UK Helplines and Charities Directory

Eating Disorders

Beat

Beat is the UK’s number one charity for eating disorder support. You can contact them via phone, email and online chat

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services

If you are supporting someone else who has an eating disorder or are concerned about someone you know, you can access support and advice here: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/support-services/someone-else

For Carers

Carers Trust

Offers help and support to carers across the UK. 

carers.org

F.E.A.S.T

The global support and education community of and for parents of those with eating disorders

https://feast-ed.org/

General Mental Health

Samaritans

UK-based charity, Samaritans offers emergency support for people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, suicidal ideation and low mood.

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

24-hour emotional support for anyone struggling to cope. 

Mind

UK Charity, Mind, has a wealth of information on their website about different mental illnesses and treatments. They provide an information and signposting service, which you can access here: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

Details of local Minds, other local services, and Mind’s Legal Advice Line. 

  • Tel: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm)

  • Email: info@mind.org.uk

  • http://mind.org.uk/

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

BACP is a membership body for counsellors and therapists. They provide information on different types of therapy, and you can search for a therapist by area. 

  • Tel: 01455 88 33 00 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)

  • bacp.co.uk

Rethink Mental Illness

Information for carers including a carer’s assessment pack, message board and sibling support network. 

  • Tel: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4pm)

  • rethink.org

Domestic Abuse

Galop

Confidential helpline for LGBT people experiencing domestic abuse. 

  • National LGBT Domestic Abuse Hotline 0800 999 5428 (Various opening hours)

  • Email: help@galop.org.uk

  • galop.org.uk/

Men’s Advice Line

Confidential helpline for all men (whether in heterosexual or same-sex relationships) experiencing domestic violence by a current or ex-partner. 

  • Helpline: 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm)

  • Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk

  • mensadviceline.org.uk

Refuge – National Domestic Violence helpline. Run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge. 

  • Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (Freephone 24 hours)

  • Email: info@refuge.org.uk

  • refuge.org.uk

Welsh Women’s Aid – Working to end domestic abuse and all forms of violence against women in Wales. 

Women’s Aid (England) – Working to end domestic abuse against women and children in England. 

Sexual abuse & Rape Crisis

CIS’ters (Childhood Incest Survivors) – Help and support for adult women who suffered incest as a child. Workshops and conferences to raise awareness on the issues surrounding incest, particularly mental distress. 

Galop – Confidential and independent advice and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people who have experienced sexual assault, abuse or violence, however or whenever it happened. 

Rape Crisis (England and Wales) – Lists local organisations throughout England and Wales with contact details, services offered and opening times. Services are available to women who have been sexually abused at any time in their lives. 

  • National Freephone helpline: 0808 802 9999 (12pm to 2.30 pm, 7pm to 9.30 pm every day of the year)

  • Email:info@rapecrisis.org.uk

  • rapecrisis.org.uk/

Mankind – Provides one-to-one counselling, therapeutic groups and couple counselling to men (age 18+) who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives. 

  • Tel: 01273 911 680

  • Email: admin@mankindcounselling.org.uk

  • mkcharity.org

Survivors UK – Provides support for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Also provides face-to-face counselling and support groups in some areas. 

  • SMS: 020 3322 1860 (Monday - Friday 9.30am to 5pm)

  • Email: help@survivorsuk.org

  • www.survivorsuk.org

A full list of other UK-based charities and helplines, including support for domestic violence, abuse and bereavement, can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/nhs-voluntary-charity-services/charity-and-voluntary-services/get-help-from-mental-health-helplines/