Immediate crisis and suicidal feelings
If you need immediate medical help or are worried you might harm yourself or someone else, please dial 999 or go to the nearest Accident and Emergency department.
- The Samaritans
Available 24/7 every day of the year to provide non-judgemental emotional support and the opportunity to talk to a trained listener about your worries, distress, or suicidal thoughts.
- Phone 116 123 (Freephone) or email jo@samaritans.org
- More information about how the Samaritans can help and what they offer: http://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you
- Links to sources of further information, advice or support on a wide range of issues impacting on mental health – including alcohol, drugs, debt, relationships, eating disorders and housing: http://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you/how-our-service-helps/other-sources-help
Advice for individuals
- Saneline
Provides out-of-hours emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness including family members and friends.
- Phone 0300 304 7000 (from 6pm to 11pm daily) for confidential telephone support. More information about Saneline and what they offer, including an online forum: http://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/
- Mind
Mind provides an extensive range of advice, information and practical resources.
- Phone the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm Monday to Friday) of the Mind Legal Line on 0300 466 6463 (11am to 2pm Monday to Friday)
- Text the Infoline on 86463 or email info@mind.org.uk
- CALM (The Campaign against living miserably)
CALM (The Campaign against living miserably) is provided for men, by men, offering telephone support, advice and signposting, and an online forum.
- Phone 0800 58 58 58 from London, or 0808 802 58 58 from elsewhere in the UK – open 5pm to midnight every day of the year (calls are free and don’t show on itemised bills) https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/get-help/
- GamCare
GamCare operates the National Gambling HelpLine, providing information, advice and support for problem gamblers as well as their family and friends affected by the issue.
- Freephone: 0808 8020 133- advisers are available seven days a week from 8am–Midnight
- Via web-chat at: www.gamcare.org.uk
- Have I Got a Problem
Free resource for mental health and addiction issues with free diagnostic tools, over 1,000 documents to browse and 1,5000 videos to view : http://www.haveigotaproblem.com/
- A Guide to Workplace Bullying
Bullying is a problem across ages and environments and is more common than you think. This guide explores what steps both employees and employers can take to overcome and stamp out a bullying culture in the workplace. https://www.autoenrolment.co.uk/guides/workplace-bullying
- Help Guide Website
HelpGuide.org have over 160 articles on 21 topics together with details of self-help tools: https://www.helpguide.org/
- MHFA England Take 10 Together Toolkit
Mental Health First Aid teaches people the skills and confidence to recognise the signs and symptoms of common mental health issues and effectively guide a person towards the right support. The first step on that journey may be taking 10 minutes to open up a meaningful conversation with a friend, family member, colleague or student about their mental health. The toolkit was originally developed for World Mental Health Day 2016 and has been adapted so that you can use it all year round to keep the mental health conversation going. Access the Take 10 Together toolkit here
- The Impact of Sleep on Daily Life
An article providing information on how much our sleeping patterns affect all activities in our daily lives, work and play. These can be as simple as not being able to complete your daily exercise, as problematic as not being able to fully concentrate at work, or even as grave as being more prone to danger as you drive while sleep deprived. Click here to access the guide
- Practical Steps to Self Care
dprsd aims to help people to manage their depression by suggesting practical steps they can take now as part of a regime of self-care. This is meant to complement conventional treatment options such as antidepressants and therapy. As, there’s growing research that suggests that lifestyle changes, together with a range of activities and practices, can help people to better manage their depression and prevent the risk of future depressive episodes. The dprsd website brings together information about these alternative approaches to managing depression as a complement to conventional treatments such as antidepressants and therapy.
Work/life related
Bank Workers Charity
Bank Workers Charity provides a wide range of help and support to people working for a UK bank (now or in the past) and their families. They provide resources on mental health, work-life balance, workplace issues and others which impact on health such as debt management, relationships, and domestic abuse.
