Get help now Make a donation

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Explains what post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is, including possible causes and how you can access treatment and support. Includes tips for helping yourself, and guidance for friends and family.

Useful contacts 

Mind's services

  • Mind's helplines provide information and support by phone and email.
  • Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.
  • Side by Side is our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Other organisations

Anxiety UK

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

ASSIST Trauma Care

assisttraumacare.org.uk
Information and specialist help for people who've experienced trauma or are supporting someone who has.

Birth Trauma Association

birthtraumaassociation.org.uk
Support for anyone affected by birth trauma, including partners.

Body Psychotherapy Network

bodypsychotherapynetwork.co.uk

An organisation aiming to provide a community, a platform and a voice for Body Psychotherapy and body psychotherapists.

Combat Stress

0800 1381 619
combatstress.org.uk
Treatment and support for armed forces veterans who have mental health problems.

Disaster Action

disasteraction.org.uk
Information and support for people affected by major disasters in the UK and overseas.

EMDR Association UK

emdrassociation.org.uk
Professional association of EMDR clinicians and researchers in the UK and Ireland. Provides lots of information about EMDR. Includes a search tool to find EMDR-accredited therapists.

Freedom from Torture

freedomfromtorture.org
Supports survivors of torture.

Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse (HAVOCA)

havoca.org
Information and support for adults who have experienced any type of childhood abuse, run by survivors.

Lifecentre

0808 802 0808 (freephone)
07717 989 022 (textline)
lifecentre.uk.com
Support for survivors of rape and sexual abuse, and anyone supporting them. Includes a helpline, text support and email counselling.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)

0808 801 0331
[email protected]
napac.org.uk
Supports adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Offers a helpline, email support and local services.

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.

PTSD Resolution

0300 302 0551
ptsdresolution.org
Helps veterans, reservists and their families with trauma and distress.

PTSD UK

ptsduk.org
Provides information about PTSD and C-PTSD, including different types of treatment, ways to help yourself and how to support someone with PTSD. 

RoadPeace

08454 500 355
roadpeace.org
Information and support for people bereaved or seriously injured due to road crashes.

The Survivors Trust

0808 8010 818
thesurvivorstrust.org
Lists local specialist services for survivors of sexual violence, including advocates and Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs).

Victim Support

0808 168 9111
victimsupport.org.uk
Provides emotional and practical support for people affected by crime and traumatic events.

This information was published in January 2021. We will revise it in 2024.

References and bibliography available on request.

If you want to reproduce this content, see our permissions and licensing page.

Share this information

arrow_upwardBack to Top