Alcohol
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
The Al-Anon Family Groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experiences, strength and hope in order to solve their common problems. They believe alcoholism is a family illness and that changed attitudes can aid recovery. Alateen is part of the Al-Anon fellowship and is for young people, aged twelve to seventeen (inclusive), who are affected by a problem drinker.
Helpline: 020 7403 0888 , every day, 10:00am-10:00pm (lo-call rate)
Email: enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Support is provided, which is confidential and anonymous, through local self help group meetings.
Landline: 0845 769 7555 , also see the website for local group helplines (lo-call rate)
Email: help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Anxiety
ANXIETY UK
Formerly The National Phobics? Society. 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 services. Support and help are provided for people who are diagnosed with, or suspect they may have, an anxiety condition. Also helps with specific phobias, such as fear of spiders, blushing, vomiting, being alone, public speaking and fear of heights.
Helpline: 0844 477 5774 , Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30am (lo-call rate)
Email: info@anxietyuk.org.uk
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
NO PANIC
Helps people suffering from panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders, other related anxiety disorders, including tranquilliser withdrawal, and provides support to sufferers and their families and carers.
Helpline: 0808 808 0545 , every day, 10:00am-10:00pm (freephone)
Email: ceo@nopanic.org.uk
Website: wwww.nopanic.org.uk
Bereavement
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE
Promotes the well-being of bereaved people and helps to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. The organisation provides counselling and support, information and advice.
Helpline: 0844 477 9400 , Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:00pm (lo-call rate)
Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk
Website: www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
SURVIVORS OF BEREAVEMENT BY SUICIDE
Offers emotional and practical support to break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend.
Helpline: 0844 561 6855 , every day, 9:00am-9:00pm (lo-call rate)
Email: sobs.admin@care4free.net
Website: www.uk-sobs.org.uk
THE COMPASSIONATE FRIENDS (TCF)
The Compassionate Friends 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.
Helpline: 0845 123 2304 , every day, 10:00am-4:00pm and 6:30pm-10:30pm (lo-call rate)
Email: info@tcf.org.uk
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
Carers
PRINCESS ROYAL TRUST FOR CARERS
Provides a range of information, advice and support services for carers throughout the UK via a network of 129 independently managed Carers’ Centres and interactive websites.
Telephone: 020 7480 7788 (London Office), Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm (national rate) – also has offices in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Email: help@carers.org
Website: www.carers.org
Children and Young People
HANDS ON SCOTLAND
HandsOnScotland is an online resource for anybody working with children and young people. The website provides practical information and techniques on how to respond helpfully to children and young people’s troubling behaviour and offers advice and activities on how to help them flourish.
Email: handson@nhs.net
Website: www.handsonscotland.co.uk
NSPCC – NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN
The NSPCC runs around 180 services for children, young people and their families across the UK. These services carry out vital work to protect children in every area of their lives – at home, at school, and in the community.
The NSPCC also provides support and advice via its listening services, which include the NSPCC Helpline for adults and ChildLine for children and young people. (see below)
Helpline: 0808 800 5000 , and Asian Helpline, every day, 24 hours a day (freephone)
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
CHILDLINE
ChildLine counsellors are trained staff and volunteers who all have experience of listening and talking to children and young people.
ChildLine is supported by the NSPCC.
Childline: 0800 11 11 , every day, 24 hours a day (freephone)
Website: www.childline.org.uk
YOUNGMINDS
The UK’s leading charity, committed to improving the emotional well-being and mental health of children and young people. Driven by the experiences of children, young people, parents and carers, YoungMinds raises awareness of children and young people’s mental health and provides expert knowledge through training, outreach work, publications and a telephone helpline for parents and carers.
Helpline: 0808 802 5544 , Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm and Wednesdays, 6:00pm-8:00pm (freephone)
Email: Email form (use the on the YoungMinds website)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Counselling
BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR COUNSELLING AND PSYCHOTHERAPY (BACP)
Information about counselling and a comprehensive list of accredited counsellors in local areas in Britain. There is also a Scottish equivalent organisation called COSCA (Counselling and Psychotherapy in Scotland).
