Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines and support groups can offer expert advice.
If you’re in the UK, you can utilise this incredible resource to find the correct support near you: Hub of Hope.
If I have missed some helplines or resources from my list, please let me know.
Don’t forget: You are not alone and you don’t need to suffer in silence. You don’t have to wait until you reach a crisis point to seek help and support, you deserve to receive the assistance you need right now. Seeking help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of great strength.
NHS INFORM
The site offers information and advice to those experiencing challenging thoughts, feelings and actions. There are a variety of resources available that can be printed off – including self-help guides covering conditions such as depression, anxiety, stress, panic and sleep problems.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
This leaflet is for anyone who is or has been depressed. It’s also beneficial for friends and relatives living or supporting someone with depression. At the end of the leaflet, there is a list of other places where you can get further information.
Anxiety UK
The charity provides support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 10 pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10 am to 8 pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Be Mindful
Bipolar UK
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5 pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Men’s Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm)
Website: www.mind.org.uk
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10 am to 10 pm). 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, 9.30 am to 5 pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge
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, 9 am to 5 pm)
Website: www.ocduk.org
PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPELINEUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10 am to 10 pm, and 2 pm to 10 pm on weekends and bank holidays)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm)
Website: www.rethink.org
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.
SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30 pm to 10.30 pm)
Text care: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare
Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30 am to 4 pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
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
ChildLine
Helpline: 0800 11 11
Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: 0800 917 7650 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
National Gambling Helpline
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8 am to midnight)
Website: www.begambleaware.org
Narcotics Anonymous
Phone: 0300 999 1212 (daily, 10 am to midnight)
Website: www.ukna.org
Alzheimer’s Society
Provides information on dementia, including factsheets and helplines.
Phone: 0333 150 3456 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm and 10 am to 4 pm on weekends)
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm)
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Rape Crisis
To find your local services phone: 0808 802 9999 (daily, 12 pm to 2.30 pm and 7 pm to 9.30 pm)
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Victim Mount
Phone: 0808 168 9111 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.victimsupport.org
Beat
The UK’s eating disorder charity.
Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
Website: www.b-eat.co.uk
Mencap
Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm)
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
Family Lives
Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying.
Phone: 0808 800 2222 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 9 pm and Saturday to Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm)
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Relate
The UK’s largest provider of relationship support.
Website: www.relate.org.uk