Mental Health Organisations: Living with Mental Health, Information, Links

Living with Mental Health

Having a mental illness is difficult, not only for the person concerned, but it can also be very stressful for their family and friends.

Mental illnesses are some of the least understood conditions in society. For many with mental health problems, it is not a single event or a certain type of instance that can lead to the development of their problems. It is more often the case that a series of events have occurred, which has eventually triggered the mental illness.

Many people suffering from mental illness face prejudice and discrimination in their everyday lives. Support networks become very important for those people and for people who do not have close friends or families, or who do not live near the people who support them and may be finding it increasingly difficult to cope alone.

Whether you suspect, or know for certain, that a member of your family or a friend has a mental health problem, you will probably find that it helps to learn about the disorder.

As well as our own Lotus Centre and Mind Activity Centre (MAC) which offer community support programs, including job and life skills, rehabilitation and social development projects. Below we have provided additional links to organisations that offer assistance on a variety of mental health issues. We hope some of these may prove useful.

Mental Health Organisations:

ANXIETY UK Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including cognitive behavioural therapy, counselling, medication information, literature, support groups and a helpline.
Address	ANXIETY UK, Zion Community Resource Centre 339 Stratford Road Hulme Manchester M15 4ZY
Tel:	08444 775 774
Website:	www.anxietyuk.org

ASSOCIATION FOR POST NATAL ILLNESS Information on postnatal depression. Puts mothers affected by postnatal depression in touch with others who have had similar experiences.
Address	145 Dawes Rd Fulham London SW6 7EB
Tel	020 7386 0868
Website	www.apni.org

DEPRESSION ALLIANCE Run by people with personal experience of depression who provide information and support.
Address	35 Westminster Bridge Road London SE1 7JB
Tel	0845 1232 320
Website	www.depressionalliance.org.uk

COUNSELLING DIRECTORY This site provides the UK with a huge counselling support network. It is a free, confidential service that encourages those in distress to seek help. The website also contains a number of sections on emotional disorders and provides some useful statistics. Every counsellor on the site is registered with a professional body with recognised codes of ethics and practice.
Website	www.counselling-directory.org.uk

EATING DISORDER ASSOCIATION Provides support groups, a helpline and information.
Tel	0845 635 1414
Website	www.edauk.com

FIRST STEPS TO FREEDOM Helpline for people suffering from phobias, anxiety, compulsive disorders, anorexia and bulimia. It also provides support groups, information and advice to carers.
Tel	01926 864 473
Helpline	0845 1202 916
Website	www.first-steps.org

HEARING VOICES NETWORK This site offers a list of self-help groups across the country. Please contact them for further information. They also provide volunteers to liaise with voluntary and statutory services so they can share their own experiences of hearing voices.
Address	91 Oldham Street Manchester M4 ILW Contact: Julie Downs
Tel	0161 834 5768
Fax	0161 834 5768
Helpline	0161 834 3033 (10.00am-4.00pm Monday-Friday)
Email	info@hearing-voices.org
Website	www.hearing-voices.org

MACA (MENTAL AFTER CARE ASSOCIATION) MACA works in partnership with other organisations such as Primary Care Trusts and local authorities, to run a broad range of mental-health services.
Address	National office: Maca 1st floor Lincoln House 296–302 High Holborn London WC1V 7JH
Tel	020 7061 3400
Fax	020 7061 3401
Website	www.maca.org.uk

MANIC DEPRESSION FELLOWSHIP Provides national support, advice and information
Address	Castle Works 21 St George Road London SE1 6ES
Tel	020 7793 2600
Fax	020 7793 2639
Website	www.mdf.org.uk

MENTALITY A charity dedicated solely to the promotion of mental health. They work with the public and the private sector and have user and survivor groups and voluntary agencies to promote the mental health of individuals, families and communities.
Address	Mentality 134-138 Borough High Street London SE1 1LB
Tel	020 7716 6777
Fax	020 7716 6774
Email	enquiries@mentality.org.uk
Website	www.mentality.org.uk

THE MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION A UK organisation with main offices in London and Glasgow. Incorporating the Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities. They were established in 1949 and use research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems.
Address	The Mental Health Foundation Level 7 83 Victoria Street London SW1H 0HW
Tel	020 7802 0300
Fax	020 7802 0301
Email	mhf@mhf.org.uk
Website	www.mentalhealth.org.uk

