Useful Contacts

If you’re feeling low or distressed and need urgent advice and assistance – or someone to talk to – here are five things you can do. Call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 or visit their website at www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk.  Breathing Space is a free, confidential phone and web-based service for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. It provides a safe and supportive space and Breathing Space staff will offer helpful advice and information.

Call the Samaritans on 08457 909090 or visit their website at www.samaritans.org. Visit www.samaritans.org/your-community/samaritans-work-scotland/samaritans-branches-scotland to get normal geographic phone numbers for local Scottish Samaritans branches.  The Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone experiencing distress or at risk of suicide and they operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also call NHS24 on 111 to access the Community Mental Health Team and Crisis Service. NHS24 can put you in touch with Crisis Intervention Teams who work with local teams to ensure that people experiencing difficulties or who are at risk of suicide can access Mental Health Practitioners 24 hours a day, 365 days per year.

If you’re feeling really low and feel there’s a risk you might harm yourself or someone else, please try to speak to someone who can offer support and understanding – this could be a friend, a family member, a mental health professional or a work colleague. On its own, talking can’t solve problems but it’s certainly better than bottling things up and feeling overwhelmed.  Remember the old saying – a trouble shared is a trouble halved. Talking to someone you respect and trust can be a really good first step towards addressing your problems.

Finally, when you feel able, please update your Doctor on how you’re feeling and the difficulties you’ve faced. Your GP should be your first port of call for all mental and physical health issues and if they can’t help you straight away, they should be able to put you in touch with someone who can. If you don’t feel able to discuss your issues with your GP, please think about changing your GP or moving to a GP in a different practice – everyone has a right to good mental health and compassionate understanding from any health professionals they meet.

Feel free to access any of the contacts listed below for general advice and support. They’re arranged thematically (with mental health at the top) and most of the organisations are Scottish, though several UK groups are included as some of their advice may also be relevant in Scotland. If you need advice or help with anything, it’s always good to try your local Citizens Advice Bureau and think about resources in your local area.

Before contacting any organisation, it might be a good idea to jot down a few notes and ideas about what you want to say – this will help you get your points across quickly and clearly. And if you don’t find what you’re looking for first time round, keep trying and don’t be afraid to ask questions – most people will be keen to help and/or pass you on to someone who can.

And if you know of any groups that should be listed here, please tell us at info@voxscotland.org.uk  – we’re always happy to improve our service!

Action on Depression is the only national Scottish organisation working with and for people affected by depression. It’s a user-influenced organisation committed to providing support, raising awareness of depression and treatment options and reducing the stigma surrounding the condition.

t: 0131 226 8152   e: info@actionondepression.org

Anxiety UK  is a national registered charity for those affected by anxiety disorders. It is a user-led organisation, run by sufferers and ex-sufferers of anxiety disorders, supported by a high-profile medical advisory panel. Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding.

t: 08444 775 774 (helpline)   e: support@anxietyuk.org.uk

Bipolar Scotland provides information, support and advice for people affected by bipolar disorder/manic depression and those who care for them. It also promotes self-help throughout Scotland, and informs and educates about the condition.

t: 0141 560 2050   e: info@bipolarscotland.org.uk

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a registered charity which exists to prevent male suicide in the UK. It offers support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via its helpline and website.

t: 0800 58 58 58   e: info@thecalmzone.net

Health in Mind  is a charity which promotes positive mental health and wellbeing in Scotland. It offers a wide range of services including support, respite, befriending, talking therapies and day services.

t: 0131 225 8508   e: contactus@health-in-mind.org.uk

Hearing Voices Network is an organisation for people who hear voices, see visions or have other unusual perceptions. It offers information and support to people who hear voices and those who support them. It tries to raise awareness of voice hearing, visions, tactile sensations and other sensory experiences.

t: 0114 271 8210   e: nhvn@hotmail.co.uk

Mental Health Foundation Scotland focuses on social justice and inequality in mental health, raising awareness of mental health with the public and working in partnership with community organisations, policy makers and researchers. Our programmes link together policy, research evidence and practice.

