Mental health and emotional support

AWARE NI

Northern Ireland

• Mental health and emotional support

The depression charity for Northern Ireland. Its free, peer-led support groups across Northern Ireland, and online, are for people aged 18 and over living with low mood, anxiety, depression or bipolar, and for carers; there are no waiting lists and no referral is needed. It also gives support and information by email.

• Mental health and emotional support

A free, confidential phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed. Advisers from mental health, counselling and social work backgrounds listen and offer information and advice, and you can ask to speak to a man or a woman. It is delivered by NHS 24 and funded by the Scottish Government.

• Armed forces
• Mental health and emotional support

Veterans of the UK Armed Forces, non-operational reservists and former members of the Merchant Navy who live in the UK and are registered with a UK GP, and their families. It gives mental health treatment and support for trauma from military service, and its website lists military sexual trauma among the kinds of military trauma. You can refer yourself through its helpline or ask your GP to refer you.

• Mental health and emotional support

Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline, for anyone in Northern Ireland, including if you are at risk of self-harm or feeling anxious, or you are worried about a friend or family member. Trained counsellors answer every call; they can help with depression, anxiety, suicide, self-harm, trauma, and sexual violence and abuse, and can arrange face-to-face counselling or other therapies in your area within seven days. Lifeline says counsellors may have to share information outside Lifeline if someone is at serious risk of harm or you tell them about a current or past crime.

• Mental health and emotional support

Anyone with a mental health problem in England and Wales, and the people supporting them. Its Infoline gives information about mental health problems, treatment options and where to get help near you. Local Minds run mental health services in communities across England and Wales, and you don’t need a GP referral to contact one.

• Mental health and emotional support

The NHS route in England if you need urgent help for your mental health, or you are worried about someone close to you. Choose the mental health option and the service will tell you the right place to get help; you may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone.

• Mental health and emotional support

The NHS route in Wales if you need to talk to someone urgently about your mental health, or you are worried about a family member, and it is not life-threatening. Pressing 2 puts you in direct contact with a mental health worker in your area, who can give advice and support and point you to other services.

• Mental health and emotional support

NHS 24’s mental health services are for everyone in Scotland, of all ages, including if you feel distressed, in despair or suicidal, or need emotional support. Choosing the mental health option connects you to the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub, where specially trained advisers, supported by mental health nurses, listen, give advice and can connect you with other NHS and charity services. NHS inform says to use it when your GP practice or usual mental health support is closed, or you cannot get help from them.

• Mental health and emotional support

Anyone, whatever you are going through, including if you are struggling to cope or having thoughts of suicide. A volunteer listens without judging you or telling you what to do. There is a free Welsh Language Line, and some branches offer face-to-face visits.