Free resources for psychological support and where to access urgent help…

This factsheet details various types of resources for psychological support including where to access urgent help.

It includes information on accessing one to one therapy, where to access information leaflets for specific mental health conditions, mental health charities, help lines and useful websites, free online therapy resources, mobile phone applications, self-help books and where to find private therapy.

Most of the resources listed are free.

Please note that some resources listed may change:

  • Information Leaflets
  • Self-Help Books
  • Self-Help Apps
  • Free Online Resources
  • Counselling/ Psychotherapy on the NHS
  • Mental Health Charities
  • Private Therapy
  • Help for Emergency Situations

Information Leaflets

Information leaflets can be a good way of gaining knowledge and understanding about a mental health condition.
You might find it helpful to give a leaflet to friends and/or family members to help them understand mental health.
The websites below offer free downloadable leaflets on different types of mental health conditions.

Self-help leaflets – Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS
https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/

National Centre for Mental Health
https://www.ncmh.info/leaflets/

Self-Help Books

Self-help books can be a useful method to learn how to better manage/ improve common mental health condition such as anxiety and low mood.

The NHS recommend the ‘Reading Well’ books and the ‘Overcoming’ self-help books. They are also available on CD.
Reading Well books are available free from your local library and on the following website: https://reading-well.org.uk/.
Overcoming books are available to buy in bookshops and from the overcoming website https://overcoming.co.uk/14/Help-for-Mental-Health. These are also available from libraries. They cover more than 30 common mental health problems.

Self-Help Apps

Smartphone applications are an easy and convenient way to access different types of mental health support. While some apps track mood, others offer specific interventions. Many are for free although some charge. The following websites have a list of mental health applications:
https://www.mind.org.uk (mental health charity ‘Mind’)
https://apps.beta.nhs.uk/category/mental_health/ (NHS Choices website)

Here are some examples of applications:
‘WellMind’: This is designed to help with stress, anxiety and depression (free).
‘Stay Alive’: This is a suicide prevention resource, offering information to help you stay safe (free).
‘Chill Panda’ is designed to help people relax via breathing techniques and exercises (free).
‘Headspace’ offers mindfulness (chargeable).

Free Online Resources

You may choose to use the online free resources for information on self-help. The sites below explain different types of mental health conditions and offer modules that you can work through with printable worksheets.

Free online resources are available from the following websites:MoodZone (NHS) offers information on stress, anxiety and depression: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/
MoodGym: http://healthyyoungmindspennine.nhs.uk/resource-centre/apps/moodgym/

Counselling /Psychotherapy on the NHS

Accessing Psychological Support
Self-refer or ask your GP to refer you to your local IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy) service for free psychological support. Search your local service by post-code. https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/

Accessing Specialised Therapy
Some services offer specialised therapy. If your medical condition is affecting your mental well-being (even if you are a parent of an affected child) you can access psychotherapy through your hospital doctor/respiratory service.

Accessing Mental Health Resources
The NHS Choice website contains advice and signposting to resources on mental health: For a list of helplines specific to a mental health condition visit the following website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/

Mental Health Charities

Mental health charities provide useful information on their websites about living with a mental health condition.
Some charities run local support groups, provide counselling, telephone support, advice and list helpline numbers. Below are some mental health charities. Call or visit these websites for information on local support groups and advice.

The Sandcastle Trust: Website: https://sandcastletrust.org Help Line: 0207 1998 261 Our mission is to reduce inequalities in emotional health and wellbeing outcomes for families living with a rare genetic condition by providing tailored services that build family resilience, foster connections, and create lasting positive memories. Provide counselling services in conjunction with RareMinds

Rethink: Website: https://www.rethink.org Help Line: 0300 5000 927

Mind: Website: https://www.mind.org.uk Helpline Line: 0300 123 3393 or text 86463

Samaritans: Website: https://www.samaritans.org Telephone: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org. Visit the website to find your local center for one to one sessions.

Sane: Website: http://www.sane.org.uk Telephone: 0300 304 7000. Textcare: text messages sent when the person needs it most: http://www.sane.org.uk/textcare. Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum

Private Therapy

You may choose to access private psychotherapy/ counselling.

Below are some websites where you can find a clinician in your area.
British Psychological Society (BPS): Visit https://www.bps.org.uk and go to find me a psychologist
British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP): Visit https://www.bacp.co.uk/ and go to therapist directory
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP): Visit https://www.psychotherapy.org.uk and go to find a psychotherapist

If you, or someone you know are in a state of mental health crisis:

  • Book an urgent GP appointment (during normal working hours)
  • Visit A&E (outside normal working hours)
  • If you are worried about someone who will not attend A&E or their GP you can call an ambulance or the police: Call 999 or 101.
  • Call the Crisis team if the person is already known to them.
  • If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts you may find it helpful to call the Samaritans:
    Telephone: 116 123 Email: jo@samaritans.org (free phone).
  • Call 111 for medical advice

Grief Support

Muscular Dystrophy Campaign provide a grief support helpline for our patient community: 0800 652 6352 or email info@musculardystrophyuk.org. More information about grief support from a range of charities is provided on Muscular Dystrophy UK’s website page on Bereavement support.

Information provided by: Dr C Kyriacou, Royal Brompton Hospital, London (updated 2021), Myotubular Trust and MD UK.

Updated January 2025