If you’re looking to support one of the UK’s mental health charities, this guide can help. Image: Unsplash
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Every year, World Mental Health on October 10 marks an opportunity. Stigmas are being broken and more help is available than ever. If you’re struggling, there are a range of UK mental health charities offering free support.
From support groups to helplines, volunteers around the country work to make sure help is available – especially where it may not be on offer otherwise.
The Big Issue has compiled this list of the UK’s most prominent mental health charities, together with information on how they can help you, and how you can support them.
These are the mental health charities in the UK that can help you:
Mind
Perhaps the UK’s most prominent mental health charity, Mind was founded in 1946 and counts Stephen Fry as its president.
It provides confidential information and advice through its InfoLine, as well as information on mental health-related law through its Legal Line.
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These can be contacted by calling 0300 123 3393 or emailing info@mind.org.uk for its InfoLine and 0300 466 6463 for its Legal Line.
Mind also has around 125 local, affiliated Mind associations, offering specialised support for communities, which can be found here.
You can donate directly to support Mind through this link. Mind also runs charity shops across the country – you can support them by donating or shopping.
Samaritans
On November 2 1953, a vicar named Chad Varah answered a phone call from somebody thinking of suicide. Nearly 70 years on, over 20,000 Samaritans volunteers help operate its 24-hour helpline, taking calls from those needing help.
Samaritans also produces research on how at-risk groups can be supported, and provides media guidelines for journalists, ensuring coverage of suicide avoids making the problem worse.
You can apply to become a volunteer for their hotline, providing support for those who desperately need it, here. Samaritans also accept text donations, following the instructions here.
Its free hotline is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can be reached at 116 123.
Young Minds
The Covid-19 pandemic and the UK’s lockdowns have put a renewed focus on the mental health of the country’s young people.
YoungMinds works to make sure every young person is properly supported with their mental health, and aims to stop young people reaching a crisis point.
It has a series of guides for young people on mental health conditions, coping with life, medications, and more, which can be found here. There is also support for parents, with a helpline on 0808 802 5544 open from 9.30-4, Monday to Friday and a web chat service available here.
To support this mental health charity, you can buy merch, fundraise, join an event, or give money online.
There are a range of mental health charities offering support in the UK. Image: Unsplash
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink’s work focuses on those caring for people with experience of mental illness, as well as those experiencing it themselves.
It offers 90 mental health services, including support for carers, helplines, and advocacy. Details of what’s available in your area can be found here.
Its website provides information on a range of mental health conditions, advice on mental health rights and laws, and guidance for living with a mental health condition.
Rethink also runs over 140 support groups, both in-person and online, run by volunteers and offering the chance to connect with people with similar experiences. You can find details here.
Volunteers with the charity can fulfil a number of roles, from sharing their experience in the media to supporting people living with mental illness. To fundraise for Rethink, click here.
Place2Be
Another charity focusing on children’s mental health, Place2Be provides mental health support in school.
Along with providing in-school counselling and training, Place2Be provides resources for parents of children experiencing mental health problems.
You can donate to Place2Be here, and volunteer here – with opportunities including working on a free text service or helping with a Young Voices concert.
Together for Mental Wellbeing
Founded in 1879, making it one of the country’s oldest mental health charities, Together focuses on individuals, and making sure people experiencing mental health difficulties are at the heart of their own recoveries.
The charity offers 24-hour residential accommodation, and its Your Way programme provides personalised support for individuals.
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