Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines can offer expert advice.
General
- Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 08457 90 90 90 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
- Sane
Charity offering support and carrying out research into mental illness.
Phone: 0845 767 8000 (daily, 6pm-11pm)
SANEmail email: sanemail@org.uk
Website: www.sane.org.uk
- Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0845 766 0163
Website: www.mind.org.uk
- The Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for everyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
- YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
- SignHealth
A healthcare charity for deaf people. Counselling service available.
Phone: Voice 01925 652520 Minicom 01925 652529
- PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Abuse (child, sexual, domestic violence)
- NSPCC
Children's charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty.
Phone: 0800 1111 for Childline for children
0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk
- Refuge
Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
Addiction (drugs, alcohol, gambling)
- Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: 0845 769 7555
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
- Narcotics Anonymous
Phone: 0300 999 1212
Website: www.ukna.org
- Gamblers Anonymous
Phone: 020 7384 3040 (London) 0161 976 5000 (Manchester) 0114 262 0026 (Sheffield) 0121 233 1335 (Birmingham) 0287 135 1329 (Ulster)
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Alzheimer's
- Alzheimer's Society
Provides information on dementia, including factsheets and helplines.
Phone: 0845 300 0336
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Bereavement
Crime victims
Find your local helpline at:
Depression, anxiety, obsession and mental health
- Mind
Phone: 0845 766 0163
Website: www.mind.org.uk
- Sane
Phone: 0845 767 8000
Website: www.sane.org.uk
- Rethink
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0845 456 0455
Website: www.rethink.org
- Depression Alliance
Charity for sufferers of depression. Has a network of self-help groups.
Phone: 0845 123 2320
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
- CALM
CALM is The Campaign against Living Miserably, for men aged 15-35.
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
- MDF: the bipolar organisation
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Website: www.mdf.org.uk
Eating disorders
Learning disabilities
- Mencap
Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Phone: 0808 808 1111
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
Obsessions
- OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) Action
Support for people with obsessive compulsive disorder. Includes information on treatment and online resources.
Phone: 0845 390 6232
Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
- OCD UK
Charity website run by obsessive compulsives. Includes facts, news and treatments.
Website: www.ocduk.org
Panic and anxiety
- Panic attacks
Website offering free online course for people who suffer from panic attacks.
Phone: 01273 776 770 (to enrol only)
Website: www.panic-attacks.co.uk
- No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and OCD. Offers a course to help overcome your phobia/OCD. Includes a helpline.
Phone: 0808 808 0545
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
- No more panic
Information for sufferers and carers of people with panic, anxiety or phobias (OCD). Has a discussion forum.
Website: www.nomorepanic.co.uk
Parenting
Phobias
- Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you've been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 08444 775 774
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Relationships
- Relate
Phone: 0300 100 1234 (for information on their services)
Website: www.relate.org.uk
