Get Support

I provide contact information throughout this website, but I’ve never collated that information onto one page…until today.

Below is a list of the sites I’ve suggested that are specifically available to support those with poor mental health, mental illnesses, looking for help for someone they care about or looking for help with the causes of mental illness (grief, body image etc).

I also have a Stress Hacks page where you can find fast ideas to help you feel calmer in a fraught moment, and the COPE Campaign will help you find a creative outlet that you can use long term when ‘brain pain’ is heavy.

But please remember professional help is essential, and with the right guidance you’ll be able to find a long-term solution that helps you find a way to live positively around the stress / worry / sadness / grief etc.

Solutions can include therapies, counselling, medication, physio, meditation, hypnotherapy, addiction therapy, rehab and/or a combination of things. Personally, in my 8 years living with diagnosed mental illnesses I have had experience with nearly every long-term solution out there, and with the right tweaks they were able to help for some time, and many I still use today.

Where can you go?

I’m not always great at talking to the people close to me. I bottle up my pain and anguish and it eats me alive. When I realise I need help, I know there are some great resources available online…

Mental Health and Suicide Support Phone Numbers and Chat Services

As someone that hasn’t left home for over a year and a half, I am often alone and I find myself needing someone to talk to about my mental health from time-to-time. Sometimes that need is urgent.

Thankfully, even in a crisis situation (after some searching) I managed to find some places that were open out of hours and throughout the year, offering help and support in a variety of ways. At the time I took a mental note that someone else might need to know all this one day, without the annoying and unfruitful internet searching I went through.

Here is everything I found including the notes I scribbled covering support lines, webchats, text lines and other resources, along with their opening hours and contact details…

The Samaritans website is a constant here in the UK. They have the go-to helpline for crisis situations – simply call 116 123 to speak to a trained agent 24/7/365. They also offer an email contact service, self help app, and an online chat service with varying opening times. Visit the website for more detailed instructions on these other services.

Shout is a 24/7 mental health chat service available throughout the UK to anyone who needs it. Simply text ‘SHOUT‘ to 85258 to speak, via text, with a trained volunteer. Note – during busy periods a response might take time.

Mental Health Matters have helplines and webchat services available (some 24/7) in multiple locations around the UK. Visit their Helpline and Webchat page to find out if they cover your area along with the relevant contact details.

Kooth is an online mental well-being community built specifically for children and young adults aged 10-25. They have an online team available to chat with or message , as well as a peer support network created to be used anonymously, making it easier to talk honestly and provide support to others. More information can be found on their website, but you’ll need to join before getting any specifics and the website isn’t clear about who can use it, so check if it’s right for you before signing up.

The National Suicide Prevention Helpline is open 6.00pm to 3.30am (yes, overnight, when things can feel their worst) to anyone looking for a supportive listening service because of suicidal thoughts. They are open every day of the year.

Sane is an independent charity offering emotional support (and other services) to anyone affected by declining mental health and/or mental illness. Their SANEline is available on 0300 304 7000 and is open between 4.00pm and 10pm usually every day of the year. Alongside this they offer a textcare support service (not for a crisis situation) and a peer support forum (always open, but not a crisis service) that you can join anonymously.

SupportLine is a confidential emotional support service available to anyone in the UK. Their number is 01708 765200 but opening hours vary. They also offer an email support service, with full details on their contact page.

Papyrus is a suicide prevention charity for young people (up to age 35) and their concerned friends and family. They offer a HOPEline service, open from 9am to midnight every day on 0800 068 4141. They also have a text and email service available – full details on their contact page.

C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably) is an organisation on a mission to prevent suicide and help anyone understand that life is always worth living. Their helpline is open 365 days a year from 5pm to midnight and the number is 0800 585858. They also offer an online webchat service – visit their website for more information including useful resources and other support ideas they have.

