More support and information for you
I need urgent support
If you or someone else is in danger, or you feel like you might try to end your life or seriously harm yourself, please call 999 or go straight to Accident and Emergency (A&E).
If you need to talk to someone right now, call Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.
If you need health support now but it isn't an emergency, call NHS 111.
On this page
On and offline forums and groups
Specific mental health issues
Action on Postpartum Psychosis (APP)
Information and support on postpartum psychosis, including online forum and peer support network.
Visit the APP website.
Anxiety UK
Organisation run by and for people with anxiety disorders, offering information, support and therapies for people experiencing anxiety.
Helpline: 03444 775 774
Text: 07537 416 905
Visit the Anxiety UK website.
Beat
Eating disorders charity providing information, support, local groups, 1-1 online chat and online chatrooms.
Helplines:
- England: 0808 801 0677
- Scotland: 0808 801 0432
- Wales: 0808 801 0433
- Northern Ireland: 0808 801 0434
Bipolar UK
Information and support, local groups and an online community for people with bipolar disorder.
Visit the Bipolar UK website.
Bipolar Fellowship Scotland
Information, support and advice for people with bipolar disorder, including support groups and 1-1 peer support.
Visit the Bipolar Fellowship Scotland website.
Birth Trauma Association
Supports people who experience birth trauma or PTSD and provides information for their partners.
Visit the Birth Trauma Association website.
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Information for those who are considering some form of counselling. Find a registered therapist near you.
Call: 01455 883 300
Email: [email protected]
Visit the BACP Website.
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)
Can provide details of therapists trained in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).
Visit the BABCP Website.
Counselling Directory
Find a professional counsellor or psychotherapist.
Visit the Counselling Directory website.
Mind
Mental health charity providing information, support, local groups and an online peer support community.
Call them on 0300 123 3393 (for information only; not a helpline).
Visit the Mind website.
No Panic
Online and telephone support for people suffering from panic attacks, phobias, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and anxiety disorders.
Helpline: 0300 772 9844
Email: [email protected]
Visit the No Panic website.
OCD Action
Provides telephone advice, plus online forum and support groups for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.
Helpline: 0300 636 5478
Email: [email protected]
Visit the OCD Action website.
PTSD UK
Resources and information for anyone experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Visit the PTSD UK website.
Rethink
Support, advice and information for anyone several affected by mental illness, including local support groups.
Call 0808 801 0525 or email [email protected] for advice and information on mental health.
Visit the Rethink website.
Samaritans
Confidential service offering free, 24-hour emotional support to those in need.
Call: 116 123
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Samaritans website.
Domestic violence and abuse
Ashiana
Support for Black, Asian, minority ethnic and refugee women who have experienced or are at risk of violence and abuse.
Helpline: 0114 255 5740
Visit the Ashiana website.
Galop
LGBT+ anti-violence charity, which runs a National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline.
Helpline: 0800 999 5428
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Galop website.
NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)
Support, advice and guidance for adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse – sexual, physical or emotional.
Support line: 0808 801 0331
Visit the NAPAC website.
Refuge
Support, advice and information for women and children affected by domestic abuse of any kind.
Free 24/7 helpline: 0808 2000 247
Visit the Refuge website.
Respect
Support and advice for people who are violent towards other people, who are looking for help to stop.
Telephone 0808 802 4040
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Respect website.
Respond
A range of services for people with learning disabilities, autism or both, who have suffered trauma, including victims of sexual abuse.
Visit the Respond website.
Samaritans
Free 24-hour support for anyone experiencing distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
Call: 116 123
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Samaritans website.
The Forced Marriage Unit
Joint initiative between the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and Home Office. It assists actual and potential victims of forced marriage, as well as professionals working in the social, educational and health sectors.
Call: 020 7008 0151
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Forced Marriage Unit website.
Victim Support
Support and information for people affected by crime, including rape and sexual abuse, as a victim or a witness.
Helpline: 0808 16 89 111
Visit the Victim Support website.
Women's Aid
Provides support and advice for sufferers of domestic abuse, whether physical or emotional. Includes live chat, survivor’s handbook and supportive online community.
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Women’s Aid website for your location:
Money and benefits
ACAS
Free, impartial advice on your rights at work.
Helpline: 0300 123 1100
Visit the ACAS website.
Citizens Advice
The Citizens Advice website offers a range of advice on money, bills and benefits, including online chat and debt helpline.
