Useful Websites

Mental Health Support

• Beat Beat is the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. Beat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association.
• Depression Alliance Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people with depression. Their aim is to relieve and to prevent this treatable condition by providing information and support services to those who are affected by it via our publications, supporter services and network of self-help groups for people affected by depression.
• MAC-UK Founded in 2008, MAC-UK successfully engages with some of the UK’s most excluded and deprived young people who are most in need of support but least likely to access it.
• Manic Depression Fellowship Established in 1983 MDF The BiPolar Organisation is a national user-led organisation and registered charity for people whose lives are affected by manic depression.
• Mental Health Foundation Founded in 1949, the Mental Health Foundation is a leading UK charity that provides information, carries out research, campaigns and works to improve services for anyone affected by mental health problems, whatever their age and wherever they live.
• Mind Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. They work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress.
• Nacro Mental Health Nacro is the leading criminal justice charity in England and Wales. The Mental Health Unit aims to improve responses to defendants and offenders with mental health issues. The site contains up to date information on mental health and offending including discussion forums.
• No Panic No Panic is a registered charity that offers support for sufferers of Panic Attacks, Phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, General Anxiety Disorder and Tranquilliser Withdrawal.
• OCD Action OCD Action, the national charity for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorders, provides support and information to anybody affected by OCD, works to raise awarenes of the disorder amongst the public and frontline healthcare profesionals and strives to ensure that appropriate services are available.
• Personality Disorder This website provides information, resources and learning opportunities on Personality Disorder (PD) as well as supporting the development of the National Personality Disorder Programme.
• Release Release is the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law – providing free and confidential specialist advice to the public and professionals.
• Rethink Founded over 30 years ago to give a voice to people affected by severe mental illness and today, with over 8,300 members, remain determined that this voice will continue to be heard.
• Samaritans Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
• SANE SANE was established in 1986 to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness.
• Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA) The SAD Association is a voluntary organisation and registered charity which informs the public and health professions about SAD and supports and advises sufferers of the condition.
• Time to Change Time to Change is England’s biggest ever attempt to end the stigma and discrimination that faces people with mental health problems.
• Togetherall Togetherall is an online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-help programmes, creative outlets and a community that cares.
• Triumph Over Phobia (Top UK) Triumph Over Phobia (TOP UK) is a UK registered charity which aims to help sufferers of phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder and other related anxiety to overcome their fears and become ex-sufferers.
• Wish Established in 1987, Wish is the only national, user-led charity working with women with mental health needs in prison, hospital and the community.
• YoungMinds YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people.

Mental Health Blogs

• Mental Health Cop Michael Brown’s award winning blog that was initially set up as a resource where police officers could access clear, informed advice on how to deal with incidents involving people with mental health difficulties

Autism & Learning Difficulties Support

• Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation The Asperger’s Syndrome Foundation is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of Asperger’s Syndrome. The Foundation aims to promote high quality support and services, and to enable people with Asperger’s syndrome to develop into members of the community who are respected for their contribution and recognised for their unique differences.
• AuKids Magazine AuKids is a quarterly positive parenting magazine for children under 10 with autism spectrum disorders. Produced by a parent and speech and language therapist, it contains positive ideas and inspiration and is available free in Manchester and Cheshire or through paying a small subscription if you live elsewhere in the UK.
• Disablities Trust The Disabilities Trust was founded in 1979 to provide an imaginative new concept of personal care and specialist housing for people with special needs.
• Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities The Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities works to promote the rights, quality of life and opportunities of people with learning disabilities and their families.
• National Autistic Society The National Autistic Society champions the rights and interests of all people with autism and aim to provide individuals with autism and their families with help, support and information on services.

Neuropsychiatric Support

• Brain and Spine Foundation The Brain & Spine Foundation is a registered charity that provides support for people affected by neurological problems.
• Encephalitis Society The Encephalitis Society is registered charity which works to raise awareness and support for people affected by encephalitis.
• Epilepsy Action Epilepsy Action is a charity that aims to improve the lives of everyone affected by epilepsy.
• Headway – the brain injury association Headway is a UK-wide charity that works to improve life after brain injury by providing vital support and information services.
• Huntington’s Disease Association The Huntington’s Disease Association is a registered charity which aims to improve care and support services for people with Huntington’s disease, educate families and professionals, and champion people’s rights.
• United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum The United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) is a membership organisation and believes that by bringing together all parties with an interest in ABI we have a stronger voice.

Addictions Support

• Action on Addiction Action on Addiction is a registered charity, which was formed in May 2007 through the merger of three organisations: Action on Addiction, Clouds and the Chemical Dependency Centre.
• Al-Anon UK Al-Anon Family Groups provide understanding, strength and hope to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.
• Alcoholics Anonymous Alcoholics Anonymous is as an informal society of more than 2,000,000 recovered alcoholics worldwide.
• Alcohol Concern Alcohol Concern is the national agency on alcohol misuse. They work to reduce the incidence and costs of alcohol-related harm and to increase the range and quality of services available to people with alcohol-related problems.
• Drink Aware Drinkaware is an independent charity that aims to change the UK’s drinking habits for the better. They promote responsible drinking and try to find innovative ways to challenge the national drinking culture and tackle alcohol misuse.
• Drug Addicts Anonymous Drug Addicts Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who once suffered from an addiction to mood altering substances. They currently hold meetings in London, Blackpool and Plymouth.
• DrugScope DrugScope is the UK’s leading independent centre of information and expertise on drugs. Their aim is to inform policy development and reduce drug-related harms – to individuals, families and communities.
• Gamblers Anonymous Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problem and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same.
• Narcotics Anonymous Narcotics Anonymous is an international, community-based association of recovering drug addicts with more than 43,900 weekly meetings in over 127 countries worldwide.
• Talk to Frank Talk to Frank, formerly known as the National Drugs Helpline, is a web-site and telephone helpline offering advice, information and support to anyone concerned about drugs and solvent/volatile substance misuse, including drug misusers, their families, friends and carers.

Support for Carers

Providing care for someone can at times be stressful, and can take its toll on your own health and wellbeing. If you feel you need to speak to someone about any stress or anxiety, or if you are feeling low, you can always contact your GP, but there are also organisations that can offer you help and support.

• TLAP Care and Support Jargon Buster TLAP is committed to explaining the jargon used in health and social care. Their jargon buster is a directory of Plain English definitions of commonly used words and phrases in health and social care.
• Carers UK Carers UK is the leading national charity for unpaid carers. We support, advocate for, champion and connect carers across the UK, so that no one has to care alone.
• Carers UK’s Digital Resource for Carers Carers UK and NHS England have teamed up to provide unpaid carers in England with information, support, and advice.
• Chill4us Carers Chill4us Carers is a social network community for family carers. It is a peer support group offering carer resources.
• SANE SANE was established in 1986 to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness.
• The Samaritans The Samaritans provide 24 hour emotional support to anybody experiencing distress, despair, or suicidal feelings. You can also talk to someone face to face if needed.
• The Silver Line The Silver Line offers friendship, conversation, and support to older people aged 55 and over. Whatever the day or time, you can pick up the phone and speak to one of our friendly Silver Line team members.
• Togetherall Togetherall is an online mental health and wellbeing service offering self-help programmes, creative outlets and a community that cares.