Mental health problems – an introduction

View this information as a PDF (new window) 

Order this information as a print booklet

Useful contacts 

Other organisations

Anxiety UK

03444 775 774 (helpline) 
07537 416 905 (text)
anxietyuk.org.uk
Advice and support for people living with anxiety.

Beat

0808 801 0677 (adult helpline)
0808 801 0711 (youthline)
0808 801 0811 (studentline)
beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Offers information and advice on eating disorders, and runs a supportive online community. Also provides a directory of support services at HelpFinder.

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.

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.

Carers UK

0808 808 7777
029 2081 1370 (Carers Wales)
[email protected]
carersuk.org
Advice and support for anyone who provides care.

Disability Rights UK

disabilityrightsuk.org
Information and support for people living with a disability.

FRANK

0300 123 6600
talktofrank.com
Confidential advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law.

Hafal

hafal.org
Information and support for people affected by mental health problems in Wales.

Hearing Voices Network

hearing-voices.org
Information and support for people who hear voices or have other unshared perceptions, including local support groups.

MindOut

mindout.org.uk
Mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people.

National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)

nice.org.uk
Produces guidelines on best practice in healthcare.

NHS UK

nhs.uk
Information about health problems and treatments, including details of local NHS services in England.

No Panic

0300 7729844
nopanic.org.uk
Provides a helpline, step-by-step programmes, and support for people with anxiety disorders.

Papyrus HOPELINEUK

0800 068 41 41
07860 039967 (text)
[email protected]
papyrus-uk.org
Confidential support for under-35s at risk of suicide and others who are concerned about them. Open daily from 9am–midnight.

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).

Sane

sane.org.uk
Offers emotional support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems.

Student Minds

studentminds.org.uk
Mental health charity that supports students.

Time to Change

time-to-change.org.uk (England)
timetochangewales.org.uk (Wales)
National campaign to end stigma and discrimination against people with mental health problems in England and Wales. The campaign for England ended in 2021, but its resources are still available online.

Turning Point

turning-point.co.uk
Health and social care services in England for people with a learning disability. Also supports people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse or unemployment.

YoungMinds

0808 802 5544 (Parents Helpline)
85258 (Crisis Messenger for young people – text the letters YM)
youngminds.org.uk
Committed to improving the mental health of babies, children and young people, including support for parents and carers.

This information was published in October 2017.

This page is currently under review. All content was accurate when published. 

Need more support with this issue? Our helplines are here for you.

Need the references and evidence sheet for this page? Contact our publishing team.

Want to reproduce content from this page? See our page on permissions and licensing.

Share this information