At It’s OK we are unable to provide any individual help. Please see below for a list of in-person and online ways to get help and support for your mental health.
IN-PERSON HELP AND CRISIS SUPPORT
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Crisis Care
If you or someone you know is experiencing a wellbeing crisis and/or wants to end their life, please contact the ambulance (999) or your GP as soon as possible. If you or the person feels they cannot keep themselves safe, stay with someone until help arrives. Please know that there is no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings. The most important thing is to seek support so that you or the person you are concerned about do not have to struggle with those feelings alone. If suicidal feelings become intense or develop into urges and/or plans please seek emergency support as soon as possible.
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Talking Therapies
Therapy for common disorders such as depression and anxiety are now widely available across England thanks to the Improving Access to Therapies (IAPT) services. Each borough or locality has its own therapy service which can vary in size, waiting times, and therapeutic options available. The most commonly available therapy is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Most services have a local website where you can look up how to get access to their service. Some require referrals via a GP, whilst others accept self-referrals. *
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Mental Health Referrals
Adults aged 18 and over need to access Adult Mental Health Services. Both Adults and CAMHS services provide support for depression, problems with food, self-harm, abuse, violence or anger, bipolar, schizophrenia and anxiety, and more. There are local NHS services around the UK, with teams made up of nurses, therapists, psychologists, support workers and social workers, as well as other professionals. You can refer yourself for an assessment with either service to see what help you could get. We would suggest initially visiting your local GP to see what help can be offered to you there. Referrals can often take from 6 weeks to 12 months so please not this is often not a short term solution. To find therapies in your local area, please go to http://bit.do/findtherapynhs *
*due to the ongoing situation with Covid-19 referrals may be slower than usual.
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AnxietyAnxiety UK (www.anxietyuk.org.uk) Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition. Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm)
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DepressionMental Health Foundation (https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk) Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities. Mind (https://www.mind.org.uk/) Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm) Rethink Mental Illness (https://www.rethink.org/) Support and advice for people living with mental illness. Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm) Samaritans (http://www.samaritans.org.uk/) Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair. Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline) SANE (http://www.sane.org.uk/) Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. SANEline: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm) YoungMinds Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals. Phone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
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BipolarBipolar UK (https://www.bipolaruk.org/) A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
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Drug and AlcoholFrank (https://www.talktofrank.com/) Web-based information as well as an email service and helpline. Website contains A-Z of drugs and advice on what to do if you are worried about a friend. Helpline 0300 123 6600, 2pm to 6pm
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Eating DisordersBEAT (https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/) The National charity for eating disorders, 08088010711 (for under 18s), 08088010677 (for adults). Helplines are open 365 days a year from 12pm–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. Beat also offers a one-to-one web chat and online support groups.
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For MenCALM (https://www.thecalmzone.net/) CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is a health promotion charity with the aim of reducing male suicide in the UK. Website contains helpful information and ways to get involved. 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight, 7 days a week) Men’s Health Forum (https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/) 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email. HUMEN (https://www.wearehumen.org/) HUMEN provides space for men to talk, listen and connect online every Monday at 18:30. StrongMen (https://www.strongmen.org.uk/) StrongMen is a charity aiming to tackle emotional and mental health issues brought about by the suffering from bereavement. UK Men’s Sheds Association (https://menssheds.org.uk/) UK Men’s Sheds Association is an organisation that offers community spaces for men to connect, converse and create. The activities are often similar to those of garden sheds, but for groups of men to enjoy together. They help reduce loneliness and isolation, but most importantly, they’re fun.
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People of ColourThe Mental Health Foundation (https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/b/black-asian-and-minority-ethnic-bame-communities) The Mental Health Foundation has some highly beneficial information on their website regarding BAME Mental Health and the barriers which exist for people of colour in relation to accessing therapy. Black, African and Asian therapy network (https://www.baatn.org.uk/) This network is the home of the largest community of Counsellors and Psychotherapists of Black, African, Asian and Caribbean Heritage in the UK. If you can afford therapy (which can be relatively cheap as some therapists offer a sliding scale where you can get therapy as low as £10 a session!) Black Minds Matter (https://www.blackmindsmatteruk.com/) Connecting Black individuals and families with free mental health services — by professional Black therapists to support their mental health.
