Help in a crisis

Maytree
Maytree is a charity refuge in North London for people in extreme suicidal distress and despair. During a single stay of up to four nights, Maytree offers support and befriending to help people get through a crisis. Maytree accepts self-referrals, as well as referrals from friends, family, professionals, support services and others. Guests come from all over the UK. Maytree can be contacted by phone or email at any time of the day or night.
www.maytree.org.uk/

The mental health charity Mind keeps a list of some of the statutory crisis services in England that accept self-referrals. You can read the list online. Go to the website below and click first on 'Information', then on 'Factsheets'. When you see the list of factsheets, scroll down to 'Crisis services' and then click on 'List of crisis services open to self-referrals'. Services in London are listed by borough; services in the rest of England are listed by county and metropolitan area.
www.mind.org.uk

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgmental support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. You don't have to be suicidal to call. Telephone support is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year, on 08457 90 90 90 in the UK. Support is also available via email at jo@samaritans.org. Callers can also visit a local branch for face-to-face support; click on 'Find your local branch' for details of your nearest branch and opening times.
www.samaritans.org.uk

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Leading mental health charities

Works in Northern Ireland to improve the health and wellbeing of people with mental health needs or learning disabilities, by creating opportunities for them to progress towards independence and employment.
www.actionmentalhealth.org.uk

Mind works in England and Wales to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. For details of more than 200 local Mind associations, many of which offer befriending or advocacy services, click on 'Mind in your area'. The 'Information' section of the website includes downloadable booklets and factsheets on problems, treatments and rights, as well as briefings on legal issues. MindinfoLine is a confidential mental health information service; it can be contacted by letter, phone or email, and calls in languages other than English, as well as from deaf or speech-impaired callers. For details click on 'About Mind', then 'MindinfoLine'.
www.mind.org.uk

Northern Ireland Association for Mental Health
Provides a range of services for those with mental health needs, including housing schemes, day care and advocacy. Click on 'Information' for downloadable factsheets on a range of mental health problems. Click then on 'Useful contacts' for details of support groups and agencies across Northern Ireland. The Association also runs Carecall, which provides counselling, training and consultancy for employers on mental health in the workplace.
www.niamh.co.uk/

Penumbra
Provides a range of person-centred support services for adults and young people in Scotland. Click on 'Adult services' for details of local services. Information about some specific mental health problems can be found in the 'About mental health' and 'Publications' sections. A section of the website is dedicated to 'Young people'.
www.penumbra.org.uk

Rethink, the leading national mental health membership charity, works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life.   We help over 48,000 people each year through our services and support groups and by providing information on mental health problems.  Our website receives almost 300,000 visitors every year.

 Our aim is to make a practical and positive difference by providing hope and empowerment through effective services and support to all those who need us. We believe that people who experience severe mental illness are entitled to be treated with respect and as equal citizens. We actively campaign for change through greater awareness and understanding and we are dedicated to creating a world where prejudice and discrimination are eliminated.

Visit: www.rethink.org

Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health
A charity affiliated to the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London; it works to improve the quality of life for people with severe mental health problems by carrying out research, analysis, training and development to improve practice and influence policy in public services. The website provides access to a range of research publications, policy and good practice guidelines.
www.scmh.org.uk

Works to improve the lives of everyone affected by mental illness. The 'About mental illness' section of the website includes extensive information on mental health problems and different forms of care and treatment. There is also an online 'Discussion group', which you can access from the home page.
www.sane.org.uk

SAMH operates a range of services across Scotland for people with mental health needs; it also strives to influence public policy as it affects people with mental health needs. Its information service can answer general enquiries on mental health, offer free legal advice, and put you in touch with local services and projects; click on 'Information service' for contact details. You can also download booklets and other printed material in the 'Publications' section.
www.samh.org.uk

A mental health development, training and information agency operating across North Wales. Click on 'Directory' to search for agencies anywhere in Wales; you can search for agencies dealing with specific problems or issues by selecting from an extensive drop-down menu.
www.unllais.co.uk

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Other major information sites

BBC Health: Mental health
Part of the BBC’s Lifestyle Health site, these pages include information on emotional health, mental health problems, medication, coping techniques, supporting and caring, hospital care, therapies and what different therapists do, as well as information about your rights under mental health legislation.
www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mentalhealth/

Connects
A worldwide, interactive website run by the Mental Health Foundation, for the sharing of information between people interested in mental health problems and/or learning disabilities. As well as news, the site contains information about organisations, websites and events, listing more than 10,000 resources. The Personal Notice Board provides site users with tailored information on new resources relating to chosen topics whenever they log on. The Connects Conference Centre is an online conference venue for mental health and learning-disability issues.
www.connects.org.uk

The Department of Health’s mental health web pages include information on Government policy and consultation documents, implementation guides, legislation and good practice guidelines relating to mental health in England. There is an online directory of organisations working in the field of mental health (click on 'Mental health directory'). You can also contact the National Director for Mental Health from this site.
www.dh.gov.uk

Information, news and discussion about schizophrenia and related psychoses, dementia, depression and bipolar disorder. Also access to a range of online discussion forums covering coping strategies, treatments and issues for partners, friends and families. Registration (free) is required. The site is endorsed by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Changing Minds Campaign.
www.ementalhealth.com/

This site, created by Canadian psychiatrist Dr Phillip Long, describes itself as a free encyclopaedia of mental health information. For extensive information about specific mental health problems, click on 'Disorders'. You can also find detailed information about 'Medications' used in the treatment of mental health problems and join in online discussion groups.
www.mentalhealth.com