t: 0131 243 3800 or 0141 572 0125   e: scotland@mhf.org.uk

Mind operates in England and Wales to provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health issues.

t: 020 8519 2122   e: contact@mind.org.uk

Mood Swings is a charity that supports people with mood disorders and their friends and families. It offers free and confidential information, advice and support to people with mood disorders, family, friends and health and social care professionals. It also offers one to one, support groups and workshops at its base in Manchester.

t: 0161 832 3736 (helpline)   e: info@moodswings.org.uk

No Panic provides information and advice for the carers of and people with panic, anxiety, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders and the effects of tranquiliser withdrawal. It can provide treatment and support over the phone so that all sufferers can be helped.

t: 0800 138 8889 (helpline) or 01952 680 460   e: admin@nopanic.org.uk

Penumbra supports adults and young people in Scotland to move towards mental wellbeing. Its vision is of a society where people with mental health problems expect recovery and are accepted, supported and can access resources to fulfill their potential.

t: 0131 475 2380   e: enquiries@penumbra.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness supports people affected by mental illness by challenging attitudes and changing lives. It provides advice to everyone affected by mental health problems and offers helpful information on everything from treatment and care to benefits and employment rights.

t: 0300 5000 927  or 020 7840 3188   e: info@rethink.org

Sane is a UK mental health charity which works to improve the quality of life for everyone affected by mental illness. SANE offers emotional support and information through its helpline, email services and online Support Forum where people can share experiences and feelings.

t: 0207 375 1002 or 0845 767 8000   e: sanemail@sane.org.uk

SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) is one of Scotland’s leading mental health charities. The Association works hard to ensure that people are talking about mental health and does this in four ways (i)community-based services for people with mental health problems (ii) national programmes (iii) policy and campaigning work, and (iv) raising funds to ensure that our work can continue.

t: 0141 530 1000   e: enquire@samh.org.uk

Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) is a non-profit initiative working in Scotland and beyond. SRN’s vision is: A Scotland where mental health recovery is a reality for all. Their aim is to promote and support recovery from mental health problems. They act as a catalyst for change by sharing ideas and practice.

t: 0141 240 7790   e: info@scottishrecovery.net

Support in Mind Scotland works to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of people affected by serious mental illness. This includes those who are family members, carers and supporters. It seeks to support and empower everyone affected by mental illness.

t: 0131 662 4359   e: info@supportinmindscotland.org.uk

SupportLine offers confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post. It works with callers to develop healthy, positive coping strategies, inner feelings of strength and increased self-esteem to encourage recovery and moving forward with life. It also keeps details of counsellors, agencies and support groups throughout the UK.

t: 01708 765200   e: info@supportline.org.uk

Alcoholics Anonymous focuses entirely on the personal recovery and continued sobriety of alcoholics who approach the Fellowship for help. Alcoholics Anonymous doesn’t engage in the fields of alcoholism research, medical or psychiatric treatment or advocacy and the Fellowship has adopted a policy of cooperation but not affiliation’ with other organisations concerned with alcoholism.

t: 0845 769 7555 (helpline)   e: help@alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Alcohol Concern is the leading charity working on alcohol issues in England and Wales. Its goal is to improve people’s lives through reducing the harm caused by alcohol. The organisation’s long-term aim is to change the drinking culture in England and Wales and create a world where people can manage the risks associated with alcohol.

t: 0300 123 1110 (national drink helpline) e: contact@alcoholconcern.org.uk

Gamblers Anonymous Scotland is a fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their gambling problem and help other gamblers do the same.  GA’s main purpose is to carry the message to the compulsive gambler who is still suffering wherever they may be. GA members offer friendship to anyone who wants to try and stop gambling.

t:   0370 050 8881   e: info@gascotland.org

Narcotics Anonymous  is a non-profit fellowship of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. The fellowship consists of recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. There is only one requirement for membership – the desire to stop using. Our program is a set of simply written principles that people can implement in their daily lives.

