Finding help

Please note, all organisations listed below are recognised by Mental Health England. The NFWI can not endorse the following organisations and would strongly recommend that members who experience a mental crisis or need professional advice seek help from their doctor or by phoning 999 in the first instance.

Samaritans
Phone: 116 123 (freephone, 24hrs a day, 7 days a week)
www.samaritans.org

Provides emotional support for people 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. They allow people to talk about feelings of distress and despair and are confidential and offer non-judgemental support.

SaneLine
Phone: 0300 304 7000 (local call rates, 6pm-11pm, 7 days a week)
www.sane.org.uk

Provides out of hours mental health and emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.

Mind
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (local call rates, 9am-6pm Mon-Fri); Text: 86463
www.mind.org.uk

Provides information on types of mental health issues, where to get help, medication and alternative treatments and advocacy.

Loneliness

NHS website
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/feeling-lonely/

Suggests things you can try that may help if you are feeling lonely and explains how to access more support through the NHS.

Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/loneliness/about-loneliness

The mental health charity Mind explains loneliness and how it relates to mental health problems. They have also developed a list of tips you might find useful to help manage feelings of loneliness, and provide a list of contacts if you would like to access support.

Every Mind Matters
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/coronavirus/coping-with-loneliness-during-coronavirus

NHS campaign which provides practical advice and tips that can help if you are feeling lonely during the coronavirus pandemic and ways to support others.

Campaign to End Loneliness
https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/helpful-links/

Offers a list of helpful links to organisations that provide a range of support, advice, and services. These include general resources, as well as sources of support for young people, such as YoungMinds, and for older people, such as Age UK and Independent Age.

Abuse (domestic violence, child, sexual abuse)

Addiction and substance misuse (alcohol, drugs, gambling)

Anxiety

Armed Forces

Bereavement

Creativity and mental health

Depression

Eating disorders

Family, parenting and relationships

General mental health

Lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)

Self-harm

Suicide prevention

Young people

Other helpful resources

Bipolar Disorder - Bipolar UK
Phone: 0333 323 3880
www.bipolaruk.org

Charity dedicated to supporting individuals with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder, as well as their families and carers.

Carers - Carers UK
Phone: 08008 808 7777 (freephone, 10am-4pm Mon-Fri)
www.carersuk.org

Provides advice on a range of issues including financial and practical matters relating to caring.

Crime – Victim Support
Phone: 0808 1689 111 (freephone, 8pm-8am Mon-Fri, weekends 24hrs)
www.victimsupport.org.uk

Charity working towards a world where people affected by crime or traumatic events get the support they need and the respect they deserve.

Debt – Money Advice Service
Phone: 0800 138 7777 (freephone, 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm Sat)
www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk

Free, independent service that provides information on all money related matters.

Debt - National Debtline
Phone: 0808 808 4000 (freephone, 9am-8pm Mon-Fri, 9.30am-1pm Sat)
www.nationaldebtline.org

Providing free, confidential specialist advice on managing financial debt.

General - Citizen’s Advice
Phone: 03444 111 444
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Free, independent information and advice for people on money, legal, consumer, housing and other problems.

Health – NHS Choices
www.nhs.uk

Provides a wide range of accessible information on all health-related issues.

Learning Disabilities – Mencap
Phone: 0808 808 1111 (9am-5pm, Mon-Fri)
www.mencap.org.uk

Working in partnership with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.

Nutrition – Food for the Brain
Phone: 0300 365 0130
www.foodforthebrain.org

Raising awareness of the importance of optimum nutrition for mental health.

Personality Disorder – Emergence
www.emergenceplus.org,uk

Service-user led organisation with the overarching aim of supporting all people affected by personality disorder.

Psychosis – Hearing Voices Network
Phone: 0114 271 8210
www.hearing-voices.org

Committed to helping people who hear voices, see visions and experience tactical sensations and those that support them.

Stigma – Time to Change
www.time-to-change.org.uk

The main national anti-stigma campaign, run by leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.