Available support
If you need support now or the service offered here is not for you, be aware there are countless places you can turn to, please know, you are never alone. There are many organisations, charities and walk-in centres who work 24/7 supporting those who reach out to them. Here are some of them:
Agencies which offer support and information
If you need immediate support call 999 or visit your nearest A&E
The Samaratinans
NHS lists of Mental Health Helplines across the UK
SupportLine Telephone Helpline: 01708 765200 (Helpline)
email info@supportline.org.uk
Confidential emotional support to Children Young People and Adults. Also keeps details of agencies, support groups and counsellors throughout UK.
Association for Post Natal Illness: 020 7386 0868
www.apni.org
To advise and support women suffering from post natal illness. Running a network of volunteers to support sufferers throughout the UK.
Bipolar UK:
0333 323 3880
www.bipolaruk.org
Advice and information for people with manic depression and their families, carers and mental health professionals. Supply a range of information leaflets, books and tapes. Network of self help groups for people with manic depression, relatives and friends. Self management training programme.
Calmzone:
National 0800 585858
London: 0808 802 5858
www.thecalmzone.net
Campaign Against Living Miserably. Help and support for young men aged 15-35 on issues which include depression and suicide.
Childline: 0800 1111
www.childline.org.uk
Depression Alliance:
www.depressionalliance.org
Also offer a range of information on depression and treatment options. National network of self help groups for people experiencing depression. National pen friend scheme offering support and fellowship to people with depression and their carers. Quarterly newsletter, booklets and leaflets on depression.
NB Depression Alliance has merged with MIND, website is no longer being updated but remains for information)
Depression UK:
Self Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham Street, Nottingham NG1 2EG UK
email info@depressionuk.org
www.depressionuk.org
Wide self help organisation made up of individual members and groups which meet locally on a regular basis for mutual support. £10 yearly membership (reductions for those who cannot afford that amount).
Health in Mind (Scotland)
0131 225 8508
www.maytree.org.uk
Sanctuary for the suicidal offering befriending and support (based in N.London).
Coram Voice:
0808 800 5792
www.coramvoice.org.uk
Telephone advice, information and advocacy services for children in care. Helpline for care leavers - 0808 100 3224.
Low Cost Counselling
Spiral Centre, Islington
http://spiralcentre.org/low-cost-therapy/
East London Therapy
Our Lead Counsellor, Claudia Turbet-Delof, runs her private practice through East London Therapy, offering counselling open-ended and structured therapy for young people, adults, couples and family groups in De Beauvoir Town, Haggerston, N1
The Waterloo Counselling Community Project
Centred for Better Health
http://www.centreforbetterhealth.org.uk/what-we-offer/counselling
Directory of Counsellors & Psychotherapists
Counselling Directory
http://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/
British Association of Counsellors and Psychotherapists UK (BACP)
Other sources of support:
Housing support http://england.shelter.org.uk/
Money Management & Debt https://nationaldebtadvice.org.uk/
Financial support to help with costs to cover utility bills, food, accommodation costs. Check if you qualify for benefits or small grants https://www.turn2us.org.uk/Find-Benefits-Grants
Volunteer opportunities to share your skills, learn, support others whilst enhancing your employability skills https://do-it.org/
Free online Open University courses for a wide range of FREE online short courses http://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue
BAME support Multi-disciplinary support & free or low cost therapy for women of black and minority ethnic groups http://www.bmeadvicenetwork.org.uk/
Recommended reading:
Help anxiety feelings, find out what keeps the low mood and low self-esteem going
Book: ‘Overcoming Low Self-Esteem’, A Self-Help Guide by Melanie Fennel
To support people with depression and the people caring for them
Book: I had a black dog, by Matthew Johnstone
Directory and Book Services:
07854 653118
www.dabs.uk.com
Wide range of books including those on depression, self-esteem assertiveness, self-harm, child abuse.
Support for couples and relationships, Book: 'Hold Me Tight' by Dr Johnson uses Emotionally Focused Therapy to save and enrich relationships by reestablishing safe emotional connections. Highly recommended.
Podcasts & Videos:
The Mental Health Foundation has a brilliant list of podcasts and videos including mindfulness exercises to support different areas of distress https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/podcasts-and-videos