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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 

Mind's services

  • Helplines – our Infolines provide information and support by phone, email and text.
  • Local Minds – provide face-to-face services across England and Wales. These might be talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
  • Side by Side – our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

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
A national database of mental health charities and organisations from across Britain who offer mental health advice and support.

NHS 111 (England)

111
111.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people in England.

NHS 111 Wales

111 (Hywel Dda, Powys, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay (including Brigend) Health Boards)
0845 46 47 (all other areas of Wales)
111.wales.nhs.uk
Non-emergency medical help and advice for people living in Wales. The contact number for this service differs depending on which area of Wales you are in.

NHS Service Finder

nhs.uk/service-search
Searchable database of NHS services in England.

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]
Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK
PO Box 90 90
Stirling FK8 2SA
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.

Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC)

nmc.org.uk
Regulates nurses and midwives in the UK.

This information was published in December 2017. We will revise it in 2020.

References are available on request. If you would like to reproduce any of this information, see our page on permissions and licensing.

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