Resources and support regarding mental health, substance misuse, or gender and sexuality issues.


Life coaching is not a substitute for counselling, mental health care or substance abuse treatment. If you have concerns for yourself or someone you know then the people and organisations listed here can help. Please talk to someone. Support is available. If you would like to talk to me first I'm happy to listen and suggest referrals if appropriate.

Mental Health

  • Talk to a friend or family member



ACCESS SOCIAL CARE - provides free legal advice to people in England with social care needs. They help people get the social care that they have a right to. (www.accesscharity.org.uk)

ACNE SUPPORT - website set up by the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) with information on treatment and emotional support for people with acne. (www.acnesupport.org.uk/emotional-support)

ANXIETY UK - helping people with anxiety, stress, anxiety-based depression or a phobia. Their helpline is 03444 775 774 open Mon - Fri from 9.30am to 5.30pm. (www.anxietyuk.org.uk)

BEAT EATING DISORDERS - provides support people who have or are worried they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members. Helpline: 0808 801 0677 open 365 days a year from 9am–8pm during the week, and 4pm–8pm on weekends and bank holidays. (www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk)

BEFRIENDERS WORLDWIDE - a global network of 349 emotional support centres in 32 countries. They have an international directory, if you'd like to talk to someone visit their website and enter your country to get details of your nearest helpline.  (www.befrienders.org)

BIPOLAR UK - support for individuals and families affected by bipolar. (www.bipolaruk.org)

BODY DYSMORPHIC DISORDER FOUNDATION - information and support for people with body image issues, and their families and friends, (bddfoundation.org) Their website includes a list of online support groups: bddfoundation.org/support/online-support-groups

CAMPAIGN AGAINST LIVING MISERABLY (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide. Nationwide helpline 0800 58 58 58 is open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year - or use their webchat service. (www.thecalmzone.net)

CHANGING FACES - supporting people with a visible difference or disfigurement. Offer an information and support line, counselling service and an online community. (www.changingfaces.org.uk/services-support)

CHILDLINE - a free telephone service for anyone under 19 in the UK. Call 0800 1111 between 7.30am and 3.30am (www.childline.org.uk)

CITIZENS ADVICE - provides information on many issues including debt relief, immigration, housing, benefits and the law. They have a network of branches run by volunteers across the UK, or you can contact an adviser through their ADVICELINE (England) 0800 144 8848; (Wales) 0800 702 2020; or Relay UK - if you can't hear or speak on the phone, you can type what you want to say: 18001 then 0800 144 8884. (You can use Relay UK with an app or a textphone.) Adviceline is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed public holidays). (www.citizensadvice.org.uk)

COMBAT STRESS - provides mental health treatment and support for veterans of the British Armed Forces, including help if you have PTSD, anxiety or depression. Help is in person and online. Free helpline 0800 138 1619, text 07537 173 683 or email [email protected] (combatstress.org.uk)

CRISIS TEXT LINE - Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime, and a trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds from a secure online platform. (www.crisistextline.org)

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE - offers support after the death of someone close. Helpline 0808 808 1677. Open Mon & Fri 9.30am - 5pm; Tues, Weds & Thurs 9.30am - 8pm; weekends 10am-2pm. (www.cruse.org.uk)

DEPRESSION UK - a national self-help organisation helping people cope with their depression. They have a Facebook page, newsletter and resources on their website, such as: www.depressionuk.org/how-we-can-help/national-links/ and www.depressionuk.org/how-we-can-help/useful-links/

HUB OF HOPE - The UK's leading mental health database. Enter your postcode to find mental health support services in your area (hubofhope.co.uk)

MANKIND - help and support for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence. They also take calls from friends, family members, neighbours, colleagues and employers of male victims seeking information. (www.mankind.org.uk)

MEN'S ADVICE LINE - confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse and those supporting them. Support available via telephone 0808 80 10 327 open Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm, email or webchat (mensadviceline.org.uk)

MIND - mental health charity. Their helpline 0300 123 3393 is open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday except for bank holidays. (www.mind.org.uk)

