Andy’s Man Club is a support group for men to talk about their problems without judgement or feeling like a burden. What started as a small support group in Halifax has ballooned into a Facebook group of thousands, with 17 clubs now operating nationwide (ranging from Glasgow to Newton Abbot). The associated campaign, #itsokaytotalk, has drawn support from prominent celebrities including Danny Cipriani and Ricky Gervais. The Sessions are run every Monday at 7.00pm by Volunteers.
If you need immediate advice and support for your mental health and emotional well-being, or advice regarding your rights, you can contact the following organisations directly. Whilst every care has been taken in the compilation of this list, Mind Matters Training does not endorse any externally linked sites and is not responsible for their content, service delivery, or quality of service.
If you are aware that there are any errors in the information provided please notify us by emailing jane@mindmatterstraining.co.uk
Support for Individuals
ACAS (Advisory Conciliation & Arbitration Service)
Provision of information, advice, training, conciliation and other services for employers and employees to help prevent and resolve workplace problems
Tel: 0300 123 1100 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-8.00pm; Sat 9.00am-1.00pm)
Action on Pain
Action on Pain is a national charity with strong European links providing support and advice for people affected by chronic pain. They are run entirely by volunteers affected by chronic pain, along with healthcare professionals working on pain management. They offer a PainLine open 10.00am – 4.00pm, mobile information unit, produce a range of informative booklets, sale of TENS machines for pain management, and work to raise greater awareness of the impact of chronic pain.
Tel: 0345 603 1593 (10.00am – 4.00pm)
Email: painline@action-on-pain.co.uk
Andy’s Man Club
Anxiety Care UK
Anxiety Care UK is a non-profit registered company based in East London that specialises in helping people to recover from anxiety disorder and to maintain that recovery. This involves helping to plan, initiate and carry through personal recovery programmes. Research shows that most sufferers are able to undertake this structured work without input from the psychiatric services, although it can be a lot easier to do with the help of a skilled recovery support worker such as can be provided by Anxiety Care UK.
Anxiety Care UK offers support which can be long or short term according to the client’s need. Locally, we offer support & recovery groups. Nationally and locally we offer support through our recovery information email service and on-line chat room.
Contact details for office administration and general information Tel: 07552 877219 or email admin@anxietycare.org.uk
Email: recoveryinfo@anxietycare.org.uk
Anxiety UK
Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy. They work regularly with external agencies and healthcare professionals to improve services for those living with anxiety disorders. They also campaign to raise awareness of anxiety disorders. Anxiety UK can provide support and help if you’ve been diagnosed with, or suspect you may have an anxiety condition. We can also help you deal with specific phobias such as fear of spiders, blushing, vomiting, being alone, public speaking, heights – in fact, any fear that’s stopped you from getting on with your life.
Tel: 08444 775774 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-5.30pm)
BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy) Register
The BACP Register provides information regarding therapists and their registration. There is also a wealth of supporting information regarding types of therapist and what they do, and how to choose the most appropriate type of therapist for you.
Tel: 04155 883344 or 01455 883393
Email: ask@bacp.co.uk or info@bacpregister.org.uk
Click here to access BACP register
BEAT (The UK’s Eating Disorder Charity)
Beat is the UK’s leading charity supporting anyone affected by eating disorders or difficulties with food, weight and shape. Beats vision is that eating disorders will be beaten.
Beat’s aims are: To change the way everyone thinks and talks about eating disorders; To improve the way services and treatment are provided; And to help anyone believe that their eating disorder can be beaten.
We provide information and support through Helplines which people can call, text or email; on-line support including information, message boards, and on-line support groups; and Help-finder, an on-line directory of support services.
Helpline Tel: 0345 634 1414 Email: help@b-eat.co.uk
Youthline Tel: 0345 634 7650 Email: fyp@b-eat.co.uk
Text: 07786 20 18 20. If you would like a call back, send us the text message ‘call back’. We aim to get back to you within 24 hours and during Youthline open hours.
Big White Wall
A safe online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what’s troubling them, guided by trained professionals.
Available 24/7, Big White Wall is completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly. Professionally trained Wall Guides ensure the safety and anonymity of all members.
Bipolar UK
Bipolar UK is the national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with the much misunderstood and devastating condition of bipolar, their families and carers. We provide a range of services to enable people affected by bipolar and associated illnesses to take control of their lives.
For practical advice you can contact us on 020 7931 6480 Mon-Fri 9.00am to 5.00pm.