Visit the Citizens Advice website.
Disability Rights UK
A range of information about rights and benefits for disabled people.
Personal budget helpline: 0330 995 0404
Visit the Disability Rights UK website.
Family Action
Provides practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country.
Telephone: 0808 802 6666
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Family Action website.
Gingerbread
Information and support for single parent families, including information on benefits and child maintenance.
Helpline: 0808 802 0925
Visit the Gingerbread website.
Gov.uk
Official government website linking to recommended benefits calculators, plus signposting to more official information on benefits.
Visit the government benefits calculator website.
Healthy Start
Provides vouchers for food and vitamins to people on certain benefits who are pregnant or have a child under 4 years old.
Visit the Healthy Start website.
Maternity allowances and benefits
Find out about all the benefits you may be able to access during and after pregnancy on the official government website.
Visit the benefits and financial support for families website.
Shelter
Support for people experiencing housing issues or homelessness, including information about housing benefit and council tax.
Visit the Shelter website.
Turn2us
Help to understand more about the welfare benefits system and what might be available to you, depending on your personal situation.
Visit the Turn2us website.
Relationships
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
Information for those who are considering some form of counselling. Find a therapist near you, including couples’ counselling.
Call: 01455 883 300
Email: [email protected]
Visit the BACP website.
Brook
Information and advice for young people concerned about sex, relationships or gender.
Visit the Brook website.
Relate
Information, support and relationship counselling, including family counselling.
Visit the Relate website.
Parenting support
Action for Children
Parenting support and advice, including local community services, online information and live chat.
Visit the Action for Children website.
Contact
Advice and information for families with disabled children.
Helpline: 0808 808 3555
Visit the Contact website.
Cry-sis
Guidance and support for parents struggling with crying or sleepless babies.
Helpline: 0800 448 0737
Visit the Cry-sis website.
Family Lives
Support for anyone parenting a child, including live chat, free online parenting courses, and forum.
Helpline: 0808 800 2222
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Family Lives website.
Gingerbread
Information and support for lone parents online and through a network of local groups.
Helpline: 0808 802 0925
Visit the Gingerbread website.
Home-Start
Support for families with young children, including local support, parenting tips, money advice and more.
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Home-Start website.
Mencap
Information and advice for people with a learning disability, families and carers.
Helpline: 0808 808 1111
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Mencap website.
National Breastfeeding Helpline
Independent, confidential, parent-centred, non-judgmental breastfeeding support and information.
Helpline: 0300 100 0212
Visit the National Breastfeeding Helpline website.
Rainbow Trust
Supports families with children who suffer from a life-threatening or terminal illness.
Call: 01372 363 438
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Rainbow Trust website.
Drugs, alcohol and smoking
Adfam
The national charity working to improve life for families affected by drugs or alcohol.
Visit the Adfam website.
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
A free self-help group offering a "12-step" programme for getting sober with the help of regular support groups.
Helpline: 0800 917 7650
Email: [email protected]
Visit the Alcoholics Anonymous website.
Drinkaware
Impartial information to help reduce harm associated with alcohol misuse.
Drinkline: 0300 123 1110
Visit the Drinkaware website.
Frank
Provides free, confidential advice about drug taking and gives information about local support services.
Helpline: 0300 123 6600
Text: 82111
Visit the Frank website.
NHS stop smoking services
Get professional help to quit smoking wherever you are in the UK:
Plus, download the free NHS stop smoking app.
On and offline forums and groups
Off and online communities are great ways to meet other parents or parents-to-be and get peer support on all sorts of issues.
Offline
NCT antenatal classes
The National Childbirth Trust runs paid-for antenatal classes to prepare parents-to-be for having a baby. You need to join these yourself by looking for classes available in your area.
Find a class near you on the NCT website.
NHS antenatal classes
The NHS organises free antenatal classes to prepare parents-to-be for having a baby. You will be told about your local classes and times as part of your antenatal care.
Read more about NHS antenatal classes here.
Online
Dadsnet
Information, forum and more especially for dads and dads-to-be.
Visit the Dadsnet forum.
Netmums
Forum with threads on all issues related to pregnancy, birth and parenting. Includes advice from expert Parent Supporters such as health visitors, counsellors and social workers.
Visit the Netmums forum.
Don't forget to check for local forums or social media groups as well. They often have pregnancy/baby/parenting threads where you can arrange local face-to-face meet-ups.