Resources & Links

Bucks Mind – Adult guide

MIND A-Z Mental Health

Guide to Mental Health Support and Services

Information and Support: resource links

Mental health 

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by mental health issues, the following organisations may be able to help.

  • Mental Health Foundation provides a guide to Mental Health problems, topical issues and treatment options via their website.

 

  • Mind provides advice and support on a range of topics including types of mental health problem, legislation and details of local help and support in England and Wales. Phone: 0300 123 3393 (weekdays 9am – 6pm)

 

  • YoungMinds offers information, support and advice for children and young people. Help for concerned parents of those under 25 is offered by phone. Phone: 0808 802 5544 (Mon–Fri 9.30am-4pm)

Emotional Distress

 If you or someone you know are feeling emotionally distressed, the following organisations offer advice and support.

  • Samaritans is available 24 hours a day for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk where calls are completely confidential.    Phone: 116 123   Email: jo@samaritans.org

 

  • HOPELineUK offer support, practical advice and information to young people considering suicide and can also offer help and advice if you’re concerned about someone you know. Phone: 0800 068 41 41

 

  • CALM  the campaign against living miserably aims to prevent male suicide in the UK and offers anonymous, confidential listening, information and signposting. Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily 5pm-midnight)

 

Eating disorders

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by eating disorders, the following organisations may be able to help.

 

  • ABC Anorexia and Bulimia Care provides ongoing care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders. Phone: 03000 11 12 13

Visit the ABC website

 

  •  Beat provides information and support for anyone affected by an eating disorder.Phone (18+): 0808 8010 677                  (under 25): 0808 8010 711 Visit the Beat website

 

Self Harm if you, or someone you know, have been affected by self harm, the following organisations may be able to help.

  •  Selfharm.co.uk supports young people impacted by self harm and provides information and a moderated discussion board where you can ask questions and get support.  

 

  •  The Mix provide non-judgmental support and information for young people under 25 on everything from sex and exam stress to debt and drugs and self harm. Phone: 0808 808 4994

 

  •  Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend. Phone: 0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm daily)

 

Domestic abuse

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by domestic abuse or violence, the following organisations may be able to help. If you are in immediate danger, you should dial 999.

 

  • The National Domestic Violence Helpline The 24 hour Helpline, run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge is for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends and others calling on their behalf. Phone: 0808 2000 247

Visit the National Domestic Violence Helpline website

 

  •  Refuge provides safe, emergency accommodation and emotional and practical support to women and children experiencing domestic violence. Visit the Refuge website

  

  • Women’s Aid provides practical support and information for women experiencing domestic violence via the Survivor’s Handbook and local domestic violence services. Visit the Women’s Aid website

 

  •  Live Fear Free Helpline is a confidential, sign posting and information service for anyone experiencing domestic abuse and/or sexual violence.Phone: 0808 80 10 800 (24 hours a day)  Visit the Live Fear Free Helpline website

 

  •  Men’s Advice Line offers confidential advice for men experiencing domestic violence from a partner or ex-partner.  Phone: 0808 801 0327 (weekdays 9am-5pm) Visit the Men’s Advice Line website

 

  •  The ManKind Initiative provides confidential help and support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence.  Phone: 01823 334244 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm) Visit the ManKind Initiative website

 

  •  National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Domestic Violence helpline run by Galop, provides support to LGBT people suffering domestic abuse. Phone: 0800 999 5428 Visit the galop website

  

  • Respect Phoneline offers confidential advice and support to help domestic violence perpetrators stop being violent and abusive to their partners or ex-partners. Phone: 0808 802 4040 Visit the Respect Phoneline website

 

  • Victim Support provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (weekdays 8pm-8am; weekends 24 hour service) Visit the Victim Support website

 

Bereavement

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by bereavement, the following organisations may be able to help.

 

  • Hopeagain (Cruse for young people) – support for children and young people affected by the death of someone close. Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Mon-Fri, 9:00am-5:00pm)  Visit the Hopeagain website

 

  • The Bereavement Trust offers comfort, support and practical advice to the bereaved from 6pm until 10pm every evening of the year. Phone: 0800 435 455 Visit The Bereavement Trust website

 

  • Dying Matters offers information on end of life and bereavement, including writing a will, funeral plans and end of life care.  Visit the Dying Matters website

  • Child Bereavement UK supports families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. Phone: 0800 02 888 40  Visit the Child Bereavement UK website

  • Child Death Helpline offers support to anyone affected by the death of a child of any age, from prebirth to adult, under any circumstances, however recently or long ago.  Phone: 0800 282 986 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)

Visit the Child Death Helpline website

 

  • Compassionate Friends offer support, understanding and comfort to bereaved siblings and parents after the death of a child, of any age, from any cause.  Phone: 0845 123 0345 (daily 10am-4pm and 7pm-10pm)

Visit the Compassionate Friends website

 

  • Winston’s Wish provides services to bereaved children, young people and their families and offer practical support and guidance to anyone concerned about a grieving child.  Phone: 08088 020 021

Visit the Winston’s Wish website

 

Carers

If you or someone you know need support with a caring situation, the following organisations offer advice and support.