Telephone: 0870 443 5219 , Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm (up to 8p a minute)
Email: bacp@bacp.co.uk
Website: www.bacp.co.uk
COUNSELLING DIRECTORY
Provides a counselling support network, enabling those in distress to find a counsellor close to them and appropriate for their needs. Offers a free and confidential service that will hopefully encourage those in distress to seek help. The website also contains information on emotional disorders and provides some useful statistics.
Telephone: 01252 416334 , General Enquiries, Monday-Friday, 9.00am-5.00pm (national rate)
Email: info@counselling-directory.org.uk
Website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Crisis
NHS DIRECT
Provides 24 hour access to nurse advice, information about healthcare and about local health services. Contact NHS Direct for help with a current health concern, to ask about out of hours doctors’ services and for emergency health advice.
Helpline: 0845 46 47, every day, 24 hours a day (lo-call rate)
Website: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
SAMARITANS
Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental support, 24 hours a day for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
Telephone: 0845 7 90 90 90 , every day, 24 hours a day (lo-call rate)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
SANE
SANE is one of the UK’s leading charities concerned with improving the lives of everyone affected by mental illness.
Helpline: 0845 767 8000 , every day, 1:00pm-11:00pm (lo-call rate)
Email: sanemail@sane.org.uk
Website: www.sane.org.uk
Debt
CITIZENS ADVICE BUREAU
Helps people to resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free information and advice. Local Citizen Advice Bureaux may be available through Email, telephone, home visits, surgeries and at community-based offices.
Telephone: Click here for local and regional telephone numbers.
Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
CONSUMER CREDIT COUNSELLING SERVICE (CCCS)
An independent charity that provides free debt and budgeting advice.
Helpline: 0800 138 1111 , Monday-Friday, 8:00am-8:00pm (freephone)
Email: contactus@cccs.co.uk
Website: www.cccs.co.uk
Depression
ACTION ON DEPRESSION
Supports the running of self help support groups in various parts of Scotland which offer the opportunity for confidential local support and contact with others in a similar situation.
Provides an information service offering support and information on depression to individuals, their families and friends and professionals working with people who have depression; a quarterly members newsletter and a range of helpful publications.
Telephone: 0808 802 2020 (free even from mobiles), Information Service, Wednesdays, 2:00pm-4:00pm
Email: info@actionondepression.org
Website: www.actionondepression.org
THE ASSOCIATION FOR POSTNATAL ILLNESS
The Association provides a telephone helpline. information leaflets for sufferers and healthcare professionals as well as a network of volunteers, (telephone and postal), who have themselves experienced postnatal illness.
Helpline: 020 7386 0868 , Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:00am-2:00pm and Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00am-5:00pm (national rate)
Email: info@apni.org
Website: www.apni.org
BIPOLAR UK (Previously called MDF – The Bipolar Organisation.)
A user-led charity that works to enable people affected by bipolar disorder (manic depression) to take control of their lives. Provides information, and a wide range of support services for members. Also helps people by supporting self-management, and with a national helpline and local self help groups throughout the UK.
Helpline: 0845 634 0540 , Monday-Friday, 10:00am-4:00pm (lo-call rate)
Email: mdf@mdf.org.uk
Website: www.mdf.org.uk
DEPRESSION ALLIANCE
Supports people with experience of depression through a pen-friend scheme, membership and newsletter. Provides information and publications and campaigns to raise awareness of depression. Also operates a network of local self help groups throughout the UK, with support for new groups and information about existing groups. Click here…
Telephone: 0845 123 23 20 (to request an information pack only)
Email: information@depressionalliance.org
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
JOURNEYS
Journeys (Towards Recovery from Depression) is the only organisation with the sole purpose of supporting people affected by depression in Wales, and their family and friends.
Journeys takes a holistic approach to overcoming depression through guided self help, building the foundations for sustainable and long-term well being. Provides information, practical resources, services and training that promote the development of skills and strategies to help people find their own route to recovery, and also co-ordinates a network of self help groups.
Telephone: 029 2069 2891
Email: info@journeysonline.org.uk
Website: www.journeysonline.org.uk
MEET A MUM
An online forum offering support and friendship to all mothers and mothers-to-be, especially those feeling lonely or isolated after the birth of a baby or moving to a new area.
Website: http://meetamumuk.forumotion.co.uk
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER ASSOCIATION (SADA)
Information and membership packs for people effected by Seasonal Affective Disorder (also generally known as winter depression).