The Mix provides essential support to the under 25’s, providing help and advice on any subject from mental health to finances. They have a helpline available 4pm to 11pm Monday to Saturday on 0808 808 4994, as well as an email service, counselling services, one-to-one chats, group community chats and crisis support service open to anyone 24/7. Visit their Get Support page for all the relevant contact information.

The Mind Website is a huge library of information, and they have an entire section of their site dedicated to mental illness at Christmas alongside their Emergency helpline, crisis resources, and mental health a to z.

The NHS offer support via the NHS 111 service, accessible online or by calling 111 from your mobile or landline 24/7/365. Of course, for life-threatening emergencies call 999 and ask for the police or an ambulance depending on the situation.

Mental Health

NHS – the NHS website has so much information, but this page could be a good place to start, with links to charities, what to do in a crisis and links with details of support groups. NHS Mental Health Charity Page

Mind – probably the website I’ve used the most when trying to untangle the mess in my brain. The website offers so much, from information on mental illness and mental health issues and the many drugs and treatments available, to details of local groups and the best places to obtain support, often specific to your needs. Mind – the mental health charity

Kooth – this site is relatively new to me, but it’s great for anyone more comfortable asking for anonymous advice through their tablet or mobile. It’s an active community with peer support as well as more useful information and links. Kooth

The Mental Health Foundation – long standing and well respected, the Mental Health Foundation website is all about information and education. Their ‘help’ page quickly gets you the details of the various outlets available for someone in a crisis, a link to that page is here.

Rethink Mental Illness – Improving the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through a network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. The site has even more information and links on everything from education, rights, benefits and help for carers. It’s a huge resource and well worth a look. Rethink Mental Illness

SANE – a wonderful charity working towards making sure no one with mental illness suffers alone. They have a helpline open 365 days a year and offer an online community for people to join where you can read blogs and post your own (if you’d like to). I’ve joined and write about my own experiences on there regularly. It’s a good start for anyone thinking of talking about their mental health publicly. SANE

Grief

Cruse Bereavement Support– Cruse say that “Grief can be overwhelming – you don’t have to deal with it alone” and that is exactly where they fit in. Any grief, for any reason, for people who need to talk in any way, they are on the end of the phone. They also run local counsilling support sessions as well as a helpline and incredibly useful website. As someone that has used their service in the past, I can’t recommend them highly enough.

The Good Grief Trust – This is a signposting service dedicated to finding people in mourning the correct help for their situation. They say on their website that they provide grievers with “Reassurance, a virtual hand of friendship, and ongoing support.”

Child Bereavement UK – A specific charity helping those who are living through the grief of losing a child as well as helping children themselves to cope with grief at such a young age. They have a freephone helpline on their website as well as lots of information, signposting and support if you aren’t able to talk about things yet.

This is honestly a drop in the ocean, a quick google search will return thousands of options. Everyone has different needs. Just take a minute to find what feels right for you. And don’t forget the benefits possible just by calling your GP or NHS 111.

Pregnancy, Baby and Child Loss Support

There is lots of support available for anyone trying to cope with the loss of a child.

Sands – Sands are a stillbirth and neonatal death charity with a welcoming and safe support community available. They work hard to reduce inequalities in pregnancy loss are reduced and they were a critical part of the ongoing support we received all those years ago. They have a helpline, app, support community and much more available on their website, including information for friends and family of those who are bereaved.

Tommys – Tommys is a charity dedicated to finding the causes and treatments for saving babies lives as well as being a trusted hub for pregnancy support and baby loss. Their website has lots of helpful information about the subjects as well as an established peer support community to talk with other parents experiencing a bereavement. They also have an email service that connects you with a trained bereavement midwife, to answer any questions you might need to ask privately.

Saying Goodbye – Saying Goodbye provide information and support for anyone who has suffered the loss of an infant or baby at any stage. They have a beautiful, gentle website with a myriad of information available. Don’t worry – it’s not overwhelming and it’s easy to navigate. They offer a helpline and email address to answer any

Chronic Pain / Fatigue / Illness / ME

NHS Chronic Fatigue – To start with the NHS has a dedicated Chronic Fatigue page on its website with lots of specific information on the condition including symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options.

