MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT ONLINE
When it comes to mental health, you’re not as alone as you think!
There are numerous resources and sources of supportive and helpful information within a number of mental health issues. Whether you are a sufferer of mental health, or the carer or loved one of a sufferer, there is support out there.
It’s a question of where to look for these credible sources.
What is really important to note is that they don’t all fall in the same age or type of mental health support category. Whether you are feeling distress, despair, depression, suicidal, anxiety, in crisis, or you are a young person, a parent, a man, a woman, a carer, there are specific websites that offer that support you need.
The second edition now includes a complete chapter on Mental Health Support online, guiding the reader through their specific search with a heavier focus on three main countries, the UK, the US, and Australia, as they are examples of some of the best mental health support online.
Below are a few of the many mental health support websites mentioned in the book.
UK
• PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
• CALM
Campaign Against Living Miserably
This is a support organisation for
men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
• Young Minds
This provides information on child and adolescent mental health.
It includes services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
• OCD UK
This is a website run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. It includes facts, news, and treatments.
Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.45pm)
Website: www.ocduk.org
• Saneline
This national mental health helpline delivers information and support to people with mental health problems, as well as to those who support them.
Phone: 0300 304 7000 (daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm)
Text: bespoke one-way messages of emotional support are available through the Textcare service, which can be requested online at www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/textcare
Website: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline
• Side by Side
This is a supportive online community, which you would need to sign up for, in which anyone can be themselves. It is run by Mind.
Website: https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk/
• SAMARITANS
Emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide.
Provides confidential, non-judgemental
You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hrs/day, free to call)
Website: https://www.samaritans.org
• Mental Health Foundation
This provides information and support for anyone who has mental health problems or learning disabilities.
It also includes specific sections for men’s mental health (www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/m/men-and-mental-health), women’s mental health (www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/w/women-and-mental-health), and many more on this page (http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/all).
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hrs/day, free to call)
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
• Bipolar UK
This delivers support for those suffering with bipolar disorder. It not only offers supportive information but also provides links to hotlines from other charities.
Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
• Time to Change
This website is aimed at stopping the stigma surrounding mental health. Similarly to Bipolar UK, it provides links to hotlines from other charities.
Website: www.time-to-change.org.uk
• The Mix
This offers young people aged 13 to 25 judgement-free information and support on a variety of issues, including mental health problems.
The Mix’s support can be accessed via phone, email, or text.
Telephone: 0808 808 4994 (daily, 4pm to 11pm, and free to call)
Mobile apps: there are five helpful mobile phone apps that can be downloaded, which provide help with some daily challenges, such as stress, motivation, and so on.
Crisis Support: Text ‘THEMIX’ to 85258
Website: www.themix.org.uk/get-support
• Maytree
This provides a residential service for people experiencing a suicidal crisis, allowing them to talk about their suicidal thoughts and behaviour.
Telephone: 020 72637070
Website: www.maytree.org.uk
• SHOUT
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help.
Text: 85258
Website: https://www.giveusashout.org/
• No Panic
This offers support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). A course is offered to help sufferers overcome their phobia or OCD.
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute, plus the phone provider’s access charge.
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
• OCD Action
This provides support for people with OCD.
It includes information on treatment and online resources.
Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 8pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus the phone provider’s access charge.
Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
• Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line
This not only provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems, but it also offers support to those who care for them, including health professionals, employers, staff, friends, and family.
Services and groups are run across England.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Email: online contact form.
Website: https://www.rethink.org/aboutus/what-we-do/advice-and-information-service/
• Childline
This delivers a private and confidential support service for children and young people up to the age of 19. A Childline counsellor can be contacted about anything, by phone or online chat, 24/7, and for free – no problem is too big or too small.
Phone: 0800 1111
Website: www.childline.org.uk
• NHS
The NHS website is also a great source, not only of mental health information, but it also provides some of the aforementioned links, plus others. It is also a good place to stop on your journey when searching for mental health support online.
Website: www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines
US
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
This is the leading federal agency for research on mental disorders; its website also provides links to a number of other online mental health organisations relating to a number of mental health illnesses.
NIMH is part of the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS).