Information website provided by the US National Library of Medicine and the US National Institutes of Health. The 'Health topics' section includes information on mental health problems. Click on 'Drugs & Supplements' for authoritative information about drugs, including medications used in the treatment of mental health problems. The site is updated daily.
http://medlineplus.gov/

Specialist library within the NHS’s National Electronic Library for Health. Its main purpose is to meet the information needs of healthcare professionals who work in the field of mental health. However, much of the content will also be of interest to service-users, survivors and carers. Home page offers links to extensive information about a wide range of mental health problems.
www.library.nhs.uk/mentalhealth

Part of the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Institute’s mission is to diminish the burden of mental illness through research. Click on 'Health information' for information about symptoms, diagnoses and treatment of health problems, including downloadable information sheets, reports and fact sheets.
www.nimh.nih.gov/

National Institute for Mental Health in England (NIMHE)
Sponsored by the Department of Health, NIMHE aims to improve the quality of life for people who experience mental distress by providing all those who work in the field with a single gateway to information, learning and development, and opportunities to share experiences.
http://nimhe.csip.org.uk/

National Primary and Care Trust Development Programme
The link below takes you to a PDF of The Commissioning Friend for Mental Health Services: a Resource Guide for Health and Social Care Commissioners. This is part of a series developed by the National Primary and Care Trust Development Programme (NatPACT). It contains input from NIMHE and advice for Primary Care Trusts and local authorities on how to use commissioning activities to improve mental health in local communities.
www.natpact.nhs.uk/uploads/2005_Jan/MH_Screen_Version.pdf

A confidential 24-hour telephone advice and information service staffed by nurses. People in England and Wales can call on 0845 4647. As well as information on health problems and NHS services, callers can get details of self-help and support organisations. The NHS Direct website includes an online 'Health encyclopaedia' of conditions, including mental health problems, as well as information on 'Best treatments'. You can also use the 'search' facility to find information on specific mental health problems. Visitors to the NHS Direct Wales website should click on 'Health information' and then 'Mental health'.
England: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
Wales: www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/

This is a confidential 24-hour nurse advice and health information telephone service for Scotland, similar to NHS Direct in England and Wales; call 08454 242424. The website offers access to an online 'NHS encyclopaedia' which lists health problems alphabetically.
www.nhs24.com

Office of the Public Guardian
The Public Guardianship Office is the administrative arm of the Court of Protection and part of the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA). It provides services that protect the financial wellbeing of people with mental incapacity and their families. Based in north London, its responsibilities extend across England and Wales (separate arrangements exist in Scotland and Northern Ireland).
www.guardianship.gov.uk

Aims to raise awareness that people can and do recover from long-term and serious mental health problems. Highlights and supports examples of good practice. The network comprises organisations and individuals who share an interest in efforts to promote recovery, including people with experience of long-term mental health problems, their families and carers.
www.scottishrecovery.net

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Specific mental health problems

Bipolar Organisation
A service-user-led charity (formerly the Manic Depression Fellowship) working to enable people whose lives are affected by bipolar disorder/manic depression to take control of their lives. Click on 'Bipolar' for information about bipolar disorder, including diagnosis, treatment and NHS services. Members' services include self-help groups, self-management training and a 24-hour legal advice line for employment, legal, benefits and debt issues.
www.mdf.org.uk/

Borderline
A service-user-led network of people who meet the criteria for, or who have been diagnosed with, borderline personality disorder. The site provides information on causes, diagnosis, medication, therapy and how to get help. Click on 'Services' to find out how to join one of Borderline UK's Yahoo net-based support groups.
www.borderlineuk.co.uk

A free confidential phoneline in Scotland for anyone experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried. Targets specifically (but not exclusively) young men experiencing difficulties and unhappiness. Call 0808 83 85 87 between 6pm and 2am. Website provides information and advice about moods and problems (click on 'Your mood' or 'Your problems'); a 'Self-help Toolkit' discusses how to get help.
www.breathingspacescotland.co.uk

Voluntary organisation that supports women in emotional distress, particularly women who self-injure or harm themselves. Runs a national confidential helpline at weekends (click on 'Helpline' for details); also runs and supports self-help groups.
www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bcsw/

The Calm Zone
Targeted at young men aged between 15 and 35 who may be depressed or find it hard to talk about their problems. The campaign offers help, information and advice via a phone and web service. It encourages young men to 'open up' and sort out their problems rather than try to deal with them alone. Launched in 1997, the campaign has operated as a regional service in Manchester and Merseyside, but is due to launch as a national charity in 2006. Website includes details of Calm's free confidential helpline, which is open every day of the year.
www.thecalmzone.net/

A charity for people affected by depression. It organises self-help support groups in England, Wales and Scotland, an internet email group, and a pen-friend scheme. The website has information about the symptoms of depression and treatments, and downloadable publications.
www.depressionalliance.org

A sister organisation of Depression Alliance, this website is due to be launched during National Depression Week (17-24 April) 2006.
www.depressionalliancescotland.org

A charity for people affected by eating disorders, the website contains extensive information for sufferers, parents and carers. For details of the charity’s helplines for adults and young people, its text-phone services, and its Youthline TEXT service, click on 'Looking for support or treatment?' and then 'EDA telephone helplines'. The 'Self help network' section has details of local support groups.
www.edauk.com/

Part of the Institute of Psychiatry at the University of London. The website describes the unit's research programme and has information about clinical issues and the treatment of eating disorders. It also has information for service-users, carers and families.
www.iop.kcl.ac.uk/iop/Departments/PsychMed/EDU/index.shtml

Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous
Small UK self-help charity for people who suffer from depression. The charity has about 600 members and is run entirely by volunteers. Runs pen-friend and phone-friend schemes, and operates a telephone information line.
www.depressionanon.co.uk/