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR PEOPLE ABUSED IN CHILDHOOD (NAPAC) provides telephone and email emotional support for people who have experienced abuse in childhood. HelpLine 0808 801 0331 open 10am-9pm Mondays to Thursdays, and 10am-6pm on Fridays. (napac.org.uk)

NATIONAL BULLYING HELPLINE - help for people being bullied at work, for parents and for children. Helpline 0300 323 0169 open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. (www.nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk)

NEURODIVERGENT PRACTITIONERS DIRECTORY - a searchable database of neurodivergent therapists, coaches and assessment services (neurodivergentpractitioners.org)

NHS 111 - dial 111 in the UK for the NHS information service

NHS HEALTHY MINDS - google “NHS Healthy Minds” and your county

PAPYRUS HOPELINE – charity working to prevent suicide in people under 35 years old. Phone 0800 068 4141 between 9am and midnight, text: 07860 039 967 or email [email protected] (www.papyrus-uk.org/hopelineuk)

RAPE CRISIS (England & Wales) - confidential services for women and girls of all ages who've experienced any form of sexual violence. National Telephone Helpline 0808 802 9999 open between 12-2.30pm and 7-9.30pm every day of the year. (rapecrisis.org.uk)

REFUGE - provides specialist support to women, children and some men escaping domestic violence and other forms of violence. Freephone 24-Hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (www.refuge.org.uk)

RETHINK MENTAL HEALTH - one of the largest charitable providers of services for people living with mental illness in the UK, with a searchable database to find support in your area. (www.rethink.org)

SAMARITANS - whatever you are going through, one of Samaritans 20,000 volunteers will listen without judgement. Call 116 123 for free or email [email protected] – open 24 hours a day, every day (www.samaritans.org)

SANE - is a leading UK mental health charity. Due to covid their SANEline number cannot operate at the moment, but you can leave a message on 07984 967 708 giving your first name and a contact number, and one of their professionals or senior volunteers will call you back as soon as practicable. (www.sane.org.uk)

SHOUT is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer. (giveusashout.org)

SIGNHEALTH - the Deaf Health Charity provides help and resources for deaf people on many topics, including domestic abuse, social care and mental health. A BSL Health Video Library has lots of resources about mental health challenges. Crisis text service is free and available 24/7. If you need immediate support, text DEAF to 85258. (signhealth.org.uk)

SILVERLINE - a confidential, free helpline for older people in the UK. Call 0800 4 70 80 90 any time, open 24 hours a day every day of the year. (www.thesilverline.org.uk)

SUPPORT AFTER SUICIDE PARTNERSHIP - UK wide network (supportaftersuicide.org.uk)

SUPPORTLINE - provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. Their helpline number is 01708 765200 or you can email [email protected]. Their website also lists support organisations for a range of issues such as abortion, bullying, debt, mental health, stalking and victim support: www.supportline.org.uk/problems

TEXT50808 - free, confidential mental health support service via text for people in Ireland. Text HELLO to 50808 to start a conversation (text50808.ie)

THE SURVIVORS TRUST - provides support for victims and survivors of all ages, all genders, of all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, including support for partners and family members. Free helpline: 08088 010818 (www.thesurvivorstrust.org)

SURVIVORS UK provides an online helpline and other services for adult men (aged 18+) who want to talk about rape or sexual abuse. They also provide a searchable database of specialist support services for men and boys. (www.survivorsuk.org)

THERAPIST AID - a website of tools, worksheets, videos and guides for dealing with a range of issues, including anger, depression, grief and self-esteem. (www.therapistaid.com)

THERAPISTS AND COUNSELLORS - directory at www.counselling-directory.org.uk

TURN2US is a national charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially. They have a Find an Adviser tool on their website. Put in the subject of interest (e.g. bereavement, disability, raising children) and your postcode and they will provide details of support organisations. (advicefinder.turn2us.org.uk)

WOMENSAID - support for women in abusive relationships, including coercive control, stalking and online abuse. Their website has a quiz you can take to find out if you are in an abusive relationship, a Survivors' Forum, a searchable directory for local help, and a webchat service 7 days a week from 10am - 6pm (chat.womensaid.org.uk)