- Phone 0800 0234 834 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
- Visit website and complete brief online form requesting an email or phone response http://www.bwcharity.org.uk/about-us/contact-form
- Access BWC’s online mental health resources http://www.bwcharity.org.uk/health-wellbeing/mental-health
- Find out what else is available online or by requesting additional help http://www.bwcharity.org.uk/our-services
- Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABC)
Chartered Accountants Benevolent Association (CABC) supports past or present members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, their carers and close families. It provides information and support on a range of issues, including emotional support, debt, legal and relationship advice. They provide counselling for a range of problems, including redundancy or bereavement, and offer a befriending service for people aged 55 and over.
- Call the Helpline on 0800 107 6163 for free counselling and legal advice 24 hours a day
- Phone the Information line (office hours) on 01788 555 366 or email enquiries@caba.org.uk
- Access CABA’s online mental health resources on anxiety, depression, panic attacks, stress and related topics https://www.caba.org.uk/help-and-guides?field_subject_tid=28
- Visit the website to find out what else is available https://www.caba.org.uk/how-we-help
- Lawcare
Lawcare provides advice and support to practicing lawyers, covering a range of problems which may impact on professional performance or family life. Their support includes access to a network of trained volunteers, themselves lawyers so likely to understand the specific pressures facing the profession.
- Call the free helpline on 0800 279 6888 to speak to a former lawyer trained in telephone counselling (9 am to 7:30pm weekdays, 10 to 4 weekends and bank holidays)
- Visit the website to access advice and information on depression, anxiety, alcohol, drugs, gambling, eating disorders and gambling, and for links to sources of additional support http://www.lawcare.org.uk/get-help/
What should I tell my employer/disclosure
For staff considering how much to disclose about mental health issues to managers or colleagues, this link provides a practical tool to help guide individual decisions, including a pros and cons tool and a conversation guide
- https://www.headsup.org.au/taking-care-of-myself-at-work/talking-about-a-mental-health-condition-at-work
- EmployAbility: Students and graduates
EmployAbility work with disabled university students and graduates, including students experiencing mental ill health, to ease the transition from education into employment. The team can offer you free support, advice and guidance throughout the entire recruitment process and beyond, including advice on sensitive issues such as disclosure of a disability.
- Call +44 (0)7852 764 684. http://www.employ-ability.org.uk
- MHFA England Address Your Stress Toolkit
Developed for Mental Health Awareness Week 2018 with a theme of Address Your Stress, MHFA England produced this toolkit The toolkit is designed to help you:
- Understand your triggers
- Get to know your unique stress signature
- Manage your stress levels with self-care
- Reduce the impact of stress on your health and life
Click to Access the toolkit here
Help with a specific mental health condition/experience
Anxiety
Anxiety UK provides relief and support for people with all forms of anxiety disorders. Their website and supported publications are also a useful source of information on the many forms of anxiety disorder. They also offer training services primarily for mental health professionals, service users and carers.
- Helpline: 08444 775 774 http://www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Bereavement
Cruse offers help and support to anyone experiencing bereavement, including free counselling, advice and publications. Services can vary from region to region. Cruse also offers regular workshops for managers and employees working with those experiencing bereavement.
- Daytime helpline: 0844 477 9400 helpline@cruse.org.uk http://www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk
Child Bereavement UK
- Support and information line: 0800 02 888 40 http://www.childbereavementuk.org/
Bipolar disorder
Bipolar UK supports those affected by bipolar disorder through self-help groups and mentoring. Although they can provide general information that may be useful, Bipolar UK does not offer services specifically for employers.
- 202 7931 6480 info@bipolaruk.org.uk http://www.bipolaruk.org.uk
Depression
MIND offers and services for those living with depression. https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/depression/self-care/#.XQo_5_ZFzIU
Eating disorders
Beat provide a range of services to support people with eating disorders, including helplines, online support and local self-help groups. While they do not offer services specifically for employers, they may be a useful organisation to refer a colleague to.
- Helpline: 0845 634 1414 help@b-eat.co.uk
- General enquiries: 0300 123 335 info@b-eat.co.uk http://www.b-eat.co.uk
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
OCD Action provides support and information for those with OCD and related disorders. While they do not offer services specifically for employers, their website is a good source of information and resources.
