Support Organisations
List of key organisations and contacts offering support for issues relating to mental health
Mental Health Organisations
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(the Scottish Association for Mental Health) operates an information service from Monday to Friday between 2pm and 4pm. Information service staff and volunteers can answer general mental health enquiries, advise you on your rights and signpost you to your local services.
Call 0800 917 3466 or visitÌý
is committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Visit for information, support and advice.
is a Scottish mental health charity, working to improve mental wellbeing across Scotland. They work to promote mental health and wellbeing for all, prevent mental ill health for people who are ‘at risk’ and to support people with mental health problems. They provide a wide range of services for adults and young people which offer hope and practical steps towards recovery.
Contact them by phone on 0131 475 2380 (9-5pm Monday to Thursday and 9-4pm on Fridays)
EmailÌýenquiries@penumbra.org.ukÌýor visitÌý
is a national mental health charity supporting people affected by serious mental health problems and mental illness including family members friends and carers. We have a national enquiry line and local services in many parts of Scotland, providing information, emotional support, practical support and specialist guidance relating to mental health legislation as it affects individuals and families.
Telephone - 0131 662 4359 (Mon-Fri office hours)
EmailÌýinfo@supportinmindscotland.org.ukÌýor visitÌý
Addiction
If you seem to be having trouble with your drinking, or if your drinking has reached the point of where it worries you, you may be interested to know something about programme of recovery from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. To find out more, call their national helpline on 0845 7697 555, 24 hours a day or go online to
is Scotland’s free and confidential 24 hour drugs information and advice helpline. They can provide you, and those you know, with advice and information about drugs issues. Contact them on 0800 5875879, 24 hours, 7 days a week, or log onto
is one of the UK's leading drug and alcohol treatment charities. It has services throughout England and Scotland, that help people (and their families) recover from addiction and substance misuse problems. The charity has services for both adults and young people.
Their website allows you to search for a service that best fits your needs in a location near you.
Visit or use their
provides information and support to anyone who is concerned about someone they care about who is misusing drugs. They can provide information on local services including family support groups, or simply listen if you need to talk. Call their free and confidential helpline on 08080 10 10 11, email helpline@sfad.org.uk or visit
The Scottish Recovery Consortium is a small independent charityfunded by the Scottish Government to support the implementation of national drug strategy, ‘The Road to Recovery’. They work with people in recovery, treatment providers, recovery communities and support agencies to build the capacity of the recovery movement on a local and national level. or call 0141 226 1662
(Lothians & Edinburgh Abstinence Programme) offers an alternative choice and opportunity for addicts and alcoholics who want to achieve a substance-free recovery. LEAP is a 3-month residential treatment and rehabilitation programme. For further information, visit or speak with your GP or support worker.
Anxiety & OCD
works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services. Contact them by phone on 08444 755 774 or visit
is a voluntary charity, providing support to sufferers of Panic Attacks, Anxiety Disorders, Phobias and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Contact their help line on 0800 138 8889, 10am to 10pm everyday or visit
is a national charity for people with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and related disorders. OCD Action exists to provide information, advice and support for people with OCD, plus their families, friends, carers and interested professionals. Contact their support and information helpline on 0845 390 6232, or visit
is a service user led charity, independently working with and for almost one million children and adults whose lives are affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
Their vision is one of a society where everyone affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder should receive the most appropriate, and the highest quality standards of care, support and treatment. For more information, visit
Bipolar
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provides information, support and advice for people affected by bipolar disorder and all who care. Contact them by phone on 0141 560 2050, or visitÌý
Depression
work in Scotland to provide information and support services to those affected by the condition. Further information on how Action on Depression can help you can be obtained by visiting or by emailing info@actionondepression.org
is a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. They are there in times of difficulty to provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and information.
If you think you need Breathing Space call 0800 83 85 87 (from 6pm til 2am Monday to Thursday and 24 hours at the weekend), or go online to
A BSL service is also available via the website.
(Pre and Postnatal Depression Advice and Support)
Offers advice and support to individuals and their families across the U.K suffering pre and postnatal illnesses via their website, online community, email support, helpline and support groups.
PANDAS Helpline 9am till 8pm 7 days a week: 0843 28 98 401
Visit or email info@pandasfoundation.org.uk
is a national charity offering support and information for women suffering with post-natal illness. They provide a telephone helpline and information leaflets, as well as a network of volunteers who have themselves been affected.
Helpline: 020 7386 0868 (Monday to Friday 10am to 2pm)
Visit
Family Support / Carers
is a national charity providing help and support in all aspects of family life. They are there for you 24 hours a day, seven days a week through their website and free Family Lives Helpline. Whatever your family role or situation, they can help. Call the Helpline free anytime of the day on 0808 800 2222, or go online to
¹ó³¾¾±±ô²â³¢¾±²Ô±ð’s free confidential helpline gives you the opportunity to talk with confidence to someone who will listen and support you with your worries and concerns. We can listen if you are suffering from stress or anxiety. Our helpline is open 0900 to 1700 Monday to Friday 0808 800 5678 or email us at help@familyline.org.uk
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers in Scotland, a part of Carer’s Trust is a provider of comprehensive support services.
Phone: 0141 221 5066
is a charity set up to support the millions of people who care for an elderly relative, a sick partner or a disabled family member. Carers UK provides support, information and advice about caring and campaigns to make life better for carers.
If you need advice about your caring situation you can call or email.
Advice Line: 0808 808 7777 (10am to 12noon and 2pm to 4pm Wednesday and Thursday)
Email adviceline@carersuk.org or visit
Personality Disorder
is a service user-led organisation supporting all people affected by personality disorder including service users, carers, family and friends and professionals. Visit
Self Harm & Suicide
is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self harm including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self harm, their friends and families and professionals. Visit
If you’re a young person and you’re considering suicide, or you feel depressed or like you’re not coping with life, , provided by the organisation , is a confidential helpline service staffed by trained professionals who can give support, practical advice and information. You can call the helpline on 0800 068 41 41, email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697. Lines are open Monday to Friday from 10am until 5pm and again from 7pm until 10pm, and between 2pm until 5pm at the weekend. PAPYRUS can also offer help and advice if you’re concerned about someone you know.
You’ll also find them online at
, the campaign against living miserably is a charity aimed at preventing male suicide in the UK. For information and support, visit , or call their helpline on 0800 58 58 58 between 5pm and midnight seven days a week. Calls are anonymous, confidential, free from a landline and will not appear on itemised bills.
is available for anyone struggling to cope round the clock, every single day of the year. They provide a safe place to talk where calls are completely confidential. Call 08457 90 90 90 or visit
is a free, confidential phone and web based service for people in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. They are there in times of difficulty to provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and information.
If you think you need Breathing Space call 0800 83 85 87 (from 6pm til 2am Monday to Thursday and 24 hours at the weekend), or go online to . A BSL service is also available via the website.
exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend. Contact them by phone on 0844 561 6855, 9am to 9pm every day, or visit
exists to promote the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. They can be contacted on 0844 477 9400 Mon to Fri 9:30 – 5pm, or visit
Wellbeing
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is a free, confidential helpline for young people under 25 who need help but don't know where to find it. You can contact them by phone, email, text and webchat and they will help you with any problem you may have. Call the helpline free on 0808 808 4994 or log on to
is a digital lifeline for 16 to 25 year-olds. They provide non-judgmental support and information on everything from sex and exam stress to debt and drugs. Go online to where you can also get extra advice and support through written articles, audio and video, talk online to their team of experts, or others on moderated discussion boards.
offers confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. To speak directly with a SupportLine worker in confidence, call 01708 765200. There is also information on their websiteÌý
