Mental health help and support services

If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help.

At Time to Change, we focus on challenging stigma and discrimination in society, so we’re not able to provide individual or emergency support for people in crisis. But there are lots of people who can. They are listed here:

Barnados

Understanding Lifestyle and Mental Health

 

Samaritans

Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)

Email: jo@samaritans.org                      Website: https://www.samaritans.org 

Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.

Mind Info line

Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm Monday to Friday) or text 86463

Email: info@mind.org.uk              Website: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines 

Mind provides confidential mental health information services.

With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The Infoline gives information on types of mental health problems, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind works in partnership with around 140 local Minds providing local mental health services.

Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line

Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday)

Email: advice@rethink.org

Website: http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice 

Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England.

Saneline

Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm-10:30pm)

Website: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline 

Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.

The Mix

Telephone: 0808 808 4994 (11am-11pm, free to call)

Email: Helpline email form             Crisis Support: Text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258.

Website: www.themix.org.uk/get-support 

The Mix provides judgement-free information and support to young people aged 13-25 on a range of issues including mental health problems. Young people can access the The Mix’s support via phone, email, webchat, peer to peer and counselling services.

ChildLine

Telephone: 0800 1111                          Website: www.childline.org.uk 

ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a ChildLine counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small. 

Side by Side

Website: https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk/about 

Side by Side is an online community where you can listen, share and be heard. Side by Side is run by Mind. 

SHOUT

Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.

Text: 85258                  Website: https://www.giveusashout.org/ 

NHS England IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies)

If you’re based in England, you can use webpage to find and refer yourself to mental health services in your area.

Website: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/ 

Carers

If you’re a carer needing support you can contact all of the above as well as Carers Direct and the Carers Trust, both of whom are able to provide support and advice on any issues affecting you.

What should I do if I’m supporting someone in a crisis?

If the person seems really unwell, and you are worried about their safety, you should encourage them to seek help.