Helplines and support
If you are going through a hard time and would like to talk to someone, there are a number of groups that can help.
Samaritans
08457 90 90 90
Confidential emotional support 24 hours a day
NHS Direct
0845 4647
NHS Direct offer people in England and Wales medical information and advice by phone or over the internet. They can also refer callers to various self help and support organisations. In Scotland, contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.
MindinfoLine
0845 766 0163 (Open Monday to Friday 9.15am to 5.15pm)
The MindinfoLine service is run by a dedicated team of specialists, responding to more than 20,000 enquiries a year. Topics range from types of mental distress, where to get help and drug treatments, to alternative therapies, who's who in mental health services and advocacy.
Deaf or speech impaired enquirers can contact use the same number (if you are using BT Textdirect add the prefix 18001).
You can also write to:
Mind
PO Box 277
Manchester
M60 3XN
Rethink's National Advice Service
020 8974 6814 or advice@rethink.org
Rethink's National Advice Service provides expert advice and information on issues that affect the lives of people coping with mental illness. For general enquiries about Rethink's work, please call 0845 456 0455.
More information.
SANEline
0845 767 8000
Support, information and advice for anyone affected by mental health problems (6pm-11pm every day.)
SANEmail
SANEmail is a new email support service, which is fully funded by The Vodafone UK Foundation. SANEmail runs alongside SANEline to provide an additional channel of support to those affected by mental health issues. Anyone can email SANEmail, but in particular, the service aims to support:
- Young people affected by mental health problems who may feel more comfortable using email to gain support rather than the helpline
- Those with a physical disability or mental illness that prevents them from using the helpline
National Phobics Society
The National Phobics Society offer a free email support service for people with anxiety disorders. Find out more about the email support service.
Dealing with Depression
Dealing with Depression is an online forum that provides a friendly and safe place for people to share information and talk about their experiences of depression.
Mental Health Helplines Partnership Project
The Telephone Helplines Association's website lists a number of different mental health telephone services.
One in one hundred
Website giving information and resources for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and their friends and family, including a comprehensive list of support groups around the country. One in one hundred is produced by pharmaceutical company Janssen-Cilag.
Masthead photo by Dan Brady. Used under a Creative Commons licence.