First Steps to Freedom
Charity offering practical help to people who suffer from phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, general anxiety, panic attacks, anorexia, bulimia, as well as those wishing to come off tranquillisers. Runs a confidential helpline between 10am and 10pm every day, and a panic advice line between 10pm and 10am; also one-to-one telephone counselling and befriending, and telephone self-help groups. Also offers support to carers of those with borderline personality disorder.
www.first-steps.org

Hearing Voices Network
Network providing information, support and understanding to people who hear voices, see visions and have tactile sensations, as well as those who support them. Supports self-help groups and runs a Hearing Voices confidential helpline on 0845 122 8642.
www.hearing-voices.org

Lifesigns
A voluntary organisation that raises awareness about self-injury in the UK. It publishes an awareness booklet for people who self-harm and those who care for them, as well as a newlsetter. The website has an online message board.
www.lifesigns.org.uk

A charity that aims to help those affected by schizophrenia and other forms of serious mental distress, including carers and family members. Provides a range of services in Yorkshire and the north-west of England, including befriending, day care, family support and self-help groups; click on 'Services' for details. A series of downloadable information leaflets can be found under 'Information'.
www.makingspace.co.uk/

Voluntary organisation that provides survivors of torture living in the UK with medical treatment, practical assistance and psychotherapy support. Also works to ensure that Britain honours its international obligations towards survivors of torture, asylum seekers and refugees. Details of support services, including counselling, group therapy, family therapy and welfare advocacy, can be found by clicking on 'About' and then 'Our services'.
www.torturecare.org.uk

US organisation created in 1989 in response to a Congressional mandate to address the needs of veterans with military-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, the website also includes extensive information and research findings about PTSD in the community more generally.
www.ncptsd.va.gov

A survivor-led charity that provides support to people who self-harm and people indirectly affected by self-harm, such as families and friends. It is committed to campaigning for the rights and understanding of people who self-harm. You can access its online forum from the home page.
www.nshn.co.uk/

National Phobics Society
Charity supporting people who have anxiety or phobias. The charity is run by sufferers and ex-sufferers. It provides a members-only advice, information and support helpline during the week. Details of services, including online bulletin boards and chatrooms, can be found under 'Member services'. Under 'Treatment and help' you will find contact details for self-help groups across the UK.
www.phobics-society.org.uk

No Panic
Charity that supports people suffering from panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorders and other related anxiety disorders, including tranquilliser withdrawal. It runs a confidential freephone helpline between 10am and 10pm every day on 0808 808 0545 (and a night-time anxiety crisis line answer-phone service). Other services include telephone recovery groups.
http://nopanic.org.uk/

London-based organisation offering support and services for people living with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), and for their carers, families and friends. Publishes information sheets and audio guides to help people with OCD; other services include day workshops, telephone workshops, one-to-one therapy sessions, telephone therapy courses, and a nutrition programme. For details, click on 'People with OCD', next click on 'About our services', then click on 'Services'.
www.ocdcentre.com/

Founded by parents who have lost a son or daughter to suicide, PAPYRUS is a voluntary organisation committed to the prevention of suicide by focusing on the emotional wellbeing of children, teenagers and young adults. The website provides advice and support for young people, their parents and friends. HOPELineUK is a PAPYRUS telephone service offering support, information and practical advice to anyone concerned that a young person they know may be at risk of suicide; call 0870 170 4000 (7-10pm weekdays; 2-5pm weekends).
www.papyrus-uk.org

Students Against Depression
Website offering information about depression, including how depression works, how to tackle it and how to get outside help. The site has been developed with the help of students who have been affected by low mood, depression or suicidal thinking and have found ways to tackle those feelings or overcome them. Many of their personal stories can be read on site.
www.studentdepression.org/

Voluntary organisation providing advice, information and support to people who suffer from stress, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks or obsessive compulsive disorder. Stresswatch runs a helpline and a telephone recovery group, and gives help and advice on setting up self-help groups in Scotland.
www.stresswatchscotland.org/

UK Trauma Group
The UK Trauma Group is a network of UK traumatic stress clinical services. However, the home page contains links to some useful information leaflets and web pages about post-traumatic stress disorder.
www.uktrauma.org.uk

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Dementia

Alzheimer’s Society
A care and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers. Provides information and education, support for carers, runs quality day and home care, and funds research. The website has contact details for local groups in England, Wales and Northern Ireland (click on 'Your local branch'). A confidential telephone helpline is open on weekdays on 0845 300 0336; it can also be contacted by email or letter.
www.alzheimers.org.uk

Charity that helps people with dementia, their carers and families. Services include a 24-hour freephone Dementia Helpline on 0808 808 3000, and a range of local services around Scotland. For details of local services, click on 'About us' and then 'Where we are'.
www.alzscot.org

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Brain injuries

Leading charity providing support services for disabled people in the UK, including specialist rehabilitation services for people with acquired brain injuries. (Click on 'UK services', then on 'Acquired brain injury services'.)
www.leonard-cheshire.org

Part of the Rehab Group (like Rehab UK), Momentum pioneered the UK’s first specialist service to help people with traumatic brain injury return to work. Services include community-integration programmes to help people take the first steps towards living independently following a brain injury, and specialised individual care services. Also operates a range of mental health services across Scotland.
www.momentumscotland.org/

Provides assessment, training and development programmes enabling people with disabilities to break into the workforce. Its main focus is the development of a network of innovative brain injury centres, which enable people who have sustained a brain injury to retain their jobs or retrain for new employment.
www.rehabuk.org/uk/

