Self-help and support groups differ from other forms of help in that you are not being treated by a healthcare professional. Instead, you receive support and/or advice from other people dealing with similar problems to your own. Most groups are free.
This page gives details of self-help and support groups in the UK. If you’re oustide the UK, see our Treatment page. Some of the organisations listed on this page also cover the Republic of Ireland.
Self-harm groups:
UK-wide
London
South East
South West
East of England
East Midlands
West Midlands
Yorkshire & Humber
North West
North East
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
Mental health groups:
England & Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
UK-Wide Self-Harm Groups
SASH
A national penfriend network for survivors of abuse and self-harm.
BCSW Self-Injury Support Groups
A listing of self-harm support groups across the UK.
The NSHN and Secret Shame also have listings of self-harm groups, but neither appears to be particularly up to date.
London
Ashley Road Day Centre
Runs a self-harm group in Islington.
BASH
For young men aged 13-19 in Harrow.
The Gap Project
For young women aged 13-19 in Tower Hamlets.
Girls Xpress
For young women aged 13-19 in Harrow.
New Horizons
For people aged 16-25 in Islington.
Zindaagi
For young Asian women in East London.
South East
IWISH (Isle of Wight)
A mixed sex group.
South West
SISH Group (Bristol)
Runs a weekly support group for women and monthly workshops for both sexes.
Plymouth Self-Harm Support Group
For people aged 18-65.
East of England
Luton Churches Education Trust
Runs groups for young people.
East Midlands
Cutting Back (Nottingham)
For women.
West Midlands
Shropshire Mind (Shrewesbury)
Runs a self-harm group for women.
Echo Group (Stoke on Trent)
For people aged 18 and over.
Archway Centre (Walsall)
Runs a self-injury group.
Yorkshire & Humber
SHIP (Leeds)
Runs a self-harm group. More details are in their brochure, which you can download in PDF format here.
North West
SHUSH (Blackpool)
Support for Self-Harm (Bolton)
Self-Injury Support (Cumbria)
Faciliated and self-help support groups.
YPAS (Liverpool)
Runs two groups, one for people aged 13-15 and the other for people aged 16-25.
42nd Street (Manchester)
For people aged 13-25.
People Understanding Self-Harm (Manchester)
A self-help group.
Afternoon Drop-In (Merseyside)
Peer support for women.
North East
Unfortunately, we don’t currently know of any self-harm support groups in the North East. If you know of any, please contact us.
Wales
The Basement Project (Abergavenny)
Support groups for those who have been abused as children and people who self-harm.
The Amber Project (Cardiff)
For young people.
Cardiff Adult Self-Injury Project (Cardiff)
For adults aged over 18.
Self-Injury Support Group (Flintshire)
For women.
Llanelli Self-Harm Support Group
Not currently running, but may start up again in the future. Contact the group for further details.
Scotland
Aberdeen Self-Harm Project
For people aged 16-25.
Edinburgh Self-Harm Project
For people aged 16-25.
North Ayrshire Self-Harm Project
For people aged 16-25.
Northern Ireland
Unfortunately, we don’t currently know of any self-harm support groups in Northern Ireland. If you know of any, please contact us.
Mental Health Groups in England & Wales
The organisations below run or list groups throughout England and Wales. There may also be local independent groups in your area – try asking your GP, local library or NHS Direct.
Changes
Self-help groups which promote recovery from mental health problems.
Local Mind Associations
Some LMAs run self-help or support groups.
Depression Alliance (England) | Journeys (Wales)
Groups where people who are affected by depression can meet to share experiences and coping strategies with others in similar situations.
NAPAC Regional Help Groups
For people who were abused in childhood.
Anxiety Self-Help Groups
A database of groups for people suffering from anxiety disorders.
MDF the Bipolar Organisation
For people with bipolar disorder or manic depression.
Beat Self-Help & Support Groups
For people with eating disorders.
Alcoholics Anonymous
12-step groups for people who have a drinking problem.
Mental Health Groups in Scotland
The organisations below run or list groups throughout Scotland. There may also be local independent groups in your area – try asking your GP, local library or NHS 24.
Depression Alliance Scotland
Groups where people who are affected by depression can meet to share experiences and coping strategies with others in similar situations.
NAPAC Regional Help Groups
For people who were abused in childhood.
Anxiety Self-Help Groups
A database of groups for people suffering from anxiety disorders.
Bipolar Fellowship Scotland
Self-help groups for people with bipolar disorder or manic depression.
Beat Self-Help & Support Groups
For people with eating disorders.
Alcoholics Anonymous
12-step groups for people who have a drinking problem.
Mental Health Groups in Northern Ireland
The organisations below run or list groups throughout Northern Ireland (and in some cases, the Republic of Ireland). There may also be local independent groups in your area – try asking your GP or local library.
Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health
Some of NIAMH’s services include self-help groups.
Aware
Depression support groups throughout Ireland.
NAPAC Regional Help Groups
For people who were abused in childhood.
Anxiety Self-Help Groups
A database of groups for people suffering from anxiety disorders.
Beat Self-Help & Support Groups
For people with eating disorders.
Alcoholics Anonymous
12-step groups for people who have a drinking problem. Includes RoI.