Body Dysmorphic Disorder Association
Our charity is dedicated to the relief of suffering from BDD. It aims to advance education and understanding of BDD. It supports research into BDD and its treatments. Whilst we are based in the UK, our reach is international and we are proud to be the only charity for BDD in the world. The charity offers resources, self-assessments, videos, books, and other support.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
The Campaign Against Living Miserably is targeted at all men in the UK. The campaign offers men help, information and advice via a phone and web service, although anyone, regardless of age, gender or geographic location can call the line.
Tel: Nationwide 0800 585858; London 0800 802 5858
Childhood Bereavement Network
Most young people will have been bereaved of someone close to them (a parent, sibling, grandparent, friend, teacher) by the time they are 16. Many will cope well with their loss, but all will need the support of those around them. The Childhood Bereavement Network offers such support.
Tel: 0115 911 8070
Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Every year we train nearly 7000 professionals, helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families. We provide confidential support, information, and guidance to families and professionals. Our professionally trained bereavement support workers are available to take calls 9am-5pm Monday-Friday.
Tel: 0800 02 888 40
ChildLine
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor about anything -no problem is too big or too small.
Freephone: 0800 1111
Civil Legal Advice (CLA)
Provision of civil legal advice to tell you if you are eligible for legal aid. They can give free and confidential legal advice in England and Wales.
Tel: 0845 345 4345
Combat Stress
If you are suffering mental ill-health caused by military service, we can help you. We are the leading Veterans’ mental health charity in the UK providing treatment for ex-Service personnel suffering with mental ill-health including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, anxiety and depression. It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, where you Served, or whether you saw combat – we may be able to help. If you are the loved one or carer of an ex-Service man or woman, there’s support for you too.
Our 24-Hour Helpline is there for you when you need to speak about mental health. If you are a Veteran, a serving member of the Armed Forces, reservist or a family member then please call on 0800 138 1619.
Text: 07537 404 719
Email: combat.stress@rethink.org
Community Advice & Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) Mental Health Helpline for Wales
Offers emotional support and information/literature on Mental Health and related matters to the people of Wales.
Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service. C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service. The helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Freephone 0800 132 737
Or text ‘help’ to 81066
The Compassionate Friends
TCF is a charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents who have suffered the death of a child/children.
We offer support both directly to bereaved families and indirectly by fostering understanding and good practice amongst professionals concerned with child death and by increasing public awareness.
We recognise that many who have suffered the loss of a child feel a bond with others similarly bereaved and wish to extend the hand of friendship.
Tel: 0845 123 4304 or 0117 953 9639
Console: The National Suicide Charity
Console aims to meet the needs of those who come to us for support, through Console’s 24/7 suicide helpline, individual and family therapy, support groups, training programmes, public awareness and suicide bereavement liaison service.
Console suicide helpline Tel: 1800 247 247 or Text HELP to 51444
Cruse Bereavement Care
Cruse Bereavement Care is here to support you after the death of someone close. If someone you know has died and you need to talk, call us on 0844 4779400 (costs apply). Face-to-face and group support is delivered by trained bereavement support volunteers across the UK. We also offer information, publications, and support for children.
Tel: 0844 477 9400
Depression Alliance
At Depression Alliance we bring people together to end the loneliness and isolation of depression. We also campaign to end the stigma of depression and to raise awareness of what it means to live with it.
Email: info@depressionalliance.org
Or alternatively you can call us during office hours on 0207 407 7584
Elefriends
Elefriends (run by the national mental health charity MIND) is a supportive on-line community where you can be yourself. We all know what it’s like to struggle sometimes, but now there’s a safe place to listen, share and be heard.
The Emotional Health Clinic
The Human Approach website is a personal initiative from Hugh Macnab who is a
psychotherapist in Cheshire, England. In this website, users are offered free treatment
programs for both Anxiety and Depression. The anxiety program is also suitable for people
suffering from PTSD, panic-attacks or phobias.
Suitable for use by anyone over the age of 18. Note that this is NOT self-help, it is ACTIVE TREATMENT
Employment Tribunal
The employment tribunal decides disputes between employers and employees about employment rights. They have a public enquiry line to answer general queries, provide information about tribunal publications and explain how the tribunal system works.
Public enquiry line: 0300 123 1024
Postal address for sending ET forms and fees: PO Box 10218, Leicester, LE1 8EG
Equality Advisory & Support Service (EASS)
The helpline can advise and assist you on issues relating to equality and human rights, across England, Scotland and Wales.
