Mental Health Awareness Week
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and given that the current pandemic and lockdown may be making existing mental health conditions worse or creating new mental health struggles, it’s important to take this opportunity to highlight the support available.
Poor mental health is something that anyone can suffer regardless of their background, job position, financial standing and even how they may seem on the surface. Some people may experience a short period of poorer mental health brought on by temporary stresses, while others may be living with a long-term condition. Either way, like any other illness, this is nothing to be ashamed of and with the right help things can be improved.
Below is a range of mental health resources, helplines and contact details that you can make use of if you would like to speak to someone or get some support.
Anxiety UK
Support for those with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 10pm; Saturday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Bipolar UK
Supports those living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Phone: 07591 375 544
Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
Breathing Space
A confidential service for people suffering from depression, anxiety or low-mood.
Phone: 0800 83 85 87
Website: https://breathingspace.scot
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Depression Alliance
Supports people with experience of depression through a pen-friend scheme, membership and newsletter. Provides information and publications and campaigns to raise awareness of depression. Also operates a network of local self help groups throughout the UK.
Telephone: 0845 123 23 20 (to request an information pack only )
Email: information@depressionalliance.org
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
Men’s Health Forum
Offers 24 hour stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation
Information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
No Panic
Support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
OCD Action
Support for people with OCD, including information on treatment and online resources.
Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge
Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD UK
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD.
Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.ocduk.org
PAPYRUS
An organisation aiming to prevent suicide in young people.
Phone: 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm, and 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.rethink.org
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including contemplating suicide.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk
SANE
Support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, and their families and carers.
Phone: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm)
Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare
Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
Refuge
Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.refuge.org.uk