A not-for-profit coalition of organisations and individuals that seeks to promote greater understanding of all aspects of acquired brain injury (ABI), and to provide information and expertise to policy makers and service providers. UKABIF maintains an online 'Directory of rehabilitation services' and provides the secretariat for the All Party Parliamentary Group on ABI at Westminster.
www.ukabif.org.uk

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Black and minority-ethnic organisations

Charity dedicated to serving the Chinese community in the UK. Provides a range of local, regional and national services for Chinese people who suffer from mental health problems and their carers. Services include advocacy, a service-user group, carer support, counselling, housing advice and an interpretation service. Services cover all age groups. The Wah Sum helpline on 0845 122 8660 (weekdays 10am-8pm) is the first mental health helpline dedicated to serving the Chinese community across the UK. Website is in English and Chinese.
www.cmha.org.uk/

National body working to support the development of South Asian voluntary organisations by providing support services, advice and consultancy. Also runs the Vishvas South Asian Counselling and Resource Centre, a culturally sensitive and accessible mental health service offering information, support and counselling in different Asian languages to the South Asian community. Click on 'Mental health' on the home page for more information.
www.cio.org.uk/

Network set up by the mental health charity Mind to make mental health services more responsive to the needs of people from black and minority-ethnic communities. For more information, click on 'Magazine', 'Contact', 'Join us', or 'Policy' on the right-hand side of the page.
www.mind.org.uk/About+Mind/Networks/Diverse+Minds/

London-based Jewish charity set up by parents, relatives and friends of those suffering from mental distress. It is committed to providing help to those with mental health needs, their carers and families, by providing care and support that embodies the culture and values of Jewish society. Provides day care, social work, advice, information and social activities from JAMI House in Golders Green; also runs an outreach programme.
www.jamiuk.org.uk/

Jewish Care
A health and social care charity for the Jewish community, providing community resources in London and the south-east of England. Click on 'Our services' and then 'Mental health services' for details, including day centres, residential care, carers support groups and employment projects. You can also call Jewish Care direct on 020 8922 2222 for information about services.
www.jewishcare.org/

Voluntary organisation based in East London, providing refuge accommodation and related support services, including mental health support, advice, counselling, support groups, youth projects and research and development initiatives. The home page also offers access to a national directory of support services for young Asian women; click on 'NAWP directory'.
www.nawp.org/

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Children and young people

Website from Leeds University designed to help students understand what mental health is and what they can do if they have mental health difficulties. Click on 'Help with common problems' for information about some mental health problems. The 'Workbooks' section includes some downloadable practical advice.
www.leeds.ac.uk/ahead4health/

Free 24-hour confidential telephone helpline for children and young people in the UK, who can call 0800 1111 about any problem. Textphone service available on 0800 400 222 for children who are deaf. ChildLine also runs a separate line (0800 884444) for children living away from home, such as in a children's home, foster home, at boarding school or in hospital. Calls to ChildLine don't show up on telephone bills. The 'Help and advice' section of the website has downloadable information sheets and leaflets.
www.childline.org.uk

The Eating Disorders Association’s main website has an extensive section dedicated to 'young people', with information about eating disorders and how to get help for yourself or a friend. It also includes details of how to contact the charity’s Youthline (0845 634 7650), a confidential support and information service for young people in the UK. You can also contact the Youth Team by email or text.
www.edauk.com/young_home.htm

National Nightline is the collective name for all local UK and Irish student welfare telephone helplines. Helplines are run by student volunteers, who provide an understanding ear for fellow students with problems and help them to find solutions. The main purpose is to give students time and space to talk through whatever is on their mind, no matter what the problem may be. You can find links to the websites of local helplines by clicking on 'Local Nightlines'; some offer drop-in or email support.
www.nightline.ac.uk

Originally a three-year project that ended in March 2003, the Network is continuing so that those with an interest in student mental health can share knowledge and experience. The Network cannot offer direct support to students experiencing emotional distress, but the 'Students' section of the website has a link to local and national resources for students, as well as information about 'Your rights and legislation'.
www.brookes.ac.uk/student/services/osmhn/

Voluntary organisation working to prevent young suicide. The site offers advice and information for young people who may be feeling suicidal. It also has links to other organisations that can offer help (click on 'Useful links').
www.papyrus-uk.org

Scottish voluntary organisation that provides mental health support services for young people (and adults). Click on 'Prevention and self harm' for details of local self-harm projects for young people, and on 'Support and intervention' for details of other local community projects for young people. Under 'Further info' you will find some leaflets that you can download.
www.penumbra.org.uk/young_people/index.htm

Website set up by the Heads of University Counselling Services. The 'Guide to problems and solutions' section includes information about mental health issues. Click on 'How to find your university counselling service' or 'Links to counselling services' to find your local source of help.
www.student.counselling.co.uk

Students Against Depression
Website offering information about depression. The site has been developed with the help of students who have been affected by low mood, depression or suicidal thinking and have found ways to tackle those feelings or overcome them. Many of their personal stories can be read on site.
www.studentdepression.org/

Troubled Teens

Site dedicated to providing parents with the best articles and advice on dealing with their problem teenagers. The section on mental health problems addresses conditions that can occur during adolescence. Click on 'Mental health problems' from the home page.
www.troubledteensinfo.com/

A national charity committed to improving the mental health of all children and young people. Its Parents Information Service (0800 018 2138) is a free and confidential advice and information telephone helpline for adults concerned about the mental health of a child or young person. Click on 'Info centre' for written information about mental health issues, for adults and young people.
www.youngminds.org.uk

Online information resource run by the National Children's Bureau for young people who self-harm, their friends and families, and professionals working with them. Home page provides links to background information on self-harm and young people, how to get help, and local organisations and other services.
www.selfharm.org.uk/

