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Below we've listed some organisations that offer help over the telephone. This help might include giving information, advice, emotional support or counselling. You will also find organisations offering telephone help in other categories, particularly: Particular Groups of People / Needs, and Self Help & Support Groups. |
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If you want a comprehensive list of helplines that also follow the good practice principles of the Telephone Helplines Association (THA), see a copy of their Telephone Helplines Directory which should be available in libraries. This directory lists over 1,000 national, local and regional helplines covering a wide variety of subjects. The directory is also available on their website at: www.helplines.org.uk. |
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Confidentiality |
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Confidentiality is an important issue for many people calling a helpline. With most helplines your number will not be available at the other end for either 'Caller Display' or 'Call Return', but you can dial 141 before calling the number in order to be sure. If you call a freephone number (beginning 080, e.g. 0800 and 0808), the call will not be itemised on your phone bill except where it is made through a switchboard or a mobile phone. |
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Check with the THA for more information about confidentiality. |
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Agoraphobics United
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Target Group(s) |
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Agoraphobic, lonely and isolated people. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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Anxiety UK (formerly National Phobics Society)
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Target Group(s) |
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People with anxiety disorders, e.g. phobias, panic attacks, obsessive/compulsive disorders, post-traumatic stress, social anxiety and associated depressions, also eating disorders and tranquilliser issues. Also carers, families and professionals. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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ASSIST Trauma Care
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Target Group(s) |
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Anyone affected by post traumatic stress or post traumatic stress disorder. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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Beat (formerly Eating Disorders Association)
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Target Group(s) |
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People with eating disorders, their families and friends, professionals. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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First Steps to Freedom
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Target Group(s) |
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Anyone with experience of phobias, panic attacks, general anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, anorexia, bulimia, tranquilliser and any other psychiatric drug withdrawal, also their families. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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Hearing Voices Network
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Target Group(s) |
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People who hear voices and others with an interest in voice hearing / mental health. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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Help Overcome Panic Effects (HOPE)
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Target Group(s) |
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People who suffer from panic, phobias and anxiety attacks. |
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Area Served |
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UK for helpline. Hackney and surrounding areas for one-to-one support. |
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MDF - The BiPolar Organisation (formerly the Manic Depression Fellowship)
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Target Group(s) |
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People with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder/manic depression, their families, carers and friends, and mental health professionals. |
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Area Served |
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England and Wales. |
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Mind InfoLine
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Target Group(s) |
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Everyone with experience of mental distress, their families, friends, carers, professionals and the general public. |
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Area Served |
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England and Wales. |
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Mind Legal Advice Service
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Target Group(s) |
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Anyone - mental health service users/survivors, family members, professionals. |
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Area Served |
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England and Wales. |
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NHS Direct
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Target Group(s) |
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Anyone needing advice and information about healthcare. |
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Area Served |
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England. |
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No Panic
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Target Group(s) |
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People experiencing phobias, panic attacks, obsessive/compulsive disorders, other related anxiety disorders, tranquilliser withdrawal. Also carers and families. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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OCD Action (formerly Obsessive Action)
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Target Group(s) |
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People with obsessive compulsive disorder and related disorders - such as body dismorphic disorder (BDD), compulsive skin picking (CSP) and trichotillomania. Also family, friends and carers, as well as interested professionals. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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Rethink - National Information & Advice Service
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Target Group(s) |
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People with severe mental illness, particularly schizophrenia, their families and carers. |
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Area Served |
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England and Northern Ireland. |
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Samaritans
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Target Group(s) |
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Anyone needing emotional support and/or going through a crisis, experiencing feelings of distress or despair, or feeling suicidal. Anyone supporting or worried about someone in a crisis or feeling suicidal. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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Samaritans - Central London Branch
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Target Group(s) |
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Anybody needing emotional support and/or going through a crisis or feeling suicidal. Anyone supporting or worried about someone in a crisis or feeling suicidal. |
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Area Served |
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Central London. |
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Saneline & Sanemail
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Target Group(s) |
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People with mental health or emotional difficulties, their families, friends, carers, and professionals. Sanemail is targeted at younger people. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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SupportLine
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Target Group(s) |
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People of all ages, particularly those who are socially isolated and at risk or experiencing abuse. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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The Helplines Association
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Target Group(s) |
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People looking for a telephone helpline. Organisations running or planning to run a helpline service. |
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Area Served |
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UK. |
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