t: 0300 999 1212 (helpline)   e: meetings@ukna.org

Release is the national centre of expertise on drugs and drugs law. The organisation, founded in 1967, is an independent registered charity. The Release team provides free non-judgmental advice and information to the public and professionals on issues related to drug use and to drug laws. The organisation campaigns directly on issues which impact on our clients.

t: 020 7324 2989   e: ask@release.org.uk

The Ethnic Minorities Law Centre provides free legal advice and representation to individuals from Scotland’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities, as well as training and second-tier advice to Citizens Advice Bureaux and other agencies across Scotland.  It operates out of offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh and has several projects extending its services to individuals living in eleven local authorities across the country.

t: 0141 204 2888 (Glasgow)   0131 229 2038 (Edinburgh)   e: admin@emlc.org.uk (Glasgow)   edinburgh@emlc.org.uk (Edinburgh)

Saheliya is a specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for black and minority ethnic  women and girls (12+). It provides counselling, complementary therapies, practical and emotional support, youth and group work and works to promote mental well-being by combating the effects of discrimination and abuse, reducing the stigma of mental health, and improving access to mainstream services.

t: 0131 556 9302   e: info@saheliya.co.uk

The Scottish Refugee Council is an independent charity helping refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow and across Scotland. It provides asylum support and direct advice services to asylum seekers and refugees. It conducts detailed polciy work to influence policy makers in Scotland and the UK and bring the issues that matter to those seeking refuge in Scotland to the fore. It also supports community organisations working with, or run by, refugees and asylum seekers.

t: 0141 248 9799   e: info@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Carers UK  is the UK’s only national membership charity for carers and is both a support network and a movement for change. It provides advice, information and support on all issues relating to caring and connects carers to end feelings of isolation. Carers UK has a Scottish office in Glasgow and works with local authorities and other organisations to improve services for carers.

t: 0808 8087777 (helpline) or 0141 445 3070 (Scottish office)   e: info@carerscotland.org

Family Lives works to transform the lives of families, supporting parents and making happier relationships, happier families and a stronger society. Its family support workers offer all family members immediate and on-going help on the phone, online or in local communities. It uses its expertise to inform, support and train professionals and campaign for changes to improve family life.

t:  0808 800 2222 (helpine)   e: parentsupport@familylives.org.uk

Highland Community Care Forum aims to improve support, services and recognition for anyone caring for someone in the Highlands. It supports carers to be key partners in the planning and delivery of health and social care and empowers carers to manage their caring role and have a life outside caring.

t: 01463 723560   e: carers@hccf.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness supports people affected by mental illness by challenging attitudes and changing lives. It provides advice to everyone affected by mental health problems (including carers) and offers relevant information on everything from treatment and care to benefits and employment rights.

t: 0300 5000 927  or 020 7840 3188   e: info@rethink.org

ChildLine is the UK’s free, confidential helpline dedicated to children and young people. It is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen and enables a child or young person to contact a trained counsellor for advice and information on any subject – no problem is considered too big or too small. Childline is formally part of the NSPCC.

t: 0800 1111 (helpline)

Get Connected is a free confidential helpline for young people under 25 who need help and don’t know where to turn. The service is available 365 days a year can be contacted via phone, webchat, email, text message or through an online directory (WebHelp 24/7). The service puts children and young people in contact with trained volunteers who can help them explore their issues, access emotional support and information about further specialist help.

t: 0808 808 4994

Get the Lowdown offers confidential advice and information about health related issues and the challenges teenagers face in contemporary society.  All the information featured on the website is provided by Young Scot and the Scottish Government.

t: 0808 802 4444

The National Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) is a charity dedicated to ending child cruelty in the UK. It lobbies the government on issues relating to child welfare and creates public campaigns with the intention of raising awareness of child protection issues. It believes it can make a difference for children by defending their rights, listening to them and making them safe.

