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Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD

Explains what post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD are, 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

  • 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

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.

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 UK & Ireland

emdrassociation.org.uk
Professional association of EMDR clinicians and researchers in the UK and Ireland. Provides extensive information about EMDR.

Freedom from Torture

freedomfromtorture.org
Supports survivors of torture.

Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse (HAVOCA)

havoca.org
Information and support for adults affected by childhood abuse, including an online support forum.

Lifecentre

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

Moodjuice

moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk
Online self-help guides on topics including depression, anxiety and stress.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)

0808 801 0331
napac.org.uk
A charity supporting adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Provides a support line and local support 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.

RoadPeace

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

The Survivors Trust

08088 010 818
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 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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