Sources of support

We aren't able to provide direct support to people with mental health issues. If you need help, or are worried about yourself or somebody else, the organisations below may be useful.

Organisations providing support

Please note we aren’t affiliated with any of the organisations or groups listed and would always recommend further research before using them.

Cost of living crisis

Provides advice and resources on a range of issues including benefits, debt and finances through their website, national advice line and local branches. 

Adviceline (England): 0800 144 8848 

Adviceline (Wales): 0800 702 2020  

Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk 

Offers practical advice and support for people experiencing issues with mental health and money. 

Website: www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org 

Practical tips and advice to save money. 

Website: www.moneysavingexpert.com 

A free debt advice service. 

Website: www.stepchange.org

Helps people in financial need gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help – online, by phone and face to face through partner organisations. 

Use their benefits calculator and grant finder to see what support you could get. 

Website: www.turn2us.org.uk 

Young People

Beat supports people who have, or are worried they have, an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members.

Their helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. 

Helpline: 0808 801 0677  

Studentline: 0808 801 0811  

Youthline: 0808 801 0711 

Webchat: www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services/helplines/one-to-one 

You can talk to Childline about anything that’s troubling you, whether it’s about friends, family, relationships or simply how you’re feeling. They offer a one-to-one counselling service online. 

Website: www.childline.org.uk

Phone: 0800 1111 (lines open 24/7) 

An online mental wellbeing community that offers emotional and mental health support for children and young people aged between 11–24 years. It is available up to 10pm every day. 

Website: www.kooth.com

Free information and support for young people aged 13-25 about mental health issues. You can get in touch with them via telephone, email or webchat. They also provide counselling services. 

Website: www.themix.org.uk/get-support 

Phone: 0808 808 4994 (11am-11pm, free to call) 

Email: Helpline email form 

Crisis Support: Text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258 

OCD Youth is run by young people with OCD, for young people with OCD. They have a wealth of information about OCD on their website, and run an email support service and host a monthly online peer support group for people aged 16 to 20. 

Website: ocdyouth.org/support-info/ 

Support Group: ocdyouth.org/articles/online-youth-support-group/ 

Email: [email protected] 

Papyrus supports young people who are having thoughts of suicide, or those who are concerned about someone else having these thoughts.

They are available 9am – midnight every day of the year. 

Helpline: 0800 068 4141 

Text: 07860039967 

Email: [email protected] 

Website: www.papyrus-uk.org

A UK-wide project set up to support children and young people who hear voices, see visions or have other unusual sensory experiences. 

They offer information, signposting & support (by email, phone or face to face) and have an online peer support forum. They also have information for parents and carers. 

Website: voicecollective.co.uk/support/ 

Forum: forum.voicecollective.co.uk 

Email: [email protected]  

Women and Girls Network (WGN) is a free, women-only organisation that supports all self-identifying women and girls aged 11+ (14+ for counselling) who have experienced gender-based violence or are at risk of experiencing violence or abuse.

Advice line: 0808 801 0660
Email: [email protected]
Web chat: www.wgn.org.uk (press on the ‘chat’ button and select ‘practical advice and support’)

Open Monday to Friday 10am-4pm and 6pm-9pm on Wednesdays

Through the Advice Line they can complete risk assessments with survivors and refer to any appropriate ongoing support services, such as counselling or 1-1 casework & advocacy. The Advice Line is also open for professionals to access advice and support on cases relating to gender-based violence.

Sexual Violence Helpline: 0808 801 0770 Email: [email protected]

Open Monday to Friday 10am-12:30pm and 2:30-4pm, additionally 6pm-9pm on Wednesdays.

The Sexual Violence Helpline offers free and confidential emotional support for anyone in London who self identifies as a woman (aged 14+) and has been affected by any form of sexual violence at any time in their lives. The Helpline also provides support to friends and family of survivors, as well as other professionals, to help them understand how best to support survivors of sexual violence. The Helpline provides up to 40 minutes of confidential emotional support for anybody who contacts the service. Survivors often use this service for interim emotional support while waiting to access counselling.