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LGBTQ+switchboard.lgbt (https://switchboard.lgbt/) The LGBT+ switchboard helpline provides listening services, information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities. 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day) email: chris@switchboard.lgbt Allsorts (https://www.allsortsyouth.org.uk/) Allsorts is charity which supports young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTQU) of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity 01273 721211. Free helpline, 10am-5pm, Monday – Friday LifeSIGNS (https://www.lifesigns.org.uk/) Self-Injury Guidance & Network Support. Ideas and guidance for anyone affected by self-injury. Small charity run by LGB people with personal experience of self-injury. Anonymous Support Forum, clear fact-sheets, and active across social networks e.g. @LifeSIGNS LGBT Foundation (http://lgbt.foundation/) Helpline run by Lesbian and gay health charity. Email: info@lgbt.foundation 0845 3 30 30 30 or 0161 235 8035 (10am-10pm, daily)
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OCD and Panic DisordersNo Panic (http://www.nopanic.org.uk/) No Panic helps people who experience Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorders and other related anxiety disorders including those people who are trying to give up Tranquillizers. Helpline 0844 967 4848, 7 days 10am to 10pm
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Suicide PreventionPapyrus (https://www.papyrus-uk.org/) A site focused on preventing young suicide with dedicated sections on resources for young people and their friends. Hopeline UK 0800 0684141 Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm Prevent suicide (https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/) Grassroots preventing suicide has an app with help and resources for people who feel suicidal or are supporting someone else.
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University StudentsNightline association (https://www.nightline.ac.uk/want-to-talk/) A confidential listening, support and practical information service for University students. You can talk to them about anything – big or small – in complete confidence without judgement. Call (+44)207 631 01016pm to 8am BST every night of term Student Minds (https://www.studentminds.org.uk/) The student minds website has a wealth of information and resources about being a student and managing your mental health as well as information if you are concerned about a friend.
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GeneralRethink (https://www.rethink.org/) Rethink Mental Illness helps millions of people affected by mental illness by challenging attitudes, changing lives. The website contains A-Z factsheets on conditions, treatments, living with mental illness also information for carers. Advice line 0300 5000 927 Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm Samaritans (https://www.samaritans.org/) Samaritans provide a helpline for people wanting assistance to talk about issues related to their wellbeing or any other problem troubling them. They offer phone, email and text support. Helpline 08457 909090, 24hrs, 7 days a week Sane (http://www.sane.org.uk/) Helpline offering practical information and emotional support in a crisis. 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day). Befrienders (https://www.befrienders.org/) Befrienders worldwide is a worldwide directory of emotional support helplines. Call helpline (https://www.callhelpline.org.uk/) Provides listening services, information and support for people experiencing a mental health problem in Wales. Also provides a text messaging service. 0800 123 737 Helplines (https://helplines.org/) Is a directory of helplines available in the UK which you can search to find support suited to you. Hub of hope (https://hubofhope.co.uk/) The Hub of Hope is a database bringing grassroots and national mental health services together in one place. You are able to search for services using your postcode. Mind (https://www.mind.org.uk/) Mind is a mental health charity offering both frontline services and online information. A-Z information about mental health and information and support can be found on their website. Info line 0300 123 3393 Legal Advice line 0300 466 6463 Royal College of Psychiatrists (https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/) Information for young people, parents and carers about young people’s mental health. This website provides user-friendly and evidence-based information on mental health problems, treatments and other topics, written by psychiatrists with help from patients and carers. The Mix (https://www.themix.org.uk/) Everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health. We’re here. The Mix is a charity that provides free, confidential support for young people under 25. Support. Advice. Information. 0808 808 4994 (Sunday–Friday 2pm–11pm) NICE (https://www.nice.org.uk/) Produces clinical guidelines on recommended treatments for different conditions, including guidance about joint crisis plans.