Seeking help for a mental health problem
A guide to taking the first steps, making empowered decisions and getting the right support for you.
Useful contacts
Other organisations
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
bacp.co.uk
Professional body for talking therapy and counselling. Provides information and a list of accredited therapists.
Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.)
0800 132 737 (helpline)
81066 (text HELP plus your message)
callhelpline.org.uk
Provides information and support for people experiencing a mental health problem in Wales.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
0800 58 58 58
thecalmzone.net
Provides listening services, information and support for anyone who needs to talk, including a web chat.
Healthtalk.org
healthtalk.org
Information about people's experiences of mental health problems and treatments, including audio and videos.
Hub of Hope
hubofhope.co.uk
UK-wide mental health service database. Lets you search for local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support. You can filter results to find specific kinds of support.
NHS 111 (England)
111
18001 111 (text relay)
NHS 111 BSL service
111.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people in England.
NHS 111 (Wales)
111
111.wales.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people living in Wales. Select option 2 to access a 24/7 helpline offering urgent mental health support.
NHS Services Finder
nhs.uk/service-search (England)
111.wales.nhs.uk/localservices (Wales)
Searchable database of NHS services.
NHS UK
nhs.uk
Information about health problems and treatments, including details of local NHS services in England.
Patient
patient.info
Offers information about healthcare. Has a directory of health professionals, including information about private healthcare and professional qualifications.
Samaritans
116 123 (freephone)
[email protected]
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person. Samaritans also have a Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
Professional organisations
General Medical Council (GMC)
gmc-uk.org
Helps to protect patients and support doctors, and maintains a register of licensed doctors.
Information Standard
england.nhs.uk/tis
Certification programme for all organisations who produce healthcare information for the public.
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
nice.org.uk
Produces guidelines on best practice in healthcare.
This information was published in December 2017.
This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published.
References and bibliography available on request.
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