Substance Misuse

  • Talk to a friend or family member



ADFAM - national charity tackling the effects of alcohol, drug use or gambling on family members and friends. (adfam.org.uk)

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS - free national helpline 0800 9177 650 (www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk)

ANTIDOTE - run by London Friend, an LGBT charity, for people worried about their drug and alcohol use. Antidote helpline is 020 7833 1674 (10am-6pm, Monday to Friday). Ask for someone from the Antidote Team. (www.londonfriend.org.uk/antidote)

CLUB DRUG CLINIC - for people who have begun to experience problems with recreational drug use. For confidential advice call 020 3317 3000 or email [email protected] (clubdrugclinic.cnwl.nhs.uk)

DRINK AWARE - for anyone who would like to drink less alcohol (www.drinkaware.co.uk)

DRINKLINE - free, confidential helpline for anyone who is concerned about their drinking, or someone else's. Call 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am–8pm, weekends 11am–4pm)

DRUGS AND ME - provides accessible, objective and comprehensive educational material to help reduce the short and long term harms of drugs. (drugsand.me)

SMART RECOVERY - helping people individuals to gain independence from addictive behaviour and lead fulfilling and balanced lives, with over 3,000 weekly meetings worldwide with SMART Recovery groups in 20 different countries. (smartrecovery.org.uk)

TALK TO FRANK - friendly, confidential advice about drugs. Call 0300 123 6600 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. (www.talktofrank.com)

WEAREWITHYOU – website providing free, confidential support to people experiencing issues with drugs, alcohol or mental health (www.wearewithyou.org.uk)

Gender and Sexuality


56 DEAN STREET - health clinic in London. Their website has information about drugs and alcohol, emotional support, HIV, coping with loneliness during covid-19, mental health, taking PEP and PREP, and sexual health. (dean.st/help-advice)

CLINIQ - holistic wellbeing and sexual health services for trans, non-binary and gender diverse people. They also provide mentoring/ counselling, and PreP. (cliniq.org.uk/www-cliniq-org-uk)

LONDON FRIEND - is a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans charity supporting the health and mental wellbeing of the LGBT community in and around London. Also home to Antidote - the UK's oldest LGBT drug and alcohol service. (www.londonfriend.org.uk)

KINK AND POLY AWARE PROFESSIONALS DIRECTORY (KAP) - a searchable directory of therapeutic, medical, legal and other professionals who have stated that they are knowledgeable about and sensitive to diverse expressions of sexuality. Mostly focussed on America but other countries are represented. (www.kapprofessionals.org)

MERMAIDS - supports trans, nonbinary and gender-diverse children, young people, and their families. Their helpline is 0808 801 0400 open Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm. (www.mermaidsuk.org.uk)

MIND TRANSLINE - is a confidential  emotional, mental health support helpline for people who identify as Trans, Agender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary. Helpline 0300 330 5468 open Mondays and Fridays from 8pm to midnight. (bristolmind.org.uk/help-and-counselling/mindline-transplus)

PINK THERAPY - is a UK-wide organisation which helps people find therapists who won't judge someone for embracing their diversity and who understand some of the social and cultural pressures they may be under. (pinktherapy.com)

SWITCHBOARD LGBT+ provide an information, support and referral service for the LGBT+ communities and can be contacted by phone: 0300 330 0630 (10am – 10pm every day) or email: [email protected] - they also have an Emotional Wellbeing Support Pack you can download from their website. (switchboard.lgbt)

TERRENCE HIGGINS TRUST - is an HIV and sexual health charity. Their helpline is 0808 802 1221 open 10am to 6pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 1pm at weekends, or email [email protected]. Their advisers can provide emotional support if you are worried about your sexual health or have concerns about living with HIV. (www.tht.org.uk)

TRANS LIFELINE (USA based) - is a grassroots hotline and non-profit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis: for the trans community, by the trans community. (translifeline.org)
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Page updated 8 November 2024. With the exception of Thriving Autistic, I have no relationship or affiliate advertising with any products, organisations or applications shared on this website. Any resources listed here are for information only and are used at your own risk.