Website: www.nimh.nih.gov
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance
This organisation provides support that focuses on mood disorders, including depression and bipolar disorder. This is offered online 24/7, in local support groups, via audio and video casts, and/or in printed materials. It is linked to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Text: Send ‘DBSA’ to 741 741
Website: www.dbsalliance.org
• Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
This is an agency within the US Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) that focuses on substance abuse and mental illness; it provides links and contact information (online and phone) to other mental-health-support organisations.
Website: www.samhsa.gov
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
This is a free and confidential crisis hotline, which is available to anyone 24/7 days a week, and connects callers to the nearest crisis centre in the national Lifeline network.
Telephone: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Website: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA)
This organisation centres on education, training, and research, and provides a link to a network of ADAA mental health professionals who specialise in anxiety, depression, and co- occurring disorders.
It also provides a link to online therapy, which is also known as Telemental Health, where a therapist or counsellor provides counselling and support online or by phone.
Website: www.adaa.org
• OK2TALK
This is an online community that offers a safe, moderated place for teens and young adults who are struggling with mental health issues in which to share their personal stories and talk about what they are experiencing.
Website: www.ok2talk.org
• Crisis Text Line
This is a text hotline available 24/7 throughout the US. It is available to anyone having any type of mental health crisis, and connects those using the service with a crisis counsellor who can provide support and information.
Text: Send ‘HELLO’ to 741741
Website: www.crisistextline.org
• National Institute on Mental Illness (NAMI)
This service offers support and education both online and through more than 500 local affiliates in the US. It covers mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), OCD, depression, anxiety, eating disorders, suicide, addiction, and more.
Website: www.nami.org
Australia
• SANE Australia
This is a national mental health charity that delivers support and information, through access to a helpline and online webchat.
Telephone: 1800 187 263
Website: www.sane.org
• Lifeline
This 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention service is accessible by phone, webchat, or text. It provides links to other mental health organisations.
Telephone: 13 11 14
Text: 0477 13 11 14 (daily, 6pm to midnight)
Website: www.lifeline.org.au
• 1800RESPECT
This offers support for people affected by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, or abuse. Callers can talk to a trained counsellor 24/7, who will be able to direct them to the appropriate support.
Telephone: 1800 737 732
Website: www.1800respect.org.au
• The Butterfly Foundation
This organisation gives support both to people suffering from eating disorders and negative body image, and to their families and friends. It is accessible by phone, email, or online chat.
Telephone: 1800 33 4673
Website: www.thebutterflyfoundation.org.au
•R U OK?
As well as providing support, this organisation details connections to other organisations that provide a helpline, with an emphasis on suicide prevention.
There is a dedicated page www.ruok.org.au/findhelp linking 28 mental health support organisations offering everything from immediate support to tools and resources.
Website: www.ruok.org.au
• MensLine Australia
This is a telephone and online counselling service for men who have concerns regarding their emotional health and/or relationship.
Telephone: 1300 78 99 78 (24/7)
Website: www.mensline.org.au
• Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Australia (PANDA)
This organisation provides support to individuals and families suffering from perinatal anxiety and depression. These services are available to support any new parent who is struggling during pregnancy or after the birth of their baby; it also offers support to their partner, family, and friends.
Telephone: 1300 726 306 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 7.30pm)
Website: www.panda.org.au
• Kids Help Line
This delivers an impressive and visually engaging online support structure for young people aged between 5 and 25, through which they can access support and information on their mental health, by phone, email, or webchat, 24/7.
Telephone: 1800 55 18 00
Website: www.kidshelp.com.au
• Carer Gateway
This is an Australian government initiative that provides information and advice, assists carers in getting the services and support they need, offers free counselling services over the phone, provides free coaching, and utilises a community forum as a means to connect carers with one another.
Telephone: 1800 422 737 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm)
Website: www.carergateway.gov.au
• ReachOut.com
This leading online mental health organization is specifically geared towards young people and their parents. It provides support, online digital self-help tools, and tips that have been designed to help young people get through their challenges and struggles. These tools can be accessed at any time and from any location.
Website: www.au.reachout.com
You can find these and more in the 2nd edition of IS IT SERIOUS?