A helpline service run by young people for young people under 19 who are worried, confused or just need to talk. Trained volunteers can be contacted by telephone, email or on-line chat. The website has a 'Library' where you can read young people’s anonymous problems (all the young people concerned have agreed to their message being posted on the site), plus Youth2Youth’s replies.
www.youth2youth.co.uk

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Women and mental health

The helpline aims to provide any Muslim girl or woman in a crisis with a free confidential listening service and referral to Islamic consultants, plus practical help and information where required.
www.mwhl.org/

Voluntary organisation based in East London, providing refuge accommodation and related support services, including mental health support, advice, counselling, support groups, youth projects, and research and development initiatives. The home page also offers access to a national directory of support services for young Asian women; click on 'NAWP directory'.
www.nawp.org/

Brighton-based women's organisation that aims to promote better mental health services for women. Threshold runs a national information line to answer enquiries on all aspects of women's mental health from women who use services, as well as their carers and families, and professionals; you can find details in the 'Threshold services' section (click on 'Infoline'). All calls are answered by women.
http://www.bht.org.uk/index.php?dir=services/mental%20health/threshold

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Older people

Care Homes Guide Ltd provides an in-depth search facility for all types of retirement, residential and nursing homes.
www.carehomesguide.com

Housing Care

A website for older people and all who provide housing, care or support to them. It offers advice and information about all forms of accommodation for older people, including how to maintain, adapt or improve your own home; how to find care or home help services; and how to move to retirement or extra care housing, or to a care home. The website is a partnership venture, led by the charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel.
www.housingcare.org/

Mental Health in Later Life
A website run by the Mental Health Foundation. The home page provides access to information for older people, their families and friends, and professionals; information is grouped under broad categories such as 'Depression', 'Having good mental health', and 'Dementia'. Click on 'Links' at the foot of the page for a list of other websites for older people.
www.mhilli.org/

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Carers

National charity providing support to all carers. Website has sections for all four countries in the UK. Click on 'Help in your area' for details of organisations offering local support. For information about benefits and other entitlements, including respite care, look under 'Information'. There is also a discussion forum for carers; click on 'Forums' from the home page.
www.carersuk.org

Charity that provides carers in England and Wales with breaks from their caring responsibilities. Practical support is provided where it is most needed, usually in the home; a trained carer support worker takes over from the carer, allowing carers some time to themselves. Find your nearest scheme by clicking on 'Scheme finder' from the home page.
www.crossroads.org.uk

There are 49 Crossroads schemes in Scotland providing carers with a break from their caring responsibilities. Click on 'Services' to find your local service. Crossroads (Scotland) also runs a Carers Information and Support Line on 0141 353 6504.
www.crossroads-scotland.co.uk

Website provided by the Institute of Psychiatry and South London and Maudsley NHS Trust, in partnership with Rethink, for anyone providing support to someone experiencing mental illness. It includes information about mental health and mental illness, research findings, and personal stories written by carers. Click on 'Local carer support groups' for details of support groups across Great Britain.
www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk

Princess Royal Trust for Carers
A charity that aims to make it easier for carers to cope by providing information, support and practical help. From the home page, you can search for a Carers Centre anywhere in the UK. The 'Help for carers' section includes information about respite care, taking a holiday, benefits, employment, and a series of downloadable mental health factsheets. The website also hosts some online forums for carers; click on 'Carers community' from the home page.
www.carers.org

Rethink Carers
Website run by mental health charity Rethink for carers of people with mental health problems. Home page provides links to discussion forums, other carers' experiences, and a wide range of practical information and resources. Click on 'Rethink groups' for contact details of 130 local carer support groups in England.
www.rethinkcarers.org/

A network run by Together for professionals and volunteers who work with mental health carers. It aims to identify and share good practice, and connect people. Under 'Carers services', you will find information on the health and social care system, medication and treatments, carers assessments, respite, finance, rights and legislation.
www.scbnetwork.org

Website for young carers, run by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers. Hosts a chat room and runs online discussion boards, and has access to online agony aunts. Click on 'I care for someone who. . .' and then on 'Mental health' for information about mental health problems. Click on 'Who can help me?' for ideas on who you can turn to for help and support.
www.youngcarers.net/

A Children's Society initiative offering information and training for people working with young carers and their families. Website also has information and advice for young carers and their families. From the home page, click on 'Information for young carers' for advice on health, school, being heard, and links to young carers projects around the county.
www.youngcarer.com/

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Mental health support for faith communities

Umbrella organisation providing standards for Christian counselling and care, and a nationwide system for the accreditation of Christian counsellors which is broadly acceptable to Christian churches and counselling organisations. To find a counsellor near you anywhere in Britain, click on 'Find a counsellor' from the home page.
www.acc-uk.org

A Christian-based voluntary association of individual members and affiliated groups who recognise the importance of spiritual values and support in mental health. Aims to encourage local initiatives within faith communities to support those who use mental health services.
www.pastoral.org.uk/

London-based Jewish charity set up by parents, relatives and friends of those suffering from mental distress. It is committed to providing help to those with mental health problems, their carers and families, by providing care and support that embodies the culture and values of Jewish society. Provides day care, social work, advice, information and social activities from JAMI House in Golders Green; also runs an outreach programme.
www.jamiuk.org/

Jewish Care
A health and social care charity for the Jewish community, providing community resources in London and the south-east of England. Click on 'Our services' and then 'Mental health services' for details of services, including daycentres, residential care, carers support groups, and employment projects. You can also call Jewish Care direct on 020 8922 2222 for information about services.
www.jewishcare.org/

The helpline aims to provide any Muslim girl or woman in a crisis with a free confidential listening service and referral to Islamic consultants, plus practical help and information where required.
www.mwhl.org/

