Mental health helplines

Whether you're concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines can offer expert advice.

Depression, anxiety, obsession and mental health

  • Rethink
    Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
    Phone: 0300 5000 927
    Website: www.rethink.org
  • Depression Alliance
    Charity for sufferers of depression. Has a network of self-help groups.
    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
  • 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: 0300 123 3393
    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
  • 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)

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:

Eating disorders

Learning disabilities

  • Mencap
    Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
    Phone: 0300 333 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.
    Phone: 0845 120 3778
    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

Last reviewed: 17/12/2011

Next review due: 17/12/2013

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