Signposting
Seeking Help for your Mental Health
Talking:
Talking to a family member, a friend, someone you trust, can be helpful and sometimes a really good starting point. For those who may be on the other end of the conversation, don’t force them to talk, listen don’t judge and let them know that you and others are there for them.
GP:
Speaking with your GP can be a helpful first point of contact for seeking help. GPs have a good general knowledge of mental health problems and can also be a gateway to specialist’s mental health services.
IAPT
IAPT or ‘Improving access to psychological therapists’ is an NHS online self-referral programme. You can find out more about it here.
Private Referrals
- Find a BUPA registered practitioners
- Find a psychologist/therapist
- Find a counsellor
- Find a BABCP-registered CBT therapist: follow the link to ‘find a therapist’
Local Services
There are a range of different support services and local groups that target specific difficulties such as bereavement and alcoholics anonymous. These groups may vary across different geographical regions. Speaking to your GP or conducting an internet search may be able to provide you with further detail to meet your needs.
Self-Help Resources
There are a wide range of self-help resources available. The following are recommended as a quality assured signpost:
Helplines, Charities and Organisations
CALM
CALM’s helpline is for men in the UK who are down or have hit a wall, who need to talk or find information and support. Webchat is available.
Nationwide: 0800 585858
London: 0808 8025858
5pm –midnight 365 days a year
www.thecalmzone.net
ChildLine
ChildLine is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19.
0800 1111
24 hours / 7 days
www.childline.org.uk
Mind
Mind provides confidential mental health information services.
0300 123 3393
Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm
www.mind.org.uk
Young Minds
Young Minds is a charity that supports children and young peoples (under 25 years) mental health. Resources, information, training, helpline and email contact available.
Parent helpline: 0808 802 5544
Young person crisis: Text YM to 85258
Mon-Fri 9:30am – 4pm
youngminds.org.uk
PAPYRUS
Under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or you are concerned about a young person.
0800 068 414
Mon-Fri: 10am – 10pm
Sat-Sun and bank hol: 2pm-10pm
papyrus-uk.org
Samaritans
Confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
116 123
24 hours / 7 days
www.samaritans.org
SANEline
Saneline is a national mental health helpline providing information and support to people with mental health problems and those who support them.
0300 304 7000
4:30pm – 10:30pm Every day
SHOUT
A free, confidential and anonymous service for anyone in the UK which won’t appear on your phone bill. To start a conversation text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
24/7 helpline
Rethink
Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them.
0300 5000 927
Mon-Fri 9:30am – 4pm
www.rethink.org
Emergency and Crisis Support
In an emergency or a situation where you think that you, or someone you know, is at risk of harm to themselves or others:
- Call 999 for emergency response or attend the Accident and Emergency department if there is an immediate risk of harm
- Call the local GP and request an emergency appointment
- Call 111 for advice when help is needed but not a 999 emergency. For example, if:
You think the person needs to go to A&E or needs help from a crisis team
You don’t know who to call or you don’t have a GP to call
You need health information or reassurance about what to do next.
Workplace support
Speaking with your Line Manager of Human Resources Manager could open up a range of support options for you and future mental health support. In most cases, organisations have access to private employee confidential helplines or resources ready to access.