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Housing and accommodation

Carr-Gomm Society
A registered social landlord and charity offering a range of housing and other support services across England. Many people who use the charity’s services have a mental health problem. Carr-Gomm accepts referrals from social services, local authorities, housing agencies and individuals themselves. You can find out about services in your area by clicking on 'Locations'; click on 'Our services' for information on 'Types of service' and 'How to apply for support'.
www.carr-gomm.org.uk/

HousingCare.org
A website offering information about all forms of accommodation for older people, including how to maintain, adapt or improve your own home; how to find care or home help services; and how to move to retirement or extra care housing, or to a care home. Use its 'Finder services' (click first on 'For individuals') to match your needs with an agency in the UK. The website is a partnership venture, led by the charity Elderly Accommodation Counsel.
www.housingcare.org/

Leading charity providing support services for disabled people in the UK, including residential and nursing accommodation, home care, day services and respite care. Services include some care at home provision for people with mental health needs and rehabilitation services for people with acquired brain injuries.
www.leonard-cheshire.org

The Registered Nursing Homes Association, which has more than 1,300 member nursing homes across the UK, campaigns for high standards in nursing-home care. The website includes an online homes directory (click on 'Directory') to help you to find the right nursing home to meet your needs and circumstances.
www.rnha.co.uk/

Provides care and rehabilitation for people with mental health needs in England. Click on 'Services' for details of local services, including nursing homes, supported housing, daycentres and outreach services. Click on 'RF employment and training' for information about services providing rehabilitation, training, work experience, and support into employment.
www.richmondfellowship.org.uk

St Mungo’s
A homelessness agency and housing association offering support to vulnerable men and women through more than 70 housing projects in the London area, including some specialist hostels for people with mental health or alcohol problems. The website’s 'If you are homeless' section has advice on who to contact if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
www.mungos.org/

A social-care organisation working with individuals and their communities across England and Wales in the areas of drug and alcohol misuse, mental health and learning disabilities. The charity has particular expertise in working with people with complex needs. Use the 'Find a service' facility on the home page to look for accommodation services for people with mental health needs.
www.turning-point.co.uk

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Therapeutic housing and communities

Charity set up by professionals to promote a therapeutic community way of working. The website includes an online directory of therapeutic communities across the UK (click on 'Directory of ATC/Member TCs'). From the home page, click on 'TC FAQs' for information on how therapeutic communities work; 'Seeking a place in a therapeutic community' explains what to do if you think a community might be right for you.
www.therapeuticcommunities.org

Community Housing and Therapy
Runs therapeutic communities in London and the south-east of England for people with mental health needs. People referred typically have schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder or an eating disorder. Others are referred because of substance misuse. Communities provide group psychotherapy and counselling, also employment training and practical help.
www.designdevil.net/hosting/cht/index2.htm

Philadelphia Association
Charity that runs three therapeutic community households in north and west London. Click on 'Community houses' for more information and contact details. The association also has a limited number of low-cost therapy spaces available with psychotherapists who are training; click on ‘Therapy’ for more details.
www.philadelphia-association.co.uk

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Making a complaint

The GMC is the regulator of the medical profession. Its purpose is to protect and promote the health and safety of the community by ensuring proper standards in the practice of medicine. It has the powers to act against problem doctors, including psychiatrists. It can issue a warning to a doctor, remove a doctor from the register, and suspend or place conditions on a doctor's registration. From the home page, click first on 'Concerns about doctors', then on 'How to complain'.
www.gmc-uk.org/

Local Government Ombudsmen investigate complaints of injustice arising from maladministration by local authorities and certain other bodies. They investigate complaints about most council matters, including housing and social services. You can download a leaflet from the ‘How to complain’ section of the site which explains what you need to do; the leaflet is available in a number of languages.
www.lgo.org.uk

A body established by law to keep under review the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983, as it relates to patients who are detained or liable to be detained. It has 100 members (or 'Commissioners') who include lay people, lawyers, doctors, social workers and other specialists. Local commissioners visit people detained under the Act and investigate complaints. Click on 'Information leaflets' for patients' leaflets on how to complain and related issues.
www.mhac.org.uk/

Independent body whose work is mostly concerned with safeguarding the rights and welfare of people being cared for under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, or the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Runs a user and carer advice line on 0800 389 6809 (weekdays only).
www.mwcscot.org.uk/

For an explanation of the NHS complaints procedure, click first on 'About the NHS' from the home page, and then on 'How to complain/compliment'.
www.nhs.uk/

Deals with complaints from people who believe they have suffered injustice as a result of maladministration by government departments and public bodies in Northern Ireland, including local councils, health and social services boards, and social services trusts. The Ombudsman is also able to investigate complaints about the exercise of clinical judgement by healthcare professionals.
www.ni-ombudsman.org.uk

The role of the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales is to investigate complaints from members of the public about the way they have been treated by a public body. You can complain about local government, NHS organisations (including GPs), and the National Assembly for Wales. The Ombudsman considers complaints about matters such as social services, housing and health services. Click on 'How to complain' for more information.
www.ombudsman-wales.org

Provides a one-stop-shop for members of the public making a complaint about any public service in Scotland, including NHS trusts, health boards, family health service providers, local authorities and any person discharging the functions of a local authority. The Ombudsman can consider complaints about administrative failure, failure to provide a service, and failure in a service provided.
www.scottishombudsman.org.uk/

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
The UKCP promotes and maintains the profession of psychotherapy, and high standards in the practice of psychotherapy, for the benefit of the public. Click on 'Complaints' for an explanation of what you should do if you want to make a complaint against a psychotherapist.
www.psychotherapy.org.uk

