There is help for you, and recovery is possible.
It is okay not to be okay.
As a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training provider, we cannot provide immediate care and support. However, some people who need this may find themselves here, so we created a Mental Health Directory for anyone, who needs information, contacts, or help in some way.
It may also be useful for anyone who is looking to help someone else, and not sure where to start.
Below is a directory of professional services, that can meet a variety of needs, some with 24/7 access.
If you are in immediate danger, contact 999 for emergency assistance.
Go to your nearest hospital or GP for urgent support.
If you are at work, contact your Mental Health First Aider, who will help you.
The organisations included in this Mental Health Directory are by no means exhaustive; it is intended as a starting point, to help people find their new beginning.
Thank you for taking the first steps.
Ian
What is Shout?
Shout is a free, confidential. 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
To start a conversation, text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. The trained volunteers are available to listen at any time of day or night, and messages won’t appear on your phone bill.
How does it work?
- Send a text (not WhatsApp!) saying ‘LET IT OUT’ to 85258
- you will be connected to a volunteer. It takes about 5 minutes, but can be longer during busy times.
- 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, a volunteer may give you resources or tools to help you get more support.
What can SHOUT help with?
Some of the most common reasons people text SHOUT include:
- Abuse
- Anxiety
- Discrimination
- Feeling low or depressed
- Identity issues
- Relationship problems
- Thoughts of suicide
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)
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)
Drinkline
A free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.
Phone: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 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)
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)
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)
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
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)
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)
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)
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
National Gambling Helpline
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
National Problem Gambling Clinic
A specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers aged 13 and over.
Phone: 020 7381 7722 (call back)
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)
Bipolar UK
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
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.
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)
Eating disorders
Beat – Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
ILPA
Additional support and information for wellbeing.
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Men’s Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
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.
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
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)
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)
PTSD UK
Charity raising awareness of PTSD, with guidance and information available.
PTSD Support
Non-judgemental safe spaces with regular group meet ups. Confidential listening service. Recovery help. With free online support available.
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
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
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)
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)
Mencap
Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Scope
Scope is a disability equality charity in England and Wales who provide practical information and emotional support when it’s most needed.
YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544
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)
Refuge
Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
Relate
The UK’s largest provider of relationship support.
Bereavement Trust Helpline
Support for anyone who has been bereaved.
Phone: 0800 435 455 (6pm-10pm every evening)
www.bereavement-trust.org.uk
Bereavement UK
Online support site for those who have been bereaved.
Brake Care
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.
Phone: 0808 8000 401
www.brake.org.uk
Campaign Against Drinking and Driving
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.
Phone: 01924 562 252
www.cadd.org.uk
WAY Widowed and Young
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.
Child Bereavement Charity
Support for bereaved families, online discussion forums, information.
Phone: 0800 02 888 40
www.childbereavementuk.org
Cruse Bereavement Care
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 that provide a range of services.
Phone: 0808 808 1677
www.cruse.org.uk
Grief Encounter Project
Workshops, one to one counselling telephone advice, resources and an interactive website for bereaved children, young and families.
Phone: 0808 802 0111
www.griefencounter.com
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
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.
Phone: 0300 111 5065
www.uk-sobs.org.uk
RoadPeace
Helpline providing practical and emotional support for people who have suffered bereavement or injury in a road crash. Counselling and other support services.
Phone: 0845 450 0355
SAMM (Support After Murder and Manslaughter):
Phone: 0121 472 2912
The Lullaby Trust
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.
Phone: 0808 802 6868
BabyLoss
Support to people who have suffered miscarriage or stillbirth. For women and their partners
Way Up
Way 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.
Rape Crisis
To find your local services phone: 0808 802 9999 (daily, 12pm to 2.30pm and 7pm to 9.30pm)
Victim Support
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.
Phone: 0808 1689 111 (24-hour helpline)
Animal Samaritans Pet Bereavement Service
Phone: 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.
Phone: 0800 096 6606
www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-bereavement-and-pet-loss
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.
Phone: 0800 024 9494
