Use the below link for a directory of charities and their helplines
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Below you’ll find some more information on helplines, including their benefits and availability:
For better viewing, turn mobile devices horizontally to see the full table.
| wdt_ID | Organisation or Charity | Overview | Target | Services | Location for Individual Support | Costs | Website | Contact | How it works / What to expect | Additional services / comments | How/When would you think this charity would be useful? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samaritans http://www.samaritans.org/ |
One of the best known helplines for people in crisis. Staffed by volunteers, first point of contact is via phone. | Individuals, Families | Helpline | Virtual | No Costs | http://www.samaritans.org | Call free on 116 123 (UK) Email: jo@samaritans.org |
Listening service, explicitly state they do not tell you what to do. Will provide contact details for local organisations that specialise in helping. | Listening service and resource direction | For people in crisis who need to talk through it anonymously. |
| 2 | MayTree http://www.maytree.org.uk/ |
A “sanctuary for the suicidal”. Suicide prevention charity offering respite to sufferers. Support is offered in various forms: a place to stay, 24hr 365 days support on the phone and via email. Majority of staff are volunteers. | Individuals | Therapy, Helpline | Finsbury Park, North London | No Costs | http://www.maytree.org.uk/ | Telephone: 0207 263 7070 Email: maytree@maytree.org.uk Tweet @maytreesavingli |
After initial contact via phone/email, there is an assessment (local visit or via phone). Then you may be offered a place to stay if required, with lots of one-to-one support offered throughout one’s stay. There is no charge but the stay is limited to a one-off 4 night stay. No doctor referral required. There is no “professional counselling” but instead the volunteers may well be counsellors or had training but the aim is to befriend others, and trust others in sharing each other’s stories. | Calm and safe environment in which to discuss feelings with the opportunity to have one-to-one sessions with staff/volunteers trained to help. Freshly made food is provided by the volunteers. People interact, go for walks, write, paint etc | For those contemplating suicide for a variety of different reasons; bereavement being one of the key triggers from research and other mental health issues. Essentially this charity attempts to fill the void between telephone helplines and hospital admission. |
| 3 | MIND https://www.mind.org.uk/ |
Advice and support to anyone experiencing mental health issues as well as campaigning to improve services/raise awareness. Local Mind provides local in-person support; search by postcode: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/local-minds/ |
Individuals, Families | Therapy, Helpline, Legal | Several locations based on your postcode. | No Costs | https://www.mind.org.uk/ | Mind’s Infoline is open from 9am–6pm weekdays. You can contact their Infoline on 0800 123 3393 Text: 86463 Email info@mind.org.uk |
Offer phone/web based support nationally. Local Minds support over 390,000 people across England and Wales (140 of them). Their services include supported housing, crisis helplines, drop-in centres, employment and training schemes, counselling and befriending. You can also call their info line for general support/information, as well as their legal line. | Tips on how to support others. Offer a full list of issues, with each one offering various support services e.g. for feeling suicidal, they have the Samaritans help-line. Options for telephone support. “I need urgent help now” https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/?ctaId=/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/slices/using-this-tool/. A to Z of Mental Health issues is very useful: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/ |
Particularly for friends/family of sufferers as there is a wealth of info to help, as well as help around legal issues. Local drop-in centres also very helpful. |
| 5 | Sane http://www.sane.org.uk/home |
Work to improve quality of life for anyone affected by mental illness. SANE's vision: to raise public awareness, excite research, and bring more effective professional treatment and compassionate care to everyone affected by mental illness. | Individuals, Families | Awareness, Helpline / texting | Virtual | No Costs | http://www.sane.org.uk/home | Telephone: 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm to 10.30pm daily) Email: info@sane.org.uk |
Offers a website, a helpline and text service. Includes good information for young people. Emotional support etc. | Listening/webchat and advocacy | Useful tool for research and marketing materials |
| 6 | Rethink Mental Illness https://www.rethink.org/services-groups |
Rethink have over 200 mental health services and 150 support groups across England. From psychological therapies and Crisis and Recovery Houses to peer support groups and housing services, we directly help thousands of people every year across England. | Individuals, Families | Helpline, Group therapy | Several locations based on your postcode. | No Costs | https://www.rethink.org/services-groups | Telephone: 0300 5000 927 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 4pm, not including bank holidays | |||
| 7 | The CALM Zone (Campaign against living miserably) https://www.thecalmzone.net/ |
Targeted at preventing mens suicide. 5pm-midnight phone support. | Individuals, Men | Helpline | Virtual | No Costs | https://www.thecalmzone.net/ | Nationwide Telephone: 0800 58 58 58 London Telephone: 0808 802 58 58 58 5pm - midnight 365 days/yr |
Information resource directed at men, webchat and a phone line from 5pm-midnight daily | Listening/webchat and stories and magazine | Men in a crisis |
| 8 | Mental Health UK https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/ |
Advises on mental health and money problems through a financial advice line that has supported over 700 people who are on average £750 better off per caller as a result. Additionally a charity raising awareness and supports partnering charities. | Individuals | Advises on welfare benefits, managing money and debt, and mental health care and treatment. Provides financial information and support to those suffering from mental health issues as well as friends / family members who are trying to help someone else manage their finances. | Online and Financial helpline | Free | https://www.mentalhealthandmoneyadvice.org/en/ https://www.mentalhealth-uk.org/ |
Money Advice Service: You can use the Money Advice Service website to find a debt adviser near you and gain advice on other debt matters. Telephone: 0800 915 4633 (Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm and Saturday 9.30am to 1pm) www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en Address - 120 Holborn, London EC1N TD |