- Helpline: 0845 390 6232 support@ocdaction.org.uk
- General enquiries 020 7253 5272 http://www.ocdaction.org.uk
Rehab Recovery is a free information service to help people who suffer from drug and alcohol addiction, and who may need alcohol rehab assistance.
- 24 Hour Helpline: 0800 088 66 86
- Further information: http://www.rehab-recovery.co.uk/how-we-work/
Help with Addiction
Addiction Helper provides information about many addictions including a free helpline and online chat: CALL 0800 138 7188 / 0203 131 8341 or TEXT “HELP” to 66777
Further information: https://www.addictionhelper.com/
Alcoholism Treatment
Priory Hospitals offer experienced specialists at all their addiction treatment hospitals and clinics to help discuss alcohol addiction in confidence. Tel: 0845 277 4679 Web: http://www.priorygroup.com/addictions/alcohol-addiction
Drug Rehabilitation
Priory is well-placed to offer high quality drug treatment and support. Priory understand that seeking help is a difficult step but their non-confrontational approach helps people to regain control with drug use. Tel: 0845 277 4679 Web: http://www.priorygroup.com/addictions/drug-rehab
Counselling
The organisations below provide useful information for those considering counselling, with online directories that can be used to locate a professional counsellor, who will usually charge for their services.
- BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy)
BACP is a membership organisation that sets standards and provides information about therapeutic practice. http://www.itsgoodtotalk.org.uk
- Counselling Directory
Database of UK counselling services, searchable by different forms of mental ill-health.
Advice and support on discrimination and human rights
- Equality and Human rights commission
If you need expert information, advice and support on discrimination and human rights issues and the applicable law, especially if you need more help than advice agencies and other local organisations can provide, please contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS). Please note: EASS is completely independent of the Commission.
- Phone: 0808 800 0082 Textphone: 0808 800 0084 Website: http://www.equalityadvisoryservice.com Opening hours: 09:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday 10:00 to 14:00 Saturday Closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays
ACAS
You can call an Acas helpline adviser on 0300 123 1100 (8am-8pm Monday to Friday and 9am-1pm Saturday http://www.acas.org.uk
Organisations with services for employers
Time to Change
Time to Change works specifically to end discrimination against those with mental health conditions. The Time to Change pledge allows you to publicly demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to tackling stigma and discrimination around mental ill-health.
- 020 8215 2356 info@time-to-change.org.uk http://www.time-to-change.org.uk
Rethink
Rethink are a large, national voluntary sector provider of mental health services, offering advice and helplines that vary from region to region. The Rethink website is the best source of information for services and groups in your area.
- General enquiries and information: 0300 5000 927 info@rethink.org http://www.rethink.org
Mental Health First Aid England
Mental Health First Aid offer an educational course which teaches people how to identify, understand and help a person who may be developing a mental health issue. Mental Health First Aid teaches you how to recognise those crucial warning signs of mental ill health. They also offer in-house training directly to large organisations through MHFA Workplace and consultancy to suit individual customer’s needs.
Mental Health Foundation
Mental Health Foundation provides practical information and advice on a wide range of mental health issues, both for those experiencing mental ill-health and those working or living with people who are.
- Mental Health Foundation: 020 7803 1101 Mental Health Foundation Scotland: 0141 572 0125 http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mindful Employer
Developed, led and supported by employers, the MINDFUL EMPLOYER® initiative is aimed at increasing awareness of mental health at work and providing support for businesses in recruiting and retaining staff. MINDFUL EMPLOYER® is open to any employer in the UK, whether small, medium or large, private, public or voluntary sector.
- 01392 677064 info@mindfulemployer.net http://www.mindfulemployer.net
Business Healthy
Business Healthy is member organisation City of London’s initiative and the provider page on their website has many links which may be useful (membership is open to both businesses and individuals):
- https://www.businesshealthy.org/providers/
- Call: 020 7332 3378