MENTAL WELLBEING
Mental health services are free on the NHS, but in some cases, you'll need a referral from your GP to access them.
There are some mental health services that allow people to refer themselves such as services for drug problems and alcohol problems.
If your mental health difficulty is related to stress at work, you can ask your employer what occupational health services are available to you.
Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, there are helplines, charities and support groups that can offer advice.
URGENT MENTAL HEALTH HELP
If you need help for a mental health crisis, emergency or breakdown, you should get immediate advice.
In an emergency:
Call 999
Go to your local A&E department
If you're in crisis:
Call NHS 111 (If you need help but are not in immediate danger)
Contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment
Furthermore, the NHS operates helplines. The NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages.
You can call for:
24-hour advice and support - for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
help to speak to a mental health professional
an assessment to help decide on the best course of care
HELPLINES
THE SAMARITANS
The Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
MIND
Mind offers advice, support and information to people experiencing a mental health difficulty. They also have a network of local associations in England and Wales which people can turn for help and assistance. Their phone lines are open Monday to Friday 9AM to 6PM.
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a helpline for men in the UK who need to talk or find information and support. Their helpline and webchat is open everyday from 5PM until midnight.
PAPYRUS UK
Papyrus is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They support young people under 35 and offer confidential suicide prevention advice through HOPELINEUK. They are
open 10AM - 10PM on weekdays and 2PM - 10PM on weekends and bank holidays.
YOUNGMINDS
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. They operate a Parents Helpline ( (Monday to Friday 9.30AM – 4PM) and a Crisis Messenger (text YM to 85258).
RETHINK
Rethink Mental Illness works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness. Their Advice Service offers practical help on issues such as the Mental Health Act, community care and welfare benefits, living with mental illness, medication and care and is open Monday to Friday 9:30AM - 4PM.
SANE LINE
Sane Line work with anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. Their helpline is open everyday 4:30PM - 10:30PM. They also provide a free text-based support service called Textcare and an online support forum.
SUPPORT LINE
Support Line provide a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. Their opening hours vary so you need to ring them for details.
SILVERLINE
Aimed at people over 55. Silver Line is the only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Chasing the Stigma (CTS) has launched a mental health database which brings together help and support in one place. The Hub has a postcode search engine that you can use to find local services.
NATIONAL CHARITIES
(in alphabetical order)
Alzheimer’s Society is the UK’s leading dementia charity.
Anxiety UK provides support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Beat is the UK’s eating disorder charity.
Bipolar UK helps people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Cruse Bereavement Care is the largest bereavement charity in the UK. They provide free care and bereavement counselling to people suffering from grief.
Family Lives is a charity that provides advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying.
Mencap is a charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people (under 25s). They offer support for anything from mental health to money, from homelessness to find a job etc.
Mood Swings is aimed at anyone affected by a mood disorder, including friends, families and carers
No Panic specialises in self-help recovery. They offer support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
OCD Action is the national charity focusing on Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They provide support, information of treatment and online resources.
Relate is the UK's largest provider of relationship support.
ADDICTION SUPPORT
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is concerned solely with the personal recovery and continued sobriety of individual alcoholics who turn to AA for help. Their national helpline is open 24/7.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS
Narcotics Anonymous (NA) provides support for those attempting to recover from drugs and substance abuse. Their helpline is open every day from 10AM to midnight.
NATIONAL GAMBLING HELPLINE
The National Gambling Helpline, operated by GamCare, offers free confidential advice, support, and information for anyone who is worried about their or someone else’s gambling. Their advisers are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via phone or LiveChat.
WE ARE WITH YOU
Provides free, confidential support to people experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health. They provide a range of services from education and prevention to community services and residential rehabilitation.