t: 0808 800 5000   e: help@nspcc.org.uk

Papyrus exists to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide and equipping young people with the skills to recognize and respond to suicidal behaviour. Papyrus runs a national helpline – including text and email services – staffed by a team of mental health professionals who provide advice to vulnerable young people and to those concerned about young people who may be at risk of suicide.

t: 0800 068 41 41 (helpline) or 01925 572 444   e: admin@papyrus-uk.org

Penumbra supports adults and young people in Scotland to move towards mental wellbeing. Our vision is of a society where people with mental health problems expect recovery and are accepted, supported and can access the resources to fulfill their potential.

t: 0131 475 2380   e:  enquiries@penumbra.org.uk

Talk To Frank is a website and helpline that provides information about drugs and the different options available for help and support.  It provides friendly, confidential advice on drugs to young people and the helpline is open every day, 24 hours a day.

t: 0300 123 6600 (helpline)   e: frank@talktofrank.com

Voice Collective is a London-wide project set up to support children and young people who hear voices, see visions or have other unusual sensory experiences. It works in partnership with young people and youth organisations to improve the quality of information, advice and support available to them.

t: 020 7911 0822   e: info@voicecollective.co.uk

Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. The organisation’s campaigning and policy-influencing work is entirely based on young peoples’ experiences. It provides expert knowledge to professionals, parents and young people through its Parents’ Helpline, online resources, training and development, outreach work and publications.

t: 020 7089 5050 (general enquiries)   or 0808 802 5544 (parent helpline)   e: parents@youngminds.org.uk (for adults worried about a child) or enquiries@youngminds.org.uk (general enquiries)

British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) sets and maintains professional standards within the counselling/psychotherapy sector. It advises schools on how to set up a counselling service, assists the NHS on service provision, works with voluntary agencies and supports independent practitioners. The directory on its website can also help you identify a counsellor or therapist

t: 01455 883300   e: bacp@bacp.co.uk

The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) is a multi-disciplinary interest group for people involved in the practice and theory of behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy. It promotes the development of the theory and practice of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies in all settings in accordance with the Standards of Conduct Performance and Ethics. Its website can also help you locate a CBT therapist

t: 0161 705 4304   e: babcp@babcp.com

Confederation of Scottish Counselling Agencies (COSCA) is Scotland’s professional body for counselling and psychotherapy. It advances and supports all forms of counselling, psychotherapy and the use of counselling skills. It also tries to promote high quality counselling supervision and continuing professional development for everyone delivering counselling services across Scotland. Its website can also help you locate a counsellor or a therapist.

t: 01786 475 140   e: info@cosca.org.uk

If you visit the Mind website you can also access useful general information on talking therapies.

Action for Prisoners’ Families (APF) works for the benefit of prisoners’ and offenders’ families by representing the views of families and those who work with them and by promoting effective work with families. Action for Prisoners’ Families is a membership organisation for prisoners’ and offenders’ families and those who work with them.

t: 020 7553 3083   e: luke.evans@prisonersfamilies.org.uk

The National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (NACRO) is a crime reduction charity, dedicated to reducing crime and reoffending in communities across England and Wales. It designs and delivers programmes that equip people with the skills, advice, attitude and support they need to move their lives on and move away from crime.

t: 020 7840 7200   0800 0181 259 (helpline)   e: helpline@nacro.org.uk

Offenders Families Helpline provides advice and support on all aspects of arrest, going to court and prison.

t: 0808 808 2003 (helpline)   e: info@offendersfamilieshelpline.org

Safeguarding Communities – Reducing Offending (SACRO) is a Scottish community justice organisation which works to create safer and more cohesive communities. Sacro provides a range of services spanning all aspects of the community justice continuum. These range from conflict resolution to prevent disputes escalating, to supporting prisoners on release. Our services help create safe and cohesive communities by reducing conflict and offending.

t: 0131 624 7270   e: info@sacro.org.uk

Victim Support Scotland is the lead voluntary organisation in Scotland helping people affected by crime. It provides emotional support, practical help and essential information to victims, witnesses and others affected by crime. The service is free and confidential and is provided by volunteers through a network of community based victim and youth justice services and court based witness services.

