Mental Health Support

Asking for help is not only brave, but also vital for either maintaining good mental health or recovering from and managing mental ill-health.

This page is all about information on different ways to get help for your mental health and how to access support.

Talking

Talking about your feelings and asking for help is part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy. 

  • Family and friends can be a vital source of support when things are difficult. You may already have some people you know that you can speak to if you are feeling unwell. Reaching out to the people in our lives is a key element of regaining and maintaining good mental health.  
  • Opening up to someone you trust - Sometimes relationships with friends – and with family in particular – aren’t so straightforward. If you’ve not spoken to friends or family about your mental health before, it’s worth giving some thought to which person you might approach. You will likely have a sense of who has more capacity to offer support, and who will be able best understand and empathise with what you are experiencing.  
  • If you do not have someone you can talk to - there are other ways to gain support, such as through an online community or peer support. See the information below on this. 

Mental health online

Sometimes the start of getting help can be making sense of what you are going through. You could do this by reading about it online. Getting informed may help you to collect your thoughts before you take the next step of reaching out for further support with your GP, a therapist, a charity etc. on the phone or face to face.

Mental Health Foundation resources:

Mind information and support 

Rethink information and support 

NHS information and support 

Helplines

You might find it comforting to speak to someone on the phone when wanting more information about mental health – there are information lines available that are dedicated to just this: 

Helplines for information

Mind info line

Available Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm to provide information on a range of topics including: 

  • Types of mental health problems 
  • Where to get help 
  • Medication and alternative treatments 
  • Advocacy. 

Call Mind info line on 0300 123 3393

 

Rethink advice and information line  

Available Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm for practical advice on: 

  • Different types of therapy and medication 
  • Benefits, debt, money issues 
  • Police, courts, prison 
  • Your rights under the Mental Health Act. 

Call Rethink on 0300 5000 927 (UK) (calls are charged at your local rate). 

 

NHS Choices

24-hour national helpline providing health advice and information.  

Call NHS choices for free on 111 (UK) 

Helplines for emotional support

Samaritans helpline

The Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day - in full confidence. 

Call 116 123 - it's FREE or email jo@samaritans.org.uk

 

Crisis Text Line  

If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support. 

Shout can help with urgent issues such as: 

  • Suicidal thoughts 
  • Abuse or assault 
  • Self-harm 
  • Bullying 
  • Relationship challenges 

Text Shout to 85258 (UK)

 

CALM

National helpline for men to talk about any troubles they are feeling.  

Call 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm-midnight 365 days of the year. 

A&E

If you are having difficulty understanding or controlling your emotions, or experience suicidal thoughts, please go to your nearest A&E department where you can be helped by trained professionals with experience of supporting people in distress. 

Find your nearest A&E here

This information is based on information from The Mental Health Foundation.