NHS mental health services:
Find local mental health services on the NHS website www.nhs.uk
Samaritans
08457 90 90 90 (local rate), 24 hours a day
email: jo@samaritans.org, web: www.samaritans.org
24-hour helpline for suicidal people or those concerned about someone
Saneline
0845 767 8000 (local rate)
Open 6pm - 11pm every day or you can email sanemail@sane.org.uk
Offer support mainly for carers but also service users in crisis situations; can provide information on local services, treatment options, etc.
Rethink
National Advice Service - 020 8974 6814
Open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday or e-mail advice@rethink.org
General enquiries - 0845 456 0455
Rethink works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. It provides effective services and support and campaigns for change through greater awareness and understanding. Visit www.rethink.org.
Mind InfoLine
08457 660 163 (local rate)
Open Monday to Friday 9.15am to 5.15pm
Offer advice and support to service users; have network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help and assistance (details should be in local directories and libraries)
NHS Direct
0845 46 47
Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Scotland - 0845 4 24 24 24 Web: www.nhs24.com
Young Minds
Parents Information Service 0800 018 2138
Mondays 10am-1pm, Tuesdays 1-4pm, Wednesdays 1-4pm and 6-8pm, Thursdays 1-4pm, Fridays 10am-1pm
Web: www.youngminds.org.uk
Provide information and advice for anyone concerned about a child or young person's mental health
Carers UK
Helpline - 0808 808 7777
Open Wednesday and Thursday, 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm
Information, advocacy and network of local groups for carers of all kinds
BEAT - Beating Eating Disorders
Helpline for adults - 0845 634 1414
Mon - Fri 4:00pm to 8:30pm and Sat 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Alcoholics Anonymous
helpline 08457 697555
Offer advice and support on alcohol issues
Release
020 7729 9904
10am-5.30 weekdays; 020 7603 8654 evenings, weekdays and holidays
Offer advice and provide services for people using drugs and those who work with them
Alzheimer's Society
helpline 0845 300 0336
Information about Alzheimer's Disease and dementia issues
Tourettes Action
0845 458 1252
Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5pm
Tourettes Action is a support and research charity for people with Tourette Syndrome (TS) and their families
In prison and prisoners' families:
Samaritans prison work
Samaritans works in prison throughout the UK. They operate Listener schemes by training prisoners to offer confidential emotional support to their fellow inmates and sometimes Samaritans volunteers visit the prison to offer face to face support. Prisoners can also contact Samaritans by telephone or in writing. Find out more here.
Prisoners families helpline
0808 808 2003 (freephone) or visit www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk
Provides information for families and friends of prisoners.
Action for prisoners' families
helpline 0808 808 2003 or visit www.actionpf.org.uk
Provides information about support services for prisoners' families and raises awareness of relevant issues surrounding prisoners families.
NACRO resettlement plus helpline
0800 0181 259 (freephone) or email helpline@nacro.org.uk
Provides information for prisoners who have been released from prison.
Conditions and treatment:
Rethink
has an excellent site aimed at carers: www.rethinkcarers.org
Mind
has factsheets on specific conditions - www.mind.org.uk
The Mental Health Foundation
has lots of information - www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Depression Alliance
- www.depressionalliance.org
BEAT - Beating Eating Disorders
- www.b-eat.co.uk
Hearing Voices Network
- www.hearing-voices.org
Local support and advocacy groups:
Mind in Salford
– runs a mental health advocacy service and gives information about mental health. – www.mindinsalford.org.uk Tel: 0161 839 3030
Rethink
- runs local services, mainly support for carers - www.rethink.org
Depression Alliance
has a national network of support groups for people with depression - www.depressionalliance.org
Together
runs a range of services including advocacy, community support, day support, employment and work-training schemes and services for carers - www.together-uk.org
No Panic
helpline 0808 808 0545 10am-10pm daily - offer support for people experiencing panic attacks, phobias, etc
Manic Depression Fellowship
- support network for people with bipolar disorders: office phone number 020 7793 2600 weekdays 9am-5pm
Hearing Voices Network
helpline 0161 834 5768 - advice and a network of local groups available to people who hear voices, their carers and workers
UKAN
- network of local advocacy groups mainly led by service users, office phone 0114 272 8171
Other sources:
Plus in most places people may be able to get assistance from:
The PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) which should now be available in every NHS trust in England to deal with any concerns or complaints for service users, relatives and carers;
Citizens' Advice Bureau: to offer advice and information on issues such as benefits, health services, housing, consumer/employment rights, etc.