Looking after your mental health

More information and support

There are organisations that can support you if you’re struggling to manage your mental wellbeing.

On this page:

Places to get immediate help

Samaritans
Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Whatever you’re going through, you can call Samaritans anytime, from any phone for free. Call 116 123

Shout Crisis text line
For support in a crisis text ‘Shout’ to 85258. You can text any time, day or night.

NHS urgent mental health helpline
24-hour advice and support, for you or someone you care for. This service is for people living in England only.

If you or a loved one needs immediate help, call 999 or visit your local A&E. A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.

Organisations offering information and support

For a complete list of mental health charities, organisations and support groups across the UK, take a look at this list on the NHS website.

NHS – Mental health and wellbeing
NHS information on mental health and wellbeing. It includes a mood self-assessment resource that can help you understand how you’ve been feeling and what you can do about it.

Mind
Information and support on mental health problems, including advice on how to manage them. Mind also has advice for supporting someone living with a mental health problem.

Infoline open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Call 0300 123 3393

Rethink Mental Illness
Provides advice on living with a mental illness, including rights, benefits and general information.

Helpline open 9:30am – 4pm Monday to Friday. Call 0300 5000 927

Mental Health Foundation
Charity specialising in research and policy development, with a focus on preventing mental health problems.

No Panic
Offers advice, support, recovery programs and help for people living with phobias, OCD and any other anxiety-based disorders.

Helpline open 10am – 10pm every day of the year. Call 0300 7729844

Relate
Provides relationship support, through counselling, mediation and workshops. 

Find your nearest Relate for more information about what’s available to you.

AnxietyUK
Information and support for people living with anxiety. Become a member to gain access to a range of support and get immediate therapy on demand. 

Helpline: 03444 775 774

The Silver Line
Confidential, free helpline for older people open every day and night of the year. It offers conversation and friendship, provides information and advice and can refer people on to receive regular friendship calls.

Helpline: 0800 4 70 80 90

Action Mental Health
Works to improve people’s mental health and wellbeing in Northern Ireland.

Hafal
Works in Wales with people recovering from serious mental illness and their families

Platfform
Works with people in Wales who are experiencing challenges with their mental health. 

SAMH
The Scottish association for mental health operates services across communities in Scotland.

Online community support

BLF web community
Our web community is here whenever you need it – whether you’ve just been diagnosed or are dealing with a long-term condition, and whether you have a lung disease yourself or care for someone who does.

Side by Side
Connect with others and share how you're feeling in a safe online space. This service is run by Mind, the mental health charity.

Phone apps to help you manage your mental wellbeing

Search the NHS apps library for a full list of mental health apps. 

Headspace
Guided meditation and mindfulness.

Calm
Mindfulness app to help reduce anxiety, sleep better and reduce stress.

Books to help you understand and manage mental health

There are lots of books available to help you understand and manage your mental wellbeing, so it’s worth doing a search online to find books that are of interest to you. Most bookshops now have a section on mental health that would be worth looking at.

Reading Well for mental health has collated a list of books that can help you understand your mental health better. All Reading Well books are recommended by health experts, as well as people with lived experience of the conditions.

Download our mental health information (PDF, 474KB)

We use your comments to improve our information. We cannot reply to comments left on this form. If you have health concerns or need clinical advice, call our helpline on 03000 030 555 between 9am and 5pm on a weekday or email them.

Last medically reviewed: March 2021. Due for review: March 2024

This information uses the best available medical evidence and was produced with the support of people living with lung conditions. Find out how we produce our information. If you’d like to see our references get in touch.