Website: www.sada.org.uk
Drugs
FRANK
Free and confidential, advice, support, counselling and information for anyone effected by drug misuse.
Helpline: 0800 77 66 00 (freephone – 120 languages spoken), every day, 24 hours a day
Email: Email form (use the on the FRANK website)
Website: www.talktofrank.com
Eating Disorders
BEATING EATING DISORDERS (BEAT)
Information and help on all aspects of eating disorders, including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, binge eating disorder and related eating disorders. Also operates a network of local self help groups and a membership scheme.
Helpline: 0845 634 1414 , Monday-Friday, 10:30am-8:30pm and Saturdays, 1:00pm-4:30pm; Bank Holidays, 11:30am-2:30pm (lo-call rate)
Youthline: 0845 634 7650 , Monday-Friday, 4:30am-8:30pm and Saturdays, 1:00pm-4:30pm; Bank Holidays, 11:30am-2:30pm (lo-call rate)
Email: help@b-eat.co.uk
Youth Email: fyp@b-eat.co.uk
Website: www.b-eat.co.uk
Medication
Useful information concerning medication can be found on the websites of Mind and The Royal College of Psychiatrists.
MIND
The leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Mind has confidential help and advice on a range of mental health issues. Also has a diverse range of information, leaflets, factsheets and publications – including pharmaceutical and complementary treatments; mental health conditions; positive mental health and rights for service users. Provides information and support to people with experience of mental ill health and to carers.
InfoLine: 0845 766 0163 , Monday-Friday, 9:15pm-5:15pm (lo-call rate)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk/Information
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS
The College promotes mental health by setting standards and promoting excellence in mental health care and by working with patients, carers and their organisations.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 , Monday-Friday, 9:00pm-5:00pm (national rate)
Email: rcpsych@rcpsych.ac.uk
Website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation.aspx
Mental Health
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
A UK charity that provides information, carries out research, campaigns and works to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems, whatever their age and wherever they live. The website has an online ‘Mental Health A-Z’, offering information on problems, issues and treatment options, including the latest news, upcoming events and relevant organisations.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mental Health A-Z: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/information/mental-health-a-z
MIND
Mind has confidential help and advice on a range of mental health issues. Also has a diverse range of information, leaflets, factsheets and publications – including pharmaceutical and complementary treatments; mental health conditions; positive mental health and rights for service users. Provides information and support to people with experience of mental ill health and to carers.
InfoLine: 0845 766 0163 , Monday-Friday, 9:15pm-5:15pm (lo-call rate)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
RETHINK
Works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. Operates a range of community based mental services (E.g. housing support projects) and local self help groups throughout the UK.
Information Line: 020 8974 6814 , Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 10:00am-3:00pm and Tuesday and Thursday, 10:00am-1:00pm (national rate)
Email: advice@rethink.org
Website: www.rethink.org
THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS
The College promotes mental health by setting standards and promoting excellence in mental health care and by working with patients, carers and their organisations.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 , Monday-Friday, 9:00pm-5:00pm (national rate)
Email: rcpsych@rcpsych.ac.uk
Website: www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation.aspx
SPEAKING UP
Speaking Up is a national advocacy charity supporting people with learning difficulties, mental health issues and physical disabilities to find their voices, take action and create positive change.
Office: 01223 566258 , Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm
Referral Line: 0845 650 0081 , Independent Mental Capacity Advocate (IMCA)
Email: info@speakingup.org
Website: www.speakingup.org
Self Harm
BRISTOL CRISIS SERVICE FOR WOMEN
Support to women in emotional distress, and particularly to those who self-injure. Range of leaflets about self-injury and issues relating to self-injury and sexual abuse (can be printed off from their website). Available in various languages. Newsletter for young women.
Helpline: 0117 925 1119 , Friday and Saturday, 9:30pm-12:30am and Sunday, 6:00pm-9:00pm (national rate)
Email: Email form (use the on the Bristol Crisis Service for Women website)
Website: www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk
NATIONAL SELF HARM NETWORK (NSHN)
Provides information, contacts and workshops on matters relating to self harm. Operates a postal and Email network of members who self harm; write or email for details.
Address: NSHN, PO Box 7264, Nottingham, NG1 6WJ
Email: info@nshn.co.uk
Website: www.nshn.co.uk