Tel: 0800 444 205
Text: 0899 444 206
Skype video BSL calls can access the helpline at radlegalservices.org.uk
Mon-Friday 9.00am-8.00pm; Sat 10.00am-2.00pm
Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
The EHRC is responsible for monitoring and protecting human rights in Britain. It has useful advice and information about legal rights and discrimination on its website. There are also copies of statutory documents, for example, the Equality Act 2010.
First Person Plural (Dissociative Identity Disorder Association)
First Person Plural specialises in facilitating mutual support, providing information, delivering training and raising awareness for all affected, or otherwise needing to understand about trauma-related complex dissociative conditions.
Tel: 01902 820082
Email: fpp@firstpersonplural.org.uk
First Steps to Freedom – Self Help UK
First Steps to Freedom is a registered charity which aims to help, in a practical way, those who suffer from phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder (excessive washing, checking, unwanted thoughts etc.), general anxiety, panic attacks and those who wish to come off tranquillisers, together with help for their carers.
Tel: 01926 864473
Email: first.steps@btconnect.com
Fit for Work (Employees)
Fit for Work is here to support you in work, and if you’re off sick, in a way that’s right for you. Whether you work for yourself, or an organisation, you can access our expert and impartial advice delivered by our team of occupational health professionals. You can chat on-line to a specialist advisor or speak to an advisor over the telephone.
This website also offers a browsable library of advice for different illnesses and work-related health matters.
Advice Line: 0800 032 6235
Hearing Voices Network
We offer information, support and understanding to people who hear voices and those who support them. The aims of the network are:
- To raise awareness of voice hearing, visions, tactile sensations and other sensory experiences
- To give men women and children who have these experiences an opportunity to talk freely about this together
- To support anyone with these experiences seeking to understand, learn and grow from them in their own way
nhvn@hotmail.co.uk
Enquiries and information: 0114 271 8120 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm) or 0845 122 8641
Hypnotherapy Directory
Hypnotherapy Directory was set up by a team who know how difficult it can be to find the support you need when tackling a personal problem. From the team that developed the Counselling Directory, they have created a platform to help people to access qualified hypnotherapists in their area. They provide support across a range of problems, including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, childbirth, and other areas.
Enquiries and information: 0333 3447 992 (Mon-Thu 9am-5pm; Fri 9am-4pm)
Law Centres Network (Legal advice enquiries)
Law Centres offer legal advice, casework and representation to individuals and groups.
Tel: 020 3637 1330
LawWorks
LawWorks is a legal charity that lists on its website the Free Legal Advice Clinics in England and Wales. These clinics can give you one-off, face-to-face advice if you have legal problems about consumer disputes, housing, social welfare law, or employment.
Listening Ear
Listening Ear is a registered charity and growing social enterprise, providing therapy and support services to children, young people and adults within Merseyside and Cheshire.
Mary Burgess Hypnotherapy
Mary Burgess Hypnotherapy provides a wide range of Hypnotherapy and wellness services. Choosing from the many options available for boosting overall health and well-being demands professional expertise, and Mary Burgess offers a fully confidential service.
Tel: 01243 430098
New for 2016 Couples Counselling call or details 01243 430098
Mental Health Foundation
We are working towards a world with good mental health, and ending the inequalities that face people experiencing mental health problems, living with learning disabilities or reduced mental capacity.
Tel: 020 7803 1100
Mind Infoline
We provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. We campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. We won’t give up until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect.
Tel: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
Mind Legal Line
Provision of legal information and general advice.
PO Box 277, Manchester, M60 3XN
Tel: 0300 466 6463 (Mon to Fri 9.00am – 5.00pm)
Email: legal@mind.org.uk
National Gulf Veterans & Families Association (NGVFA)
A charity set up to support veterans and their families, offering supporting, information, counselling, and other services.
Tel: 0845 257 4853 (0845 257 GULF)
Email : info@ngvfa.org.uk
National Institute of Mental Health
The mission of NIMH is to transform the understanding and treatment of mental illnesses through basic and clinical research, paving the way for prevention, recovery, and cure.
Email: NIMHinfo@mail.nih.gov
National Phobics Society
This website is made by a few individuals who felt that there was a need for better overall understanding of phobias and healthcare across the country. We are in no way an official organisation, but we simply want to share our thoughts, knowledge, experience and relevant news concerning phobias, diseases and healthcare in the United Kingdom.
Here you can find general information about what phobias are and how people cope with having phobias. In close relation to this we also tend to provide news about the UK healthcare system in the blog section of the website.
