This page gives details of sources of professional help in the UK.
Need help urgently in a crisis? See UK Crisis Services.
Contents
The NHS
University & Work-Based Services
Charitable Organisations
Self-Help & Support Groups
Going Private
Self-Harm Directories
In theory, all the help you’re likely to need – counselling, medication, ongoing support, etc – is available on the NHS. In practice, there are usually long waiting lists (especially if you’re over 18) and access to therapy is often limited. However, the NHS is the most obvious source of help, so it may be the best starting point.
The main route for accessing NHS help is through your GP. They can prescribe medication, provide (limited) emotional support, and refer you to other services. You might want to find out for yourself what sorts of mental health services are available in your area. If so, go to one of the NHS websites below and look up your local NHS trusts. Both primary care and mental health care trusts provide treatment for mental health problems. You can also look up other GP surgeries in your area to see which services they offer.
When dealing with the NHS, don’t be afraid to ask for the kind of help you need (politely, of course). My experience is that many services, such as counselling, are rarely offered unless directly requested. If you find it difficult to speak up about your needs, you might want to write it down, take a friend with you, or get an advocate.
NHS England | NHS Scotland | NHS Wales | NHS Northern Ireland
For details of local GP surgeries, Primary Care and Mental Health Care trusts, etc.
The Spectrum of Mental Health Services
Explains the different types of mental health service available in the UK.
Crisis Recovery Unit
A specialist inpatient unit for people who self-harm. It is situated in London but accepts patients from throughout the UK. You will need to be referred by a psychiatrist.
Patient Advice & Liaison Service (PALS)
Provides information and advice on NHS issues. They can help resolve problems or concerns and help you make an official complaint if necessary.
University & Work-Based Services
Most (if not all) universities and colleges in the UK provide free counselling to students. For details, contact your students’ union or look on your university’s website.
Many larger employers are starting to do this as well. Counselling is often provided through something called an Employee Assistance Programme and should be completely confidential – your boss and colleagues will never find out you are having counselling unless you choose to tell them. If you’re not sure whether your company offers this or not, you could ask your HR department.
Several charities in the UK provide free or low-cost counselling and other mental health services. The organisations listed below provide services throughout the UK, but smaller, local providers also exist. Try asking your GP surgery or local library for details, or look in your local phone book.
First Steps to Freedom
Offers help to people who suffer from phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, general anxiety, panic attacks, anorexia and bulimia, and those who wish to come off tranquillisers.
Local Mind Associations
Local Mind Associations can be found throughout England and Wales and offer a range of services which may include drop-in centres, counselling, self-help groups and advocacy.
London Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
Sliding scale therapy in London.
Rape Crisis Centres
These provide free counselling and support to people who have been raped or sexually abused, no matter how long ago. Unfortunately, most (but not all) centres only offer services to women. The site gives details of centres in England and Wales; for Scotland and Ireland, look at their key links section.
Relate
Counselling for couples or individuals who are experiencing relationship or sexual problems. They do charge a fee but how much you pay depends on your income. They also provide free counselling for young people (aged 10 to 25) whose parents are separating.
Rethink Services
Runs more than 300 services around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including home treatment, helplines and advocacy. Also offers support to carers.
WPF Network
A network of counselling centres. They charge less than private counsellors and how much you pay will depend on your income.
Youth Access
A directory of free counselling, information and advice services for young people.
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 (if not all) groups are free.
Again, the organisations below provide or list groups throughout the UK, but ask at your GP surgery or local library for details of local independent groups. See also Self-Harm Directories for details of self-harm support groups.
Bristol Crisis Service for Women
Offers support to women in distress, particularly those who self-injure. You can contact them for details of local support groups around the country.
Alcoholics Anonymous
12-step groups for people who have a drinking problem.
Anxiety Self-Help Groups
A database of groups for people suffering from anxiety disorders.
Beat Self-Help & Support Groups
Groups for people with eating disorders.
Changes
Self-help groups which promote recovery from mental health problems.
Depression Alliance Support Groups
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
Groups for people who were abused in childhood.
If you are able to pay for your treatment, you have many options open to you. Private counselling or therapy usually starts at around £40 a session, although some therapists offer reduced rates to students or people on low incomes. Seeing a psychiatrist privately is considerably more expensive, and unlike counselling or therapy, you will need a referral from your GP.
If you have private health insurance, check your policy for details of what it covers. Unfortunately, pre-existing conditions, chronic conditions and counselling/therapy are often excluded.
The following organisations provide details of accredited counsellors and therapists:
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies
British Psychological Society
UK Council for Psychotherapy
Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy
BUPA Hospitals
Private hospital care and medical treatment, including psychiatry.
Nuffield Hospitals
Private healthcare including psychiatric treatment.
Association of Therapeutic Communities
Residential treatment for people with long-term mental health problems. This treatment is sometimes funded by the NHS or social services.
The following sites give details of services specifically for people who self-harm or have an eating disorder. These may be a mixture of NHS, charitable and private services, including self-help and support groups.
NSHN Resources
An extensive list of self-help groups and other resources of use to self-harmers.
Young People and Self-Harm: Local Services
Contact details for local counsellors, self-help groups and other services and organisations. Many of the services listed here are suitable for self-harmers of any age.
Secret Shame: UK Resources
This page is not particularly up-to-date, but does include details of some self-help and support groups for self-injurers.
Beat Help Finder
A database of services for people with an eating disorder.