Wellbeing and mental health resources

If you are / someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now.

Emergency mental health support in the UK

If you need urgent help with your mental health, you can go to NHS 111 online or call 111.

Samaritans is a suicide prevention charity whose volunteers offer emotional support by phone, email and letter.

  • Call their free 24/7 helpline on 116 123

  • If you’d like emotional support in Welsh, the Llinell Cymraeg (Welsh Language Line) is open 7pm-11pm every day on 0808 164 0123

  • You can also email jo@samaritans.org, but be aware it might take them a few days to reply

Shout is a free, 24/7 text messaging mental health support service.

If you’re in Wales, you can contact CALL, the mental health helpline for Wales.

Longer-term mental health support in the UK

  • First, speak to your GP; they should be able to help you understand what support and treatments are available to you.

  • The NHS tends to focus on short-term cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for mental health difficulties. Waiting lists can be quite long, and CBT might not be right for you.

  • If you feel you need a different style of therapy, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) has a directory of qualified therapists and counsellors. You can search this by the specific issue you’re facing (e.g. depression, bereavement) and your postcode. Fees are visible at-a-glance and some therapists offer concessionary rates if you’re on a low income. All therapists should offer a free or low-cost consultation to help you work out if their approach is right for you.

  • You may find it helpful to do a web search for a local therapy or counselling centre that has multiple therapists and counsellors. Again, be sure to check that they are BACP-registered. This is the option I chose when seeking counselling, as it meant that the therapist who did my initial consultation was able to use their expertise to help me narrow down what style of therapy might be helpful among those their colleagues offered. Again, many of these centres offer concessionary rates to people on low incomes.

  • Mind is a mental health charity which provides information and support on mental health and illness, looking after yourself and others, ways to connect to peer support, and much more.

    • If you need someone to talk to and (if you want) help you find specialist support, call their local rate Support line on 0300 102 1234 (9am-6pm, Monday-Friday, except bank holidays)

    • For information on mental health problems, where to get help, treatment options and advocacy services, call their local rate Infoline on 0300 123 3393 (9am-6pm, Monday-Friday, except bank holidays) or email info@mind.org.uk

    • For information on the benefits and welfare system relating to mental health problems, call their local rate Welfare Benefits line on 0300 222 5782 (9am-5pm, Monday-Friday, except bank holidays)

    • For information and general advice on mental health related law, call their local rate Legal line on 0300 466 6463 (9am-6pm, Monday-Friday, except bank holidays) or email legal@mind.org.uk

Useful links and apps

  • Use the interactive emotion wheel app from All The Feelz to help you identify what you’re feeling

  • Track your mood and get mental health support with these apps that use a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) framework. Bear in mind that CBT isn’t the right approach for everyone.

    • My Possible Self (free) - includes in-the-moment grounding techniques, written exercises to examine your thoughts and feelings, and guidance on overcoming specific mental health challenges.

    • Youper (freemium) - includes an AI chatbot to help you work through thoughts and feelings.

  • Learn about and practice mindfulness and meditation with:

    • Calm (freemium) – audio and video meditation, sleep and relaxation.

    • Headspace (freemium) – audio and video mindfulness and meditation.

  • Take a virtual nature walk on the 4K Relaxation Channel on Youtube.