Email: nationalphobic@btconnect.com
National Self Harm Network
The forum provides crisis support, information and resources, advice, discussions and distractions.
The on-line forum is available 24/7 and is closely monitored
Helpline: 0800 622 6000
NHS Choices
Advice and guidance on health and social care issues, contact details for health support in your area.
NHS 111 (for non-emergencies, if you concern needs urgent emergency attention call 999)
NHS Stressline
People worried about debt, housing and unemployment can get support from the NHS Stressline. Callers will receive information and help from trained health advisers. If suffering from stress, anxiety or depression, they will be directed to a wider package of financial and mental health support services.
Tel: 0300 123 2000. It is open 8.00am-10.00pm daily.
No Panic
We provide information and advice for the carers of and people with Panic, Anxiety, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and the effects of Tranquiliser withdrawal. We can provide treatment and support over the telephone so that all sufferers can be helped. Please take all information and advice in tandem with the support from your local GP.
Helpline: freephone 0808 808 0545
OCD Action
We provide support and information to anybody affected by OCD, work to raise awareness of the disorder amongst the public and front-line healthcare workers, and strive to secure a better deal for people with OCD. We are a dedicated charity with a clear vision, solid objectives and a real understanding of OCD and the impact that it has. OCD Action is recognised as a strong voice for people with OCD, a vital source of help and the Charity that makes a real and lasting difference to anyone affected by OCD.
Helpline: 0845 390 6232
OCD-UK
We work with, and for children and adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, health professionals and researchers to develop and share our experiences and knowledge to help people increase their understanding about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and to help reduce the effect of OCD on the lives of those that suffer with this debilitating illness.
Tel: 0345 120 3778 or 0845 120 3778
Overeaters Anonymous Great Britain
Overeaters Anonymous offers a program of recovery from compulsive eating using the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions of OA. The Twelve Steps work for anyone with any eating issues including over eating, under eating, obesity, anorexia and bulimia. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop eating compulsively.
Tel: 07000 784985
PAPYRUS – Prevention of Young Suicide
We provide confidential support and advice to young people and anyone worried about a young person. We run a national helpline, HOPELineUK, including text and email services, staffed by a team of mental health professionals who provide practical help and advice to vulnerable young people and to those concerned about any young person who may be at risk of suicide.
Helpline: HOPELinkUK 0800 268 4141 (Friday 10.00am-5.00pm and 7.00pm-10.00pm; Weekdays 2.00pm-5.00pm)
PODS (Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors)
PODS (Positive Outcomes for Dissociative Survivors) is a project set up in 2010 as part of the charity Survivors Trauma and Abuse Recovery Trust. PODS works to make recovery from dissociative disorders a reality through training, informing and supporting.
Helpline: 0800 1814420 The helpline runs Tuesdays 1-5pm
Telephone Support: 01480 413582 Outside of the helpline hours you can telephone and leave a message and the helpline lead, Elisabeth, will get back to you when she is able to (she works Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday).
Email: Elisabeth@pods-online.org.uk
Rethink
Welcome to Rethink Mental Illness. We help millions of people affected by mental illness by challenging attitudes, changing lives. We offer a range of services including, advice and information, services and groups, campaigning, awareness raising, and fundraising.
info@rethink.org
0845 456 0455
National Advice Service: 0207 843188 (Mon-Fri 10.00am-3.00pm)
Samaritans
Talk to us any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.
Tel: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Saneline
SANE runs a national, out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. We are open every day of the year from 6.00pm to 11.00pm.
Tel: 0845 767 8000
Self Injury Support
Self injury Support (formerly Bristol Crisis Service for Women) is a national organisation that supports girls and women affected by self-injury or self-harm.
Self injury Support run a helpline, and text support service for girls and young women up to 24 years in the UK affected by self-harm. They are open Sun-Fri 7-9pm
Text us on 0780 047 2908 If you don’t know how to start talking, just text or email “hello”. Texts and emails will be replied to within 24 hours during opening times.
CASS – Women’s Self-injury Helpline 0808 800 8088
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Forces Help
We have been serving the Armed Forces community for 130 years and our experience has helped us understand the unique demands of service life. We are continually updating what we do to ensure we meet the changing needs of servicemen and women, veterans and their families. We currently offer welfare advice and support, health and social care services, specialist services, services for children, and housing.