 

  • Carers Trust provides support for carers, young adult carers and young carers, through a network of carers centres, schemes and interactive online services.  Phone: 0300 772 9600  Visit the Carers Trust website

 

  • Carers UK provides support and information to those who look after an older, disabled or seriously ill family member or friend. Phone: 0808 808 7777 (weekdays 10am-4pm) Visit the Carers UK website

 

  • NHS Resource for Carers

A guide for people who have care and support needs, their carers and people who are planning for their future care needs. Visit the England website

 

Bullying

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by bullying, the following organisations may be able to help.

  • ChildLine is a free, 24-hour confidential helpline for children and young people who need to talk.   Phone: 0800 1111   Visit the ChildLine website

 

  • BullyingUK provides practical information and advice to young people and their parents.   Phone: 0808 800 2222  Visit the BullyingUK website

 

  • The National Bullying Helpline can provide free, confidential help and support if you are being bullied at work, at home, in the community or in education. Phone: 0845 22 55 787 (9am-5pm daily)

Visit the National Bullying Helpline website

 

  • Kidscape provides information and advice on bullying and child protection to young people, parents and carers.

Visit the Kidscape website

 

  • eCRIME is a website containing useful, common-sense approach, advice and practical information on cyber bullying, trolling, mobbing and all forms of on line crime for adults and children alike.

Visit the eCRIME website

 

Debt

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by debt issues, the following organisations may be able to help.

 

  • The Money Advice Service provides free and impartial money advice. An independent service originally set up by government. Phone 0800 138 7777 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm; Sat 9am-1pm)

Visit the Money Advice Service website

 

  • My Money Steps is a free, interactive online debt advice service, which provides a personalised action plan for dealing with your debts.   Visit the My Money Steps website

 

 

Elder abuse

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by elder abuse, the following organisations may be able to help.

  • Action on Elder Abuse works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults and provides a confidential helpline for anyone concerned – including older people themselves, their friends and relatives.
    Phone: 0808 808 8141 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)  Visit Action on Elder Abuse website

 

  • Compassion in Care works to break the chain of elderly abuse and provides practical advice and support to people in care, their relatives and concerned staff members. Visit the Compassion in Care website

 

  • Age UK provides free information, advice and support on the issues that matter to older people. Phone: 0800 678 1174   Visit the Age UK website

 

Forced marriage and honour violence

If you or someone you know has been affected by forced marriage and honour violence the following organisations may be able to help:

 

  • IKWRO (Iranian and Kurdish Women’s Rights Organisation) protects Middle Eastern and Afghan women and girls who are at risk of ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic violence and to promote their rights. Phone: 0207 920 6460   Visit the IKWRO website

 

 

  • roshni offers confidential and multi-lingual support and information. Free face to face counselling and support is also available for survivors of abuse. Freephone helpline: 0808 80 22 222 Visit the roshni website

 

  • The Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) helps British Nationals overseas and anyone in the UK who is at risk of, or a victim of, forced marriage.   Phone: 020 7008 0151  Visit the FMU website

 

  • The SHARAN Project provides support, advice for vulnerable women, particularly of South Asian origin, who have left home forcefully or voluntarily as a result of disownment; threat of domestic or honour-based violence; forced marriage and other forms of cultural conflict.  Phone: 0844 504 3231  Visit the SHARAN Project website

 

  • Support after Murder and Manslaughter offers understanding and support to families and friends who have been bereaved as a result of murder or manslaughter, through the mutual support of others who have suffered a similar tragedy.   Phone: 0845 8723440  Visit the Support after Murder and Manslaughter website

 

Victim Support

  • Victim Support provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (weekdays 8pm-8am; weekends 24 hour service)

Visit the Victim Support website

 

  • Live Fear Free Helpline is a confidential, sign posting and information service for anyone experiencing domestic abuse and/or sexual violence.  hone: 0808 80 10 800 (24 hours a day)

Visit the Live Fear Free Helpline website

 

Gender Identity

People with Gender Dysphoria or those who have children with Gender Dysphoria should contact their GP as a first course of action.

Information about Gender Dysphoria from the NHS is available at the NHS website.

The following organisations may also be able to help.

  • Gender Trust helps adults throughout the United Kingdom who are transsexual, gender dysphoric, transgender, or those whose lives are affected by gender identity issues.  Visit the Gender Trust website

 

  • Mermaids is a support group for gender variant children and teenagers, and their families. Its members are parents and young people who have dealt with, or are dealing with gender identity issues.

Visit the Mermaids website

 

  • LGBT Foundation offers a range of services, support and information to lesbian, gay and bi and transsexual communities.    Phone: 0845 3 30 30 30 (Daily 10am-10pm)   Visit the LGBT Foundation website

 

  • The Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES) offers information and on line resources to help improve the lives of trans people of all ages.  Phone: 01372 801554  Visit the GIRES website

 

Sexual Abuse

Information and support for anyone affected by sexual abuse (current or historic) – including sources of support for children, young people and concerned parents.

