Information and Support - Mental Health
If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in , there are organisations that can help.
General mental health support
Mental Health Foundation provides a guide to Mental Health problems, topical issues and treatment options via their website.
Mind provides advice and support on a range of topics including types of mental health problem, legislation and details of local help and support in England and Wales.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (weekdays 9am - 6pm)
YoungMinds offers information, support and advice for children and young people. Help for concerned parents of those under 25 is offered by phone.
Phone: 0808 802 5544 (Mon–Fri 9.30am-4pm)
Inspire (Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health) provides local services to support the mental health and wellbeing of people across Northern Ireland.
Phone: 028 9032 8474
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) can provide general mental health information, advise you on your rights and signpost you to your local services
Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information on mental health and related matters to people in Wales.
Phone: 0800 132 737 (24/7) or text "help" to 81066
The Mix provide non-judgmental support and information for young people under 25 on everything from sex and exam stress to debt and drugs and self harm.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Addiction (alcohol, drugs and gambling)
Drinkline is a confidential helpline for those worried about their own or someone else's drinking. They can put you in touch with your local alcohol advice centre for help and support.
Phone: 0300 123 1110
FRANK provides a confidential service to anyone wanting information, advice or support about any aspect of drugs.
Phone: 0300 123 6600
Minicom: 0300 123 1099
Online chat facility (2-6pm weekdays) is available on the website.
Addaction has services throughout England and Scotland, that help adults, young people and their families recover from addiction and substance misuse problems.
Addiction Family Support provides support to families, friends and carers who are struggling to cope with a loved one’s addiction to drugs or alcohol, including addiction related bereavement support.
Phone: 0300 888 3853 (7 days a week 9am – 9pm)
AddictionNI provides support and treatment to people affected by alcohol or drug addiction in Northern Ireland.
Phone on 0289 066 4434
Know the Score provides confidential drugs information and advice across Scotland.
Phone: 0800 587 5879 (8am-11pm daily)
The National Gambling Helpline, operated by GamCare offers confidential support, advice and free counselling to people concerned about their gambling, or the gambling of friends or family.
Phone: 0808 8020 133
Information and advice for young people is available on
Gam-Anon is a fellowship of men and women who have been affected by someone else’s gambling.
Alcoholics Anonymous provides opportunities to share experience, strength and hope to recover from alcoholism.
Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, through regular meetings throughout the UK, where members share their own experience of living with alcoholism.
Alateen is part of Al-Anon, for teenage (12-17) relatives and friends of alcoholics.
The Wales Drug And Alcohol Helpline is a bilingual helpline providing information or help to individuals, their families, carers, and support workers.
Phone: 0808 808 2234 (24/7)
Emotional distress and suicide
Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
HOPELineUK offer support, practical advice and information to young people considering suicide and can also offer help and advice if you’re concerned about someone you know.
Phone: 0800 068 41 41
CALM, the campaign against living miserably aims to prevent male suicide in the UK and offers anonymous, confidential listening, information and signposting.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily 5pm-midnight)
Lifeline provides support to people suffering distress or despair in Northern Ireland, regardless of age or district.
Phone: 0808 808 8000 (24 hours a day)
Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information on mental health and related matters to people in Wales.
Phone: 0800 132 737 (24/7) or text "help" to 81066
Breathing Space offers a confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87 (Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, weekends 24 hours).
A BSL service is also available via the website.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend.
Phone: 0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm daily)
Eating disorders
Anorexia and Bulimia Care provides ongoing care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders.
Phone: 03000 11 12 13
Beat provides information and support for anyone affected by an eating disorder.
Phone (18+): 0808 8010 677
(under 25): 0808 8010 711
The National Centre for Eating Disorders provides advice and information on compulsive eating, anorexia, bulimia and weight problems.
Phone: 0845 838 2040
NHS provide advice and support for issues relating to eating disorders.
Anxiety, panic attacks and PTSD
No Panic is a voluntary charity, providing support to sufferers of panic attacks, anxiety disorders, phobias and Obsessive Compulsive Disorders (OCD). Fees apply
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily 10am - 10pm 5p per minute)
Talking2Minds helps those suffering from PTSD or other severe stress related conditions and offer free therapeutic programmes to those most in need within the UK.
OCD
OCD Action provides support and information for people with OCD, their families, carers and professionals.
Phone: 0845 390 6232
OCD-UK provides confidential, impartial information, advice and support to adults and children affected by OCD, accessing treatment, advocacy and community support.
Phone: 0345 120 3778
Depression
Action on Depression provides information and support services to people in Scotland affected by the condition.
Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.
Phone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Breathing Space offers a confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87 (Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, weekends 24 hours).
A BSL service is also available via the website.
Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information on mental health and related matters to people in Wales.
Phone: 0800 132 737 (24/7) or text "help" to 81066.
Hafal provides information and support for people with serious mental illness and their carers, covering all areas of Wales.
Bipolar
Bipolar UK supports individuals, their families and carers affected by bipolar, providing information and support groups.
Phone: 0333 323 3880
Bipolar Scotland provides information, support and advice for people affected by bipolar disorder
Phone: 0141 560 2050
Insomnia and sleep
Teen Sleep is a website with advice on getting the right amount of sleep and how it affects your daily live from sitting exams to relationships.
The Sleep Council offers advice on sleep, including shift work patterns, children with additional needs to dealing with jet lag.