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Professional bodies

Professional group for people involved in the practice and theory of behavioural and cognitive psychotherapy. To search for an accredited therapist, click on 'Find a therapist'. Click on 'Publications' for access to a range of leaflets, including 'Understanding behavioural and cognitive psychotherapies', as well as leaflets on specific mental health problems. Or click on 'General public' for a short explanation of cognitive behavioural therapy.
www.babcp.com

Professional body and leading voice for counselling and psychotherapy in the UK. Sets nationally recognised standards in accreditation and self-regulation. To search for a therapist anywhere in the UK, click on 'Find a therapist'. Click on 'Information and links' for information about ethical standards and what to expect from therapy. BACP also hosts individual websites for some of its members; click on 'Therapy websites' and do a search on your home town to see if any therapists in your area have their own site.
www.bacp.co.uk/

British Association of Pyschotherapists

Professional association of therapists specialising in individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy for adults, adolescents and children. Under 'Help for people seeking psychotherapy', you can find an explanation of what psychoanalytic psychotherapy is, information about how to find a psychotherapist and details of the BAP’s reduced-fee scheme. 
www.bap-psychotherapy.org

The representative body for psychologists and psychology in the UK. Click on 'Find a psychologist' to access a directory of psychologists working in the UK; you can also check that a named person is a registered chartered psychologist. Details about complaints procedures are also in this section. From the home page, click on 'The public' for information about psychology and the different types of psychologist.
www.bps.org.uk/

Charity and advisory body affiliated to the Association of Professional Music Therapists. Acts as an information centre for music therapy services, training and research. Click on ‘What is MT?’ for information about music therapy and how to get hold of the leaflet How can music therapy help adults with mental health problems? Then click on 'Finding a MT' for advice on finding a music therapist in your area.
www.bsmt.org

The Royal College of Psychiatrists

The professional and educational body for psychiatrists in the UK and the Republic of Ireland. From the home page, click on 'Mental health info' for a wide range of information on specific mental health problems, information about different therapies and treatments, and an explanation of how to see a psychiatrist.
www.rcpsych.ac.uk

United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy
Promotes and maintains the profession of psychotherapy, and high standards in the practice of psychotherapy, for the benefit of the public. Click on 'Frequently asked questions' for an explanation of psychotherapy, and how it differs from counselling, psychology and psychiatry. Click on 'Find a therapist' to find a psychotherapist in your area.
www.psychotherapy.org.uk

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Complementary therapies

For information about music therapy, how and who it can help, and how to contact a music therapist, click on 'Music Therapy?' from the home page.
www.apmt.org/

The best way to use this site is to click first on 'Site navigation page' from the home page. This way you can most easily see what the site has to offer. Click on 'Therapies list' to find descriptions of a range of listed complementary therapies. Under 'BCMA member associations', you will find contact details for member organisations offering a wide range of complementary therapies.
www.bcma.co.uk

From the home page, click on any one of a list of complementary therapies for more information about what a particular therapy can offer. Click on 'Directories' to search for local practitioners.
www.chisuk.org.uk

Charity providing information on complementary medicine. Click on 'What is complementary medicine?' for short descriptions of a wide range of complementary therapies. The ICM also administers the British Register of Complementary Practitioners; the home page provides a link to finding a BRCP-registered practitioner in your area.
www.i-c-m.org.uk/

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Grants, benefits and financial advice

Adviceguide is an online service from Citizens Advice Bureaux, providing information on a wide range of topics, including benefits, housing, employment and debt, consumer and legal issues. The website is published in English and Welsh, and covers the law in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Frequently asked questions in each topic section are also available in Chinese, Bengali, Gujerati, Punjabi, and Urdu.
www.adviceguide.org.uk 

A mostly subscription-only site, set up by a former welfare rights officer. It gives information about your legal rights, disability living allowance, incapacity benefit and other benefit claims. Updates on benefits are available to members.
www.benefitsandwork.co.uk

Citizens Advice Bureaux provide free, confidential and independent advice from more than 3,000 locations throughout the UK, helping people to resolve debt, benefits, housing, legal and other problems. Advice is available face-to-face and by telephone. Most bureaux offer home visits and some also provide an email service. Click on 'Find your local CAB' to find your nearest bureau.
www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Government site that contains information about benefits. Click on 'Services and benefits' for an online A–Z of benefits. Click on 'Disabled people and carers' for information about benefits and services for people who are sick or have a disability.
www.dwp.gov.uk

Elizabeth Finn Care
A national charity that helps people in need whose former careers have been interrupted or ended through physical or mental problems. Provides financial information, grants and support. For more information, click on 'Getting help from EFC' on the home page.
www.elizabethfinncare.org.uk

Information about direct payments on a site pioneered by Enable Payroll, an employment advisory support and payroll service for service-users. It contains advice about direct payments and funding from the Independent Living Fund for people to employ their own personal assistants or carers.
www.enabletogether.co.uk

Fresh Finance
A commerical insurance, pension and mortgage company that provides specialist advice and packages for survivors of mental health and medical conditions who might face rejection under other lenders' criteria.
www.fresh-finance.co.uk

Independent Review Service
The Social Fund scheme provides grants and interest-free loans to help people on a low income with costs that are difficult to meet from regular income: people leaving institutional care, or who need help to stay in their own home, may be able to get a community care grant from the Social Fund. The Independent Review Service is an independent statutory body based in Birmingham that carries out reviews of discretionary Social Fund decisions. You can download publications from the website.
www.irs-review.org.uk

A charity providing last-stop support and care to people anywhere in the UK who have a mental health problem of any kind; also supports victims of aggression and domestic violence. Grants are only given when all other avenues of funding are exhausted. Applications for support must be submitted by a healthcare or social worker on behalf of the person in need. Grants are made for a specific purpose and costed need.
www.matthewtrust.org

