private counselling services for Muslim communities.
JAMI - jamiuk.org
020 8458 2223
Provides mental health support for the Jewish community through online services, community hubs, recovery support plans and education.
Mencap
Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Phone: 0808 808 1111
(Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
Muslim Community Helpline
muslimcommunityhelpline.org.uk
020 8908 6715 or 020 8904 8193
Provides listening and emotional support for members of the Muslim community.
Muslim Youth Helpline
myh.org.uk
0808 808 2008
Provides faith & culturally sensitive support to young Muslims: phone, chat, WhatsApp, email.
NSPCC
Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty. Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hour helpline). 0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
Refuge
Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
Relate
The UK's largest provider of relationship support.
Website: www.relate.org.uk
Spark and Co – sparkandco.co.uk
Directory of support services for people of colour, including mental health services.
Scope
Scope is a disability equality charity in England and Wales who provide practical information and emotional support when it's most needed (click on the image below to go directly to their website).
YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
CRIME VICTIMS
Rape Crisis
To find your local services phone: 0808 802 9999 (daily, 12pm to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm)
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Victim Support
Phone: 0808 168 9111 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.victimsupport.org
Victim Support:
0808 1689 111
Emotional support, information and practical help to victims of crimes ranging from burglary to murder through a network of local branches. The Witness Service, operating in every criminal court, offers support and practical information about the court process before, during and after a trial.
BEREAVEMENT SERVICES
Bereavement Trust Helpline:
0800 435 455 6pm-10pm every evening
www.bereavement-trust.org.uk
Support for anyone who has been bereaved.
Online support site for those bereaved.
Brake Care:
0808 8000 401
www.brake.org.uk
Helpline for people bereaved or injured in a road crash, listening ear and information on practical matters, and local counselling and trauma therapy services. Also offers assistance to police officers and other professionals.
Campaign Against Drinking and Driving:
Helpline 01924 562 252
www.cadd.org.uk
To support and assist the victims and families of victims who have suffered death or injury by drunken drivers on the roads in the UK.
Child Bereavement Charity:
0800 02 888 40
www.childbereavementuk.org
Support for bereaved families, online discussion forums, information.
Cruse Bereavement Care:
Helpline 0808 808 1677
www.cruse.org.uk
Provides support services for people who have been bereaved. Helpline offering listening support and practical advice related to bereavement, including dealing with an estate, debt and arranging a funeral. Puts people in touch with local Cruse branches providing services.
Way Up - www.way-up.co.ukWay Up is an active self help group aimed at providing mutual support to those widowed in their 50s and 60s. It is a group with a positive forward looking attitude to rebuild lives and discovering that lives can be good again, that we can be happy once more.
Grief Encounter Project:
0808 802 0111
www.griefencounter.comWorkshops, one to one counselling telephone advice, resources and an interactive website for bereaved children, young and families.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide:
0300 111 5065
www.uk-sobs.org.uk
National Helpline and other support services run by a self help group for people bereaved by suicide. Helpline provides listening support and will put people in touch with their nearest local group. Monthly group meetings in various locations. Bereavement pack and literature for survivors.
RoadPeace:
0845 450 0355
Helpline providing practical and emotional support for people who have suffered bereavement or injury in a road crash. Counselling and other support services.
SAMM
(Support After Murder and Manslaughter):
0121 472 2912 www.samm.org.uk
The Lullaby Trust Tel: 0808 802 6868 www.lullabytrust.org.uk
Offer confidential support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young toddler. This is available immediately or at any later time in your lives. This support is for families, friends, carers and professionals.
www.babyloss.com - Support to women and their partners who have suffered miscarriage or stillbirth.
WAY Widowed and Young:
www.widowedandyoung.org.uk
National charity for men and women aged 50 or under when their partner died. Peer-to-peer support group run by a network of volunteers who have been bereaved at a young age themselves so they understand exactly what other members are going through. England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
PET BEREAVEMENT
Animal Samaritans
Pet Bereavement Service:
0203 745 9859
Blue Cross For Pets
If you have lost, or are facing saying goodbye to, a much loved pet and need somebody to talk to, our Pet Bereavement Support Service is here for you every day from 8.30am – 8.30pm.
https://www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss
Tel: 0800 096 6606
Cats Protection - Paws To Listen Support:
Confidential phone line providing emotional and practical support to owners experiencing the loss of a cat. While the volunteer listeners do not offer counselling, the team provides a supportive ear to callers struggling to cope with cat-related grief.
Tel: 0800024 9494