  • ChildLine is a free, 24-hour confidential helpline for children and young people who need to talk.  Phone: 0800 1111  Visit the ChildLine website

 

  • The National Association for People Abused in Childhood offers support, advice and guidance to adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse.    Phone: 0808 801 0331

Visit the National Association for People Abused in Childhood website

 

  • Samaritans is available 24 hours a day for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk where calls are completely confidential.   Phone: 116 123   Email: jo@samaritans.org  Visit the Samaritans website

 

  • NSPCC provides help, advice and support to adults worried about a child. Phone: 0808 800 5000 (24/7)

Visit the NSPCC website

 

  • Pace (Parents Against Child Sexual Exploitation) works alongside parents and carers of children who are – or are at risk of being – sexually exploited. Phone:0113 240 5226   Visit the Pace website

 

  • Rape Crisis England & Wales offers confidential support and information to women in England and Wales who have survived any form of sexual violence, no matter how long ago. Also provides immediate support to friends and family on how to support female survivors of sexual violence. Phone: 0808 802 9999 (12–2:30pm & 7–9:30pm daily)  Visit the Rape Crisis England & Wales website

 

  • Safeline provides free support and counselling for survivors of sexual abuse or rape. Phone: 0808 8005008 (General support) 0808 8005005 (Male support) 0808 8005007 (Young people support)

Visit the Safeline website

 

  • Survivors Trust provide support and signposting for women, men and children who are survivors of rape, sexual violence or childhood sexual abuse. Phone: 0808 801 0818  Visit the Survivors Trust website

 

  • Survivors UK provides information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused. A webchat is available: A counselling fee may apply.  Visit the Survivors UK website

 

  • The Rowan provides a range of support and services 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to people of all ages who have been sexually abused, assaulted or raped, whether this happened in the past or more recently.   Phone 0800 389 4424  Visit The Rowan website

 

  • Victim Support provides emotional and practical help to victims or witnesses of any crime, whether or not it has been reported to the police. Phone: 0808 16 89 111 (weekdays 8pm-8am; weekends 24 hour service)

Visit the Victim Support website

 

  • Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors (MACSAS) supports those who have been sexually abused as children or adults by Ministers, clergy or others under the guise of the church.

Phone: 08088 01 03 40 (Sat 9am-11am, Wed 7.00 pm-9.30 pm) Visit the MACSAS website

 

  • Survivors UK provides information, support and counselling for men who have been raped or sexually abused.

A webchat service is available via their website Visit the Survivors UK website

 

LGBT Issues

If you or someone you know needs support for issues about sexuality, the following organisations may be able to help:

  • Switchboard provides an information, support and referral service for anyone who needs to consider issues around their sexuality.   Phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am-11pm)  Visit the Switchboard website

 

  • LGBT Foundation offers a range of services, support and information to lesbian, gay and bi people and people who are transexual.  Phone: 0845 3 30 30 30 (Daily 10am-10pm)  Visit the LGBT Foundation website

 

  • Stonewall offers help and advice for people who many be LGBT on a range of subjects, including coming out and hate crime. Visit the Stonewall website

 

 

Addiction (alcohol, drugs and gambling)

If you, or someone you know, have been affected by addiction, the following organisations may be able to help.

  • Drinkline is a confidential helpline for those worried about their own or someone else’s drinking. They can put you in touch with your local alcohol advice centre for help and support.  Phone: 0300 123 1110

 

  •  FRANK provides a confidential service to anyone wanting information, advice or support about any aspect of drugs. Phone: 0300 123 6600  Minicom: 0300 123 1099   Online chat facility (2-6pm weekdays)

Visit the Talk to Frank site

 

  •  Addaction has services throughout England and Scotland, that help adults, young people and their families recover from addiction and substance misuse problems.  Visit the Addaction website

 

  • DrugFAM  provides support to families, friends and carers who are struggling to cope with a loved one’s addiction to drugs or alcohol, including addiction related bereavement support.  Phone: 0300 888 3853 (7 days a week 9am – 9pm) Visit the DrugFAM website

 

  • Cocaine Anonymous provides opportunities to share experience, strength and hope to recover from addiction to cocaine and all other mind-altering substances. Phone: 0800 612 0225 Visit the Cocaine Anonymous website

 

  • The National Gambling Helpline operated by GamCare offers confidential support, advice and free counselling to people concerned about their gambling, or the gambling of friends or family.

Phone: 0808 8020 133 Visit the GamCare website

Information and advice for young people Visit the Big Deal website

 

 

 

  • Al-Anon Family Groups provide support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking, through regular meetings throughout the UK, where members share their own experience of living with alcoholism. Alateen is part of Al-Anon, for teenage (12-17) relatives and friends of alcoholics.

Visit the Al-Anon website