Links and resources

If you are going through a hard time and would like to talk to someone, below are some organisations that can help.

Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 Confidential emotional support 24 hours a day

NHS Direct 0845 4647 NHS Direct offer people in England and Wales medical information and advice by phone or over the internet. They can also refer callers to various self help and support organisations. In Scotland, contact NHS 24 on 08454 24 24 24.

Mind infoLine 0845 766 0163 (Open Monday to Friday 9.15am to 5.15pm) The Mind infoLine service is run by a dedicated team of specialists, responding to more than 20,000 enquiries a year. Topics range from types of mental distress, where to get help and drug treatments, to alternative therapies, who's who in mental health services and advocacy.

Rethink's National Advice Service 020 8974 6814 or advice@rethink.org Rethink's National Advice Service provides expert advice and information on issues that affect the lives of people coping with mental illness. For general enquiries about Rethink's work, please call 0845 456 0455.

SANEline 0845 767 8000 Support, information and advice for anyone affected by mental health problems (6pm-11pm every day.)

SANEmail SANEmail is a new email support service, which is fully funded by The Vodafone UK Foundation. SANEmail runs alongside SANEline to provide an additional channel of support to those affected by mental health issues. Anyone can email SANEmail, but in particular, the service aims to support: Young people affected by mental health problems who may feel more comfortable using email to gain support rather than the helpline. Or those with a physical disability or mental illness that prevents them from using the helpline

AnxietyUK AnxietyUK (formerly The National Phobics Society) offer a free email support service for people with anxiety disorders. Find out more about the email support service.

Dealing with Depression Dealing with Depression is an online forum that provides a friendly and safe place for people to share information and talk about their experiences of depression.

Mental Health Helplines Partnership Project The Telephone Helplines Association's website lists a number of different mental health telephone services.

One in one hundred Website giving information and resources for people with a diagnosis of schizophrenia and their friends and family, including a comprehensive list of support groups around the country. One in one hundred is produced by pharmaceutical company Janssen-Cilag.

Other organisations

Time to Change Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems.

Open up Open Up is a grassroots network of people with experience of mental distress, working together towards a world without mental health discrimination. They bring people together through networking, mentoring and training activities to share their ideas, resources and experiences.

Breakthrough: Art in Mental HealthBreakthrough Art is a community interest company that promotes positive mental health through the creative arts. It develops and influences national policy on art and mental health, shares positive practice and develops an international network for anyone with similar objectives. The pictures on their website and the accompanying Reflections Magazine showcase the creative talents and art of people who have suffered mental distress.