ME Action – ME Action is an organsiation building awareness and power to achieve effective and well-funded research, treatment, care, and support for all people with ME. Their website offers resources for patients, carers and healthcare providers, as well as useful contact information and a podcast.

ME Association – The ME Association is specifically to support and assist people living with ME and CFS. They have a 365 day of the year helpline that opens at various times throughout the day, where you can speak to a trained professional who will offer you help and advice on your issues.

Versus Arthritis – The clue is in the name! Yes, these are the people to call if you have questions about Arthritis. I can personally recommend this helpline after calling them a few times for help and guidance on treatments and referrals after my own diagnosis. They were very knowledgeable, very patient and very helpful.

FMA UK – Fibromyalgia Action UK is a charity that aims to support Fibro sufferers and their families. It is run day to day mostly by a team of volunteers, many of whom have Fibromyalgia themselves.

Fibromyalgia Action – Another Fibro charity, also offering support to patients and their families. They operate a helpline, online forum and nationwide support groups. The support groups specifically can be very helpful, enabling you to meet people who understand what it’s like to live with fibro that are also local to you.

Diabetes UK – A huge resource offering help and support to those living with both types 1 & 2 of diabetes. They have a dedicated helpline and offer online support, local support groups and document resources too.

British Heart Foundation – Offering news, support, statistics and helpful information for anyone dealing with heart issues or concerned they might be. They have a dedicated helpline with a Cardiac Nurse available weekdays 9am-5pm and an email address too.

Eating disorder / body image / diet

BEAT – Beat was founded in 1989 and is the UK’s leading eating disorder charity. Their website offers webchat, email, peer support groups and a telephone helpline where you can speak to an expert about your struggles. They also have a dedicated section for people looking for help with supporting a friend or family member who may have an eating disorder.

Be Real Campaign – This campaign was setup by YMCA and Dove to help anyone develop better body confidence and put health above appearance. They have a wide range of advice and support on their website with a page dedicated to common questions and support regarding body confidence.

Talk ED – Talk ED is the new name for the charity dedicated to Anorexia and Bulemia care. They are a national charity aimed at supporting anyone with an eating disorder or eating distress.

Childline – Supporting a child or young adult with their body confidence and eating healthily can be challenging. The charity Childline is available for children and their carers and has advice and information on every stumbling block our kids come across, including body image and healthy diet. They have a dedicated page called ‘My Body‘ that covers every aspect of their changing figures and how to manage their weight, activity and diet healthily.

Carer Support

Carers Trust – The Carers Trust is a UK charity transformsing the lives of unpaid carers through their innovative programme work, influencing policy, undertaking research and providing specialist resources for professionals. Their website has comprehensive information for unpaid carers covering subjects such as finance, getting a break and young carer support too.

Carers UK – Their mission is to make life better for unpaid carers. They provide information and advice on caring, help carers connect with each other, campaign with carers for lasting change and use innovation to improve services. Their website has help and advice on everything from mental health and wellbeing, financial support, careers and work, technology and equipment and details of carer support local to you.

This page will be updated regularly as I add charities and organisations to the other pages of my site. If you have any to suggest then please contact me.

As I’ve said before, there are many places to go to get professional support, and lots of them will speak to you anonymously if needed. But the only way to get a long-term fix is by getting all the necessary help provided by professionals. Being creative, having good breathing techniques, being mindful and all of the other endeavours I’ve suggested are incredibly helpful tools, but they will never fix the problem. They are there to help you along.

Of course, if all else fails, a conversation with your GP is probably the best starting point.

Take care and feel well. Steph 💜

*You must not rely on the information on this website as an alternative to medical advice from your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you have any specific questions about any medical matter you should consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition you should seek immediate medical attention. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website

Creative Steph

“A kinder, more thoughtful world is a place we all deserve to live”

Email me: steph@creativesteph.co.uk

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