A national charity that specialises in young people’s mental health. There is a range of information about common mental health problems and how to keep yourself well on their website. They also offer a confidential helpline for parents who are concerned about their child. 

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk 

Phone: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm) 

For parents and carers

Their mission is to make life better for carers. They provide information and advice on caring, help carers connect with each other, campaign with carers for lasting change, and use innovation to improve services.   

Helpline: 0808 808 7777 (Monday to Friday 9am-6pm)

Website: www.carersuk.org 

Email: [email protected] 

MindEd offers online advice for families that are concerned about their child’s mental health and wellbeing via their chat service.

Website: www.minded.org.uk 

Support and tips to help you keep children safe. From advice on children’s mental health to staying safe online, support for parents and what to do if you’re worried about a child. 

Website: www.nspcc.org.uk 

Phone: 0808 800 5000  

Rethink offers a hub of information for carers.

Website: www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/carers-hub/ 

Support groups for carers: www.rethink.org/help-in-your-area/groups-in-your-area 

Practical advice and tips on supporting your child – from how to encourage them to open up about their feelings to dealing with mental health services.   

Website: www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/ 

Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4pm)

Parents webchat: www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline-and-webchat/ (Monday – Friday 9:30am – 4pm)

LGBTQIA+

The LGBT Foundation provides a wide range of support services to lesbian, gay, bi and trans people. 

Website: lgbt.foundation 

Phone: 0345 330 3030 

A safe space for people to discuss anything that’s on their mind, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional wellbeing. 

Website: switchboard.lgbt 

Phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am to 10pm every day) 

Other

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) aims to prevent male suicide in the UK and offers anonymous and confidential listening as well as information and advice on where you can get help. 

Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight every day) 

Website: www.thecalmzone.net/help/get-help/ 

Webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/get-support (5pm to midnight every day) 

Mind offers information on types of mental health problems, signposting and where to get help, medication and advocacy. 

Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm) 

Website: www.mind.org.uk

Email: [email protected] 

Mind also runs Side by Side, a free online community where you can get support from other people who have been in similar situations. 

Website: sidebyside.mind.org.uk 

Maytree provides a unique residential service for people in suicidal crisis so they can talk about their suicidal thoughts and behaviour. It provides a safe, confidential, non-medical environment for guests – somewhere they can explore their thoughts and feelings, and feel heard with compassion and without judgement. 

Website: www.maytree.org.uk 

Phone: 020 7263 7070 

Email: [email protected] 

If you’ve already been given a Crisis Line number from a health professional, call it.

If you are under the care of a mental health team and have a specific care plan that states who to contact when you need urgent care, follow this plan. 

If you are worried but unsure if you need urgent support, ring the NHS non-emergency number on 111 to get advice on how to get help. Calls are free and it is always open. 

You can visit your GP to talk about your mental health problems and they may refer you to specialist services if they think it will help you. You can find a list of local mental health services on the NHS Choices website. 

If your life or the life of someone else is in danger and you require urgent support you should dial 999 or visit your closest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department.

You can find your closest department and other emergency and urgent care services here. 

The Listening Place is somewhere people can talk openly about their feelings without being judged or being given advice. 

It offers free, face-to-face fortnightly sessions, usually for 3-month period, to help people with suicidal thoughts to openly discuss, examine and reflect on their situation with a warm and supportive volunteer. 

Website: www.listeningplace.org.uk/i-need-help/  

The Rethink Mental Illness Advice Service offers advice on topics such as medication, care and treatment, benefits, debt and the Mental Health Act. 

Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday 9.30am-4pm) 

Website: www.rethink.org 

Email: [email protected] 

For people who would like to talk through their concerns, worries and troubles in confidence. You can telephone or email. The Samaritans are always open. 

Phone: 116 123 (free to call from within the UK) 

Website: www.samaritans.org 

Email: [email protected]