A not-for-profit organisation delivering a job-broking service within the New Deal for Disabled People Scheme in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Norfolk, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Ayrshire, Dumfries, Lanarkshire, Grampian and Tayside. It also helps clients with CV preparation and benefits advice.
www.yes2work.org.uk

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Advocacy

Action for Advocacy
A resource and support agency for independent advocacy schemes. The website has contact details for advocacy schemes in London, including those for people with mental health problems. Click on 'Search for advocacy' to find local schemes in England and Wales (select 'People with mental health issues' where asked to choose client group).
http://advocacy.promku.com/

UK Advocacy Network (UKAN)
A federation of independent mental health advocacy projects, support groups and service-user forums across all four countries of the UK. Can provide details of local mental health advocacy services. Website currently under development; telephone 0114 272 8171.
www.u-kan.co.uk

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Service-user groups and survivor networks

Anti Psychiatry Coalition

North American not-for-profit group comprising people who feel they have been harmed by psychiatry. Website contains numerous critiques of psychiatry from a broad range of contributors, and links to other antipsychiatry groups and websites around the world.
www.antipsychiatry.org

Borderline UK
A service-user-led network of people who meet the criteria for, or who have been diagnosed with, borderline personality disorder. Click on 'Services' to find out how to join one of Borderline UK's Yahoo net-based suppot groups.
www.borderlineuk.co.uk

Critical Psychiatry Network

Network founded by a group of psychiatrists in Bradford that challenges the dominance of clinical neuroscience in psychiatry and is sceptical about the claims for the role of psychotropic drugs in the treatment of psychiatric conditions. The Network attaches more importance to dealing with social factors, such as unemployment, bad housing, poverty, stigma and social isolation. Website provides access to papers about critical psychiatry.
www.critpsynet.freeuk.com/

ect.org
US service-user-led site about electroconvulsive therapy, its use and its effects. Click on 'Resources' for numerous links to information and published papers and articles about electroconvulsive therapy, including its side-effects and the personal experiences of survivors. Site also includes access to an online discussion group; click on 'Let’s talk forum'.
www.ect.org

Website devoted to service-users, and their carers, families and friends. It collates examples of people’s experiences, opinions and creativity, including their artwork and poetry. The home page also offers access to an online discussion 'Forum' for people to share ideas and experiences and support each other.
www.madnotbad.co.uk

Survivor-led organisation providing support to people who self-harm. It is committed to campaigning for the rights and understanding of people who self-harm. You can access its online forum from the home page.
www.nshn.co.uk/

US Network
Website of the All Wales User and Survivor Network, for people in Wales who use or have used mental health services and their allies.
www.usnetwork.co.uk

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Criminal justice and mental health

Charity concerned with mental health and the criminal-justice system. Aims to help people caught up in a cycle of crisis, crime and mental illness, by creating opportunities for them to transform their lives. Runs practical schemes in police stations, prisons and courts to help clients gain access to the support they need.
www.revolving-doors.co.uk

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Mental health and the law

Has more than 750 members in England and Wales drawn from all the professions involved in the application of the Mental Health Act. Aims to promote good practice in implementation of the Act and standardise procedures nationwide. Home page provides links to numerous resources on mental health and the law, including a 'Guide to the Mental Health Act'.
www.markwalton.net

Law Centres provide a free and independent professional legal service to people who live or work in their local catchment areas. They specialise in welfare rights, immigration, housing, employment rights, and sex and race discrimination, but many also deal with mental health law and disability rights. To see if there is a centre near you, use the 'Find a law centre' facility on the home page.
www.lawcentres.org.uk/

The regulatory and representative body for solicitors in England and Wales. To find a solicitor or law firm in your area who specialises in mental health and incapacity law, from the home page click first on 'Choosing and using solicitors', then click on 'Find a solicitor'. Enter your postcode when prompted and select 'Mental health and incapacity law' from the list under 'Area of law'.
www.lawsociety.org.uk/

A body established by law to keep under review the operation of the Mental Health Act 1983, as it relates to patients who are detained or liable to be detained. It has 100 members or commissioners, who include lay people, lawyers, doctors, social workers and other specialists. Local commissioners visit people detained under the Act and investigate complaints. Click on 'Information leaflets' for patients' leaflets on how to complain and related issues.
www.mhac.org.uk/

Independent body whose work is mostly concerned with safeguarding the rights and welfare of people being cared for under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003, or the Adults with Incapacity (Scotland) Act 2000. Runs a user and carer advice line on 0800 389 6809 (weekdays only).
www.mwcscot.org.uk/

Mind's website includes extensive written information on mental health and the law; click first on 'Information', and then on 'Legal'. Mind also runs a legal advice line; contact MindInfoline on 0845 766 0163 for details.
www.mind.org.uk

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Learning disabilities

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Disability issues

Directgov
Directgov is a website that provides the public with a single point of access to government services and information. A key section of Directgov is for disabled people; click on 'Disabled people' from the home page. Topics covered include employment, financial support, housing, disability rights and caring. From here, you will also find a link to 'mental health' pages.
www.direct.gov.uk

Disability Rights Commission
The Disability Rights Commission (DRC) is an independent body that enforces the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), tackles discrimination and promotes the benefits of an inclusive society. It produces information on rights for disabled people, good practice for employers and service providers, and organises campaigns to change policy and practice. To contribute your views go to www.disabilitydebate.org. You can call the helpline on 08457 622633.
www.drc-gb.org/

John Grooms
Charity providing services and support to disabled people, particularly residential care and housing. Provides holiday accommodation at affordable prices, and also supplies lifestyle information.
www.johngrooms.org.uk