MENTAL HEALTH MEDIA
Tel	020 7700 8171
Website	www.mhmedia.org

MAYTREE Provides a free supportive non-medical environment where people at acute suicidal risk can rest, and be befriended in confidence and without judgement. Guests can stay for up to 4 nights and the aim is to alleviate despair and suicidal thoughts in order for them to re-connect with their lives and seek other sources of help.
Address	72 Moray Road London N4 3LG
Tel	020 7263 7070
Fax	0207561 1732
Email	maytree@maytree.org.uk
Website	www.maytree.org.uk
Referral	Self and agency referral
Transport	Finsbury Park underground station

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH IN ENGLAND NIMHE's main aim is to work with others to improve services and support for people who experience mental distress. Their web site includes the latest news, developments and publications from NIMHE, the Modernisation Agency, the Department of Health and other relevant organisations.
Address	NIMHE Blenheim House West One Duncombe Street Leeds LS1 4PL
Tel	0113 254 3811
Email	Ask@nimhe.org.uk
Website	www.nimhe.org.uk

NATIONAL MIND Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. It works for a better life for people diagnosed, labelled or treated as mentally ill and campaigns for their right to lead an active and valued life in the community. It offers information on topics such as the different types of mental illnesses, where to get help and advice, physical treatments and alternative therapies.
Address	Granta House 15-19 Broadway Stratford London E15 4BQ
Tel	020 8519 2122
Email	info@mind.org.uk
Website	www.mind.org.uk
Information line	0845 766 0163 (Monday - Friday 9:15am - 5:15pm)
Legal telephone line	020 8519 2122 (Monday, Wednesday, & Friday 2:00pm - 4:30pm) Mind’s legal service gives people guidance on all aspects of mental health legislation. It has a network of 600 solicitors with knowledge of mental health law.

NO PANIC Works with people suffering from panic attacks, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders. The site provides information, literature, newsletters, contact lists and advice on local groups and counselling.
Address	93 Brandsfarm Way Randlay, Telford Shropshire, TF3 2JQ
Tel	0195 2590 005
Helpline	0808 808 0545 (Everyday from 10:00am to 10:00pm)
Email	ceo@nopanic.org.uk
Website	www.nopanic.org.uk

RETHINK Rethink provides support, information and advice to people suffering from mental health difficulties and also to their family and friends.
Address	National Office 28 Castle Street Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 1SS
Tel	0845 4560 455
Fax	020 8547 3862
Advice Line	020 8974 6814 (Tuesday & Thursday 10:00am - 1:00pm)
Email	info@rethink.org
Website	www.rethink.org

ROYAL COLLEGE OF PSYCHIATRISTS
Address	17 Belgrave Square London SW1X 8PG
Tel	020 7235 2351
Fax	020 7245 1231
Email	rcpsych@rcpsych.ac.uk
Website	www.rcpsych.ac.uk

SAD ASSOCIATION (SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER) Please send a SAE to the above address for information. SAD offers support and advice to people who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder and provides information to professionals. They produce newsletters that are available for members and hold meetings. They also have a network of contacts and local groups.
Address	PO BOX 989 Steyning West Sussex BN44 3HG
Tel	0190 3814 942
Fax	01903 879 939
Website	www.sad.org

SANE SANE works to raise awareness and respect for people with mental illness and their families. It seeks to improve education and training and secure better services. They provide information and emotional support to those experiencing mental health problems, their families and carers through SANELINE
Address	SANE 1st Floor Cityside House 40 Adler Street London, E1 1EE
Tel	020 7375 1002
Fax	020 7375 2162
Saneline	0845 7678 000
Email	london@sane.org.uk
Website	www.sane.org.uk

SAMARITANS Offers emotional support and befriending to the lonely and suicidal in complete confidence at anytime of the day or night.
National Helpline	0845 7909 090
Central London	020 7734 2800
Website	www.samaritans.org.uk

EALING SAMARITANS Drop-in open for residents of Ealing and Hounslow. No appointment is necessary but it is advisable to telephone beforehand. The Ealing Samaritans also run a telephone befriending service.
Address	26 Junction Road Ealing London W5 4XL
Tel	020 8560 2345
Email	jo@samaritans.org
Transport	Northfield or South Ealing underground stations

WEST LONDON MENTAL HEALTH NHS TRUST
Address	Trust Headquarters St. Bernard’s Hospital Uxbridge Road Southall Middlesex UB1 3EU
Tel	0800 064 333
Website	www.wlmht.nhs.uk

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