There's public and private support for a range of mental health concerns and or general worries and struggles available in the UK. The following resource list signposts to further support for some (certainly not all!) issues. For some issues - such as anxiety, depression and anger issues - the UK government and GP services suggest one to one talking therapies with a qualified psychotherapist, yet there are talking helplines focusing on the issues too.
If you are in an emergency or your life or someone else's life is in danger - call 999
The below links are to helplines only. But, other forms of support are out there too!
Helplines for all topics
Samaritans is a major helpline in the UK, addressing on all ages, all issues with a particular focus on people who are suicidal or have suicidal thoughts...
Like Samaritans, ChildLine is the other major helpline focused on young people aged 18 and younger. ChildLine is ready for big or small conversations and upload a high level of confidentially...
Anxiety
No Panic is a helpline for people with anxiety disorders...
Anxiety UK is another great resource for anxiety including helpful information, therapy groups and a helpline...
Depression
Campaign Against Living Miserably does what it says on the tin (and more). It's helpline runs from 5am to midnight 365 days a year...
Bereavement
Cruise is a leading charity and help centre working hard to support people of all ages who have lost someone and who are grieving...
Eating problems
Beat is set up to help and inform with problems regarding eating. There are different helplines for each part of the British Isles...
Talk ED also informs and helps people suffering with eating problems and their loved ones. It doesn't have a helpline exactly, but you can book a call...
Loneliness
Silver Line is geared up to support those aged over 55 who may want to talk...
Loneliness is also a part of CALM's and Cruise's (both above) wheelhouses.
Disabilities
Scope is a major UK charity supporting people with disabilities. They have a helpline open 9am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 10 am to 6pm on the weekends...
Abuse
Abuse is not only domestic and is not only physical. Annoyingly, most support is focused on domestic abuse, which is then separated into support for males and females.
Refugee works with women and children...
While Respect is a charity geared up to work with men with its helpline...
Rape crisis supports anyone who is over the age of 16 in England and Wales...
The Survivors Trust is open to people of all ages in all parts of the UK to support those who have experienced sexual abuse...
Addiction to drugs and alcohol
UKNA is a hub of support for people who need support with drugs and who can get help to recover...
Gambling
Gam Care offers free information, support and counselling for people who have problems with gambling in the UK...
Parenting concerns
Parent Line Scotland is a free, confidential, parent support helpline for anyone caring for a child in Scotland...
Family Lives in a parent line available to people who are in the rest of the UK who want to talk about parenting and family life...
Helplines for people who are LGBTQ
Galop is designed to who LGBT+ people who have experienced abuse and violence...
LGBT Foundation is set up to offer advice, information and support...
Switchboard is another great resource and helpline...
Helplines for students
Nightline is a helpline operated at night by students for students. Each University hosts their own listening service...
Talk Campus is available all the time offering mental health support for students...
For more...
Mind is a charity offering mental health support and information across the board! Mind is another great resource for signposting...
Mind for helplines...
Mind for information and further steps...
The above links are to helplines only. But, other forms of support are out there too!
Written by Lily Llewellyn
27th March 2023
Lily is a psychotherapist trained and educated in person-centred counselling to master's level and achieved an MA in anthropology. Her areas of interest include our relationships with ourselves and others as well as the ways in which we relate to objects, such as food and money, and activities, such as shopping and work.
Comments