Support Beyond Therapy: Trusted Places to Find Other Help, Reassurance and Support

Sometimes therapy isn’t the only kind of support you need. Below is a carefully chosen list of websites and organisations that offer trustworthy, kind, and useful help — whether you're in crisis, exploring how you feel, or just looking for some clarity and reassurance. Every link here is included because it could genuinely be of use.

📞 Crisis & Urgent Support

Samaritans
24/7 free listening service — no pressure, no judgement.
https://www.samaritans.org/

SHOUT (Text-based support)
Free 24/7 mental health text support. Text “SHOUT” to 85258.
https://giveusashout.org/

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
24/7 emotional support for anyone struggling to cope.
https://www.spuk.org.uk/national-suicide-prevention-helpline-uk/

🧠 Mental Health & Trauma Support

Mind
Information and support for many types of mental health experiences.
https://www.mind.org.uk/

NHS Mental Health
Explains NHS support options, self-help, and how to access talking therapies.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/

SANE – Emotional Support and Information
Provides a helpline (SANEline), text support, email, online community and resources for mental health challenges and their loved ones.
www.sane.org.uk

Bipolar UK – Support for Bipolar and Mood Conditions
Offers peer support, information, and signposting for those living with bipolar or manic depression and their families.
www.bipolaruk.org.uk

Rethink Mental Illness – Peer Groups and Advice
National charity providing expert advice, support groups, and resource guides for people affected by severe mental illness.
www.rethink.org

Turning Point – Person‑Centred Support for Complex Needs
UK social enterprise offering tailored mental health, learning disability, addiction and holistic wellbeing support services across England and Wales.
www.turning-point.co.uk

OCD Action – Support for Obsessive‑Compulsive Disorder
National charity providing helplines, self-help groups and online resources for OCD and related conditions.
www.ocdaction.org.uk

Hub of Hope – UK‑wide Support Directory
Searchable database of local, peer‑led, charity, peer, private and community mental health services across the UK.
hubofhope.co.uk

Carolyn Spring – Living with Trauma
Personal and professional insights into trauma, recovery, and how to live a meaningful life after adversity. Clear, compassionate, and easy to read.
www.carolynspring.com

Pete Walker – Understanding C-PTSD
Practical, plain-language resources on complex trauma, emotional flashbacks, and childhood neglect. Widely recommended by survivors.
www.pete-walker.com

The Mighty – Mental Health Stories
Short, real-life stories from people living with anxiety, depression, trauma, and more. Not clinical — just honest.
www.themighty.com/topic/mental-health

Gabor Maté – Compassionate Understanding of Trauma
Videos, articles, and talks exploring how trauma shapes health, behaviour, and identity — all with warmth and humanity.
www.drgabormate.com

🌈 LGBTQ+ Mental Health & Support

MindOut
LGBTQ+ mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people.
https://mindout.org.uk/

Switchboard
LGBTQ+ helpline offering support via phone, chat or email.
https://switchboard.lgbt/

Stonewall – Mental Health
Information and support on navigating mental health as an LGBTQ+ person.
https://www.stonewall.org.uk/about-us/news/mental-health-resources-lgbt-people

👨 Men’s Mental Health

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Mental health support and suicide prevention for men.
https://www.thecalmzone.net/

Men's Health Forum
Practical mental and physical health advice tailored for men.
https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/

💔 Grief, Loss & Bereavement

Cruse Bereavement Support
UK’s leading bereavement charity, offering free resources and counselling.
https://www.cruse.org.uk/

The Good Grief Trust
Support after loss, with links to local and specialist services.
https://www.thegoodgrieftrust.org/

😤 Anger & Anxiety

Anxiety UK
Support and information for people struggling with anxiety.
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/

Mind – Anger
Helpful explanations and suggestions for coping with anger.
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anger/

🏠 Domestic Abuse & Violence

Refuge
Support for women and children experiencing domestic violence.
https://www.refuge.org.uk/

Men's Advice Line
Confidential advice and support for men experiencing domestic abuse.
https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

Women's Aid
National charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children.
https://www.womensaid.org.uk/

🤰 Birth, Parenting & Infant Support

Birthrights
A UK charity that champions respectful, human rights-based maternity care.
https://www.birthrights.org.uk/

AIMS (Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services)
Independent, parent-led organisation offering balanced, rights-based information on birth choices, consent, and navigating the system.
https://www.aims.org.uk/

NCT (National Childbirth Trust)
Support and classes around pregnancy, birth, feeding, and early parenting.
https://www.nct.org.uk/

La Leche League GB
Warm, non-judgemental breastfeeding support. Local groups, helplines, and information sheets.
https://www.laleche.org.uk/

Amy Brown – Infant Feeding & Maternal Wellbeing
Evidence-based, compassionate writing on infant feeding, maternal mental health, and early parenting.
https://professoramybrown.co.uk/

Association of Breastfeeding Mothers (ABM)
Helplines, articles, and peer support for all kinds of feeding journeys.
https://abm.me.uk/

Sara Wickham – Evidence-Based Birth Choices
Midwife and researcher offering accessible, well-referenced information around pregnancy, birth, and decision-making — particularly helpful if you’re processing a difficult birth experience.
www.sarawickham.com

Make Birth Better – Birth Trauma Support
UK organisation supporting people affected by difficult or traumatic birth. Offers stories, resources, and pathways to healing for parents and professionals.
www.makebirthbetter.org

💊 Chronic Illness & Mental Health

Chronic Illness Inclusion – Support for Energy-Limiting Conditions
A UK Disabled People’s Organisation led by people with energy-limiting chronic illnesses, offering peer-driven advocacy, resources, and community for mental well‑being and social inclusion.
www.chronicillnessinclusion.org.uk

Versus Arthritis
Support for people living with arthritis and chronic pain.
https://www.versusarthritis.org/

ME Association
Support for those affected by ME/CFS, including emotional wellbeing.
https://meassociation.org.uk/

📚 Evidence-Based Guidance

NICE – Mental Health and Behavioural Conditions
Government-approved clinical guidance on mental health conditions and treatments.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/mental-health-and-behavioural-conditions

NICE – Antenatal and Postnatal Mental Health
Guidelines on mental health care before and after birth.
https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng192

Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) – Patient Information
Trusted patient-facing info on pregnancy, birth, and women’s health.
https://www.rcog.org.uk/en/patients/

Royal College of Psychiatrists – Mental Health Information
Reliable information for patients and families on mental health conditions and treatments.
https://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mental-health