Helpline: 0845 241 7141
Tel: 020 7403 8783
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exist to meet the needs and break the isolation experienced by those bereaved by suicide. We are a self-help organisation and we aim to provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, so giving and gaining support from each other. We also strive to improve public awareness and maintain contacts with many other statutory and voluntary organisations.
Tel: 0844 561 6855 (9am-9pm every day)
The Talk Easy Trust (Connect Bullying)
Connect Bullying offers free and confidential peer to peer mentoring for students by students for victims who are experiencing bullying. It is open to anyone face to face or via our social media pages.
We are a part of The Talk Easy Trust which provides a free and confidential face to face mentoring scheme for young children in schools so they can get the help they need fast and if they don’t feel comfortable talking to teachers we are there to talk to them. It is important that if you are being bullied we are there to help you and support you.
TOP UK (Triumph over Phobia)
TOP UK runs a network of self-help therapy groups for sufferers of phobias, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and other related anxiety disorders. Our groups are open to anyone, aged 18 or above. You do not need to have seen a doctor or have a formal diagnosis to attend one of our groups.
Office Tel: 01225 422705
Mobile Tel: 07763 826618
Email: info@topuk.org
Tweet: @TOP_UK_National
Time to Change
Mental Health problems are common, but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This can be even worse than the symptoms themselves. Time to Change is England’s biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.
Tel: 020 8215 2356
Email: info@time-to-change.org.uk
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people. Driven by their experiences we campaign, research and influence policy and practice. We also provide expert knowledge to professionals, parents and young people through our Parents’ Helpline, on-line resources, training and development, outreach work and publications.
Parents’ Information Service: 0808 802 5544 (Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.00pm)
Media Support
Time to Change
Time to Change provide media advice and guidance, and we encourage those who report stories which include mental health, to consider these.
Support for Employers
ACAS (Advisory Conciliation & Arbitration Service)
Provision of information, advice, training, conciliation and other services for employers and employees to help prevent and resolve workplace problems
Tel: 0300 123 1100 (Mon-Fri 8.00am-8.00pm; Sat 9.00am-1.00pm)
Fit for Work (Employers)
Fit for Work helps you to better understand and manage sickness absence within your organisation. Expert and impartial advice is delivered by our team of occupational health professionals. You can chat on-line a specialist advisor, email or call them. They also have a library of advice containing aticles on a range of health and work topics.
Advice Line: 0800 032 6235
Time to Change
Mental Health problems are common, but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This can be even worse than the symptoms themselves. Time to Change is England’s biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination. Information for managers: http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/your-organisation/support-employers
Tel: 020 8215 2356
Email: info@time-to-change.org.uk
Support for GPs, Health & Social Care Professionals
Bereavement Services Association (BSA)
The BSA was established in May 2005 in an attempt to provide a network for all those who provide bereavement support services, primarily within the NHS.
Tel: 01223 217 769
British Medical Association
Our confidential, nationwide counselling service for doctors and medical students is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Talk through any issues which may be worrying you in total privacy, confident that you are getting the best possible support.
Tel: 0330 123 1245 Phone lines open: 08:30 to 18:00 Monday to Friday
(excluding UK bank holidays)
The Compassionate Friends
TCF is a charitable organisation of bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents dedicated to the support and care of other bereaved parents, siblings, and grandparents who have suffered the death of a child/children.
We offer support both directly to bereaved families and indirectly by fostering understanding and good practice amongst professionals concerned with child death and by increasing public awareness.
We recognise that many who have suffered the loss of a child feel a bond with others similarly bereaved and wish to extend the hand of friendship.
Tel: 0845 123 4304 or 0117 953 9639
Doctors Support Network
The Doctors’ Support Network (DSN) is a fully confidential, friendly self-
These concerns include stress, burnout, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, psychoses and eating disorders. The group believes that contact with and support from other doctors can help recovery.
All doctors in the group have themselves been troubled at some stage in their lives. This group is therefore well placed to help those who are beginning the slow process of re-
Fit for Work (General Practitioners)
Advice and guidance for GPs about sickness absence, fitness for, and return to work of patients. GPs throughout England and Wales can refer employed patients to Fit for Work, with their consent, if they are, or are likely to be, off sick for four weeks or more.
Advice Line: 0800 032 6235
OCD-UK
We work with, and for children and adults with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, health professionals and researchers to develop and share our experiences and knowledge to help people increase their understanding about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder and to help reduce the effect of OCD on the lives of those that suffer with this debilitating illness.
Tel: 0345 120 3778 or 0845 120 3778