t: 0131 668 4486   e: info@victimsupportsco.org.uk

Rape Crisis Scotland is the national office for the rape crisis movement in Scotland. It supports the work of local centres and helps develop new centres in areas where there are no or few specialist services. It also works with other agencies such as Police Scotland, the Crown Office and health services by providing training and consultancy to improve the response to those who are affected by and who perpetrate sexual violence.

t: 08088 010302 or 0141 331 4180   e: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk   or    info@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Refuge is committed to a world where domestic violence is not tolerated and where women and children can live in safety. It aims to empower women and children to rebuild their lives, free from violence and fear. It provides a range of life-saving and life-changing services and a voice for the voiceless

t: 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)   e: info@refuge.org.uk

Positive Action in Housing is a Scottish charity that works with communities, housing providers, voluntary organisations and faith groups to enable everyone to have an equal chance to live in good quality, affordable homes, free from racial harassment.  We offer advice and support to people from new migrant, refugee and minority ethnic communities. We run a free and impartial casework service for those facing poverty, homelessness, racism or poor housing. We run a Hardship Fund for destitute asylum seekers and their families.

t: 0141 353 2220   e: home@paih.org

Shelter Scotland  is a charity that works to alleviate the distress caused by homelessness and bad housing.  We do this by giving advice, information and advocacy to people in housing need, and by campaigning for political change to end the housing crisis.

t: 0808 800 4444 or 0344 515 2000   e: info@shelter.org.uk

The Scottish Human Rights Commission promotes and protects human rights for everyone in Scotland. It is an independent public body, accountable to the people of Scotland through the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body, and has been working in Scotland since 2008.

t: 0131 240 2989   e: hello@scottishhumanrights.com

Legal Services Agency is a charity and law centre founded in 1989 with offices in Glasgow (central and Royston), Edinburgh and Greenock. It provides advice and representation in all the relevant courts and tribunals in Scotland.

t: 0141 353 3354   e: lsa@btconnect.com

Mind Legal Advice Line provides legal information and general advice on mental health-related law covering mental health, mental capacity, community care human rights and discrimination/equality related to mental health issues.

t: 0300 466 6463   e: legal@mind.org.uk

Money Advice Scotland is the national umbrella organisation which promotes the development of free, independent, impartial, confidential money (debt) advice and financial inclusion. The organisation is a registered charity with clear charitable objectives.

t: 0141 572 0237   e: info@moneyadvicescotland.org.uk

The Money Advice Service was set up by the UK Government to provide free and impartial money advice and to help people manage their money better.

t: 0808 800 0118

National Debtline Scotland provides free advice on debt management. It also provides guides and fact sheets on topics such as bankruptcy, Council Tax recovery, time limits for recovering debts and ways in which creditors can legally enforce debts.

t: 0808 808 4000

StepChange Debt Charity is the UK’s leading debt advice charity, offering impartial debt advice to anyone experiencing financial problems. StepChange provides specialist budgeting advice, help with bankruptcy, assistance with IVAs and professional debt solutions such as free debt management plans.

t: 0800 138 1111

Turn2Us is a free service that helps people in financial need to access welfare benefits, charitable grants and other financial help online, by phone and face to face through its partner organisations. The Turn2Us website helps site visitors to access financial support based on their individual circumstances.

t: 0808 802 2000   e: info@turn2us.org.uk

The Ethnic Minorities Law Centre provides free legal advice and representation to individuals from Scotland’s Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) communities, as well as training and second-tier advice to Citizens Advice Bureaux and other agencies across Scotland.  It operates out of offices in Glasgow and Edinburgh and has several projects extending its services to individuals living in eleven local authorities across the country.

t: 0141 204 2888 (Glasgow)   0131 229 2038 (Edinburgh)   e: admin@emlc.org.uk (Glasgow)   edinburgh@emlc.org.uk (Edinburgh)

Saheliya is a specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for black and minority ethnic  women and girls (12+). It provides counselling, complementary therapies, practical and emotional support, youth and group work and works to promote mental well-being by combating the effects of discrimination and abuse, reducing the stigma of mental health, and improving access to mainstream services.

t: 0131 556 9302   e: info@saheliya.co.uk

The Scottish Refugee Council is an independent charity helping refugees and asylum seekers in Glasgow and across Scotland. It provides asylum support and direct advice services to asylum seekers and refugees. It conducts detailed policy work to influence policy makers in Scotland and the UK and bring the issues that matter to those seeking refuge in Scotland to the fore. It also supports community organisations working with, or run by, refugees and asylum seekers.

t: 0141 248 9799   e: info@scottishrefugeecouncil.org.uk

Highland Senior Citizens Network  is a Highland-wide network of local voices, joined together to represent the 77,000 people of the Highlands who are over 55. We aspire to be independent, well-informed and credible and – above all – to truly empower the voices of senior citizens across the Highlands.

t: 07716 884989         e: hscn@hotmail.co.uk

www.advicenow.org.uk: provides information on the law and your rights.

www.april.org.uk: provides information about medicines and anaesthetics can induce psychiatric adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and withdrawal symptoms.

www.benefitsandwork.co.uk: advice on claiming Employment Support Allowance and other benefits.

www.benzo.org.uk: provides information to people experiencing iatrogenic benzodiazepine tranquilliser addiction

www.bigwhitewall.com: online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other by sharing what’s troubling them

www.bipolar4all.co.uk: provides information and support to anyone affected by bipolar disorder.

www.bipolaraware.co.uk: information and support relating to bipolar disorder.

www.borderlinepersonalitytoday.com: information, advice, forums, chat and support relating to borderline personality disorder.

www.bpdrecovery.com: a site that focuses on recovering from Borderline Personality Disorder using tools that are mainly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) oriented.

www.carerwatch.com: an independent campaigning organisation run by carers for carers.

www.chipmunkapublishing.com: the world’s first mental health publishing website.

www.counselling-directory.org.uk: information on how to find a local counsellor.

www.dailystrength.org: online community support for anxiety, mental health and health- related conditions.

www.dealingwithdepression.co.uk: online forum offering help, advice, tips and links on ways of dealing with depression.

www.haveigotaproblem.com: a free online resource about mental health and addiction issues with advice and documents on depression, anxiety, self-harm, bipolar, eating disorders and coping.

www.healthtalk.org/mental_health: providing access to useful information on depression, psychosis and eating disorders.

www.healthyplace.com: a consumer mental health site, providing information on psychological disorders and psychiatric medications from both a consumer and expert point of view.

www.intervoiceonline.org: the International Hearing Voices Network, providing  information and a forum relating to hearing voices.

www.mind.org.uk/foodandmood: a site explaining how the food we eat affects our emotional wellbeing and mental health. Gives advice on foods to help cope with anxiety, depression and panic attacks and also foods to avoid.

www.mindingyourhead.info: provides information on how to protect your mental and emotional wellbeing, and on the issues that can affect it such as anxiety or depression.

www.mypersonalbest.org.uk: an online community for young people which focuses on promoting well-being and positive self-esteem.

www.mental-health-matters.com: advice and information relating to mental health, anxiety, depression and general anxiety disorder.

www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk: a website aimed at anyone who supports  another person who is experiencing mental illness, including details of local support groups.

www.pendulum.org: online support groups and information for people experiencing bipolar disorder.

www.studentsagainstdepression.org: offers advice, information, guidance and resources to students affected by low mood, depression or suicidal thinking.

www.thesite.org/mental-health: website providing a range of advice and information on issues such as anxiety, bullying, depression and eating disorders.

www.time-to-change.org.uk: an anti-stigma campaign run by the leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.

 

VOX is not responsible for any of the information featured on external websites. If you have any unhelpful experiences using any of the sites listed here, please tell us at info@voxscotland.org.uk so we can take appropriate action. Thank you!