Mental Health Directory

When you or someone you care about is facing mental health challenges, finding the right support can make all the difference. “Where to Find Help When You Need It” is a comprehensive resource designed to guide you through various mental health organisations and helplines in Scotland and the wider UK. Our goal is to help you easily access the support and information you need to navigate life’s challenges, improve well-being, and foster resilience.

This page covers a wide range of mental health resources, including general mental health support, crisis helplines, services for specific conditions, and resources for different age groups and demographics. With an emphasis on organisations serving Scotland, we aim to ensure that everyone can find the assistance they need, regardless of their location or circumstance. Remember, reaching out for help is a sign of strength, and together, we can create a community that supports mental health and well-being for all.

Samaritans: A volunteer-led organisation providing confidential emotional support to anyone struggling with their mental health or experiencing suicidal thoughts, available 24/7 via phone, email, and in-person visits.
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/
Telephone: 116 123 (24-hour helpline, free to call)

NHS 24: Scotland’s national Telehealth and tele-care organisation, offering confidential health advice and information, including mental health support, 24/7.
Website: https://www.nhs24.scot/
Telephone: 111 (24-hour helpline)

Breathing Space: A free, confidential helpline for individuals experiencing low mood, anxiety, or depression, providing advice and support during evenings and weekends in Scotland.
Website: https://breathingspace.scot/
Telephone: 0800 83 85 87 (6pm – 2am weekdays, 24 hours on weekends)

Mind: A mental health charity in England and Wales offering information, support, and advice to anyone experiencing mental health problems.
Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (information helpline)

SAMH: A mental health charity in Scotland offering various services such as community-based support, housing, employment, and policy advocacy.
Website: https://www.samh.org.uk/
Telephone: 0141 530 1000 (main office number)

Support in Mind Scotland: A mental health charity supporting people affected by mental illness, including their families, carers, and supporters, through services like community-based support, advocacy, and mental health awareness campaigns.
Website: https://www.supportinmindscotland.org.uk/
Telephone: 0131 662 4359 (national office number)

Penumbra: A mental health charity providing support and care for people with mental health issues in Scotland through services like crisis intervention, recovery-focused support, and supported accommodation.
Website: https://www.penumbra.org.uk/
Telephone: 0131 475 2380 (head office number)

Mental Health Aberdeen: Mental Health Aberdeen is a local charity that provides counselling, information, and support services to people affected by mental health issues in Aberdeen and the surrounding areas.
Website: https://www.mha.uk.net/
Telephone: 01224 573892 (main office number)

Inverness & Highland Mental Health & Wellbeing Support Services: This organisation offers a range of support services for people experiencing mental health issues in Inverness and the Highland region. Services include information, advice, and self-help resources.
Website: https://www.highlandmentalhealthsupport.co.uk/
Telephone: 01463 729630 (main office number)

Moray Wellbeing Hub: Moray Wellbeing Hub is a community-based organisation that supports people with mental health issues in the Moray region. They offer a range of services, including peer support, self-help resources, and signposting to other local mental health services.
Website: https://moraywellbeinghub.org.uk/
Telephone: 01343 610500 (main office number)

Orkney Blide Trust: The Orkney Blide Trust is a mental health charity in Orkney that provides support and services to people with mental health issues. They offer housing support, community outreach, and various wellbeing activities.
Website: http://www.blidetrust.org.uk/
Telephone: 01856 874874 (main office number)

Shetland Mental Health Support Group: This support group offers mental health support services to people living in the Shetland Islands. They provide information, advice, and signposting to other local mental health services.
Website: https://www.mhsm.org.uk/
Telephone: 01595 692798 (main office number)

Mikeysline: Mikeysline is a text-based helpline for people in the Highlands and Northern Scotland experiencing mental health issues. They provide confidential support and advice for individuals struggling with their mental health, including depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts.
Website: https://www.mikeysline.co.uk/ Telephone: 01463 729000 SMS Text Line Callback: 07786 207755

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): A UK-wide organisation providing support to men experiencing mental health problems or suicidal thoughts, offering a helpline, webchat, and information resources.
Website: https://www.thecalmzone.net/
Telephone: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight, free to call)

Papyrus (for people under 35): A UK-wide organisation focused on preventing young suicide, offering support and resources for young people experiencing suicidal thoughts and those concerned about them.
Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
Telephone: 0800 068 41 41 (9am – 10pm weekdays, 2pm – 10pm weekends)

Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs (SFAD): A Scotland-wide organisation providing support and resources to families affected by alcohol and drugs.
Website: https://www.sfad.org.uk/
Telephone: 08080 10 10 11 (confidential helpline)

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) Scotland: A fellowship of individuals recovering from alcoholism, providing support through meetings, literature, and a helpline.
Website: https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/AA-Meetings/Scotland
Telephone: 0800 9177 650 (national helpline)

Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Scotland: A fellowship of individuals recovering from drug addiction, offering support through meetings, literature, and a helpline.
Website: https://www.ukna.org/meetings/search?latitude=56.4906712&longitude=-4.2026458
Telephone: 0300 999 1212 (national helpline)

Anxiety UK: A UK-wide charity providing support, resources, and information for those affected by anxiety, panic attacks, and phobias.
Website: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
Telephone: 03444 775 774 (helpline)

Depression Alliance Scotland: Merged with SAMH, providing support and resources for individuals affected by depression in Scotland.
Website: http://www.depressionalliance.scot/
(Merged with SAMH, refer to their website for support)

Beat: A UK-wide organisation providing information, support, and helplines for those affected by eating disorders and their families.
Website: https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
Telephone: 0808 801 0677 (helpline for adults)
Telephone: 0808 801 0711 (helpline for young people)

Scottish Eating Disorders Interest Group (SEDIG): A Scottish organisation focused on providing resources, information, and raising awareness about eating disorders and services in Scotland.
Website: http://www.sedig.co.uk/
(No specific helpline, but they provide resources and information about eating disorder services in Scotland)

Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland: A Scottish organisation offering support, advice, and information to bereaved people, including a helpline and local support groups.
Website: https://www.crusescotland.org.uk/
Telephone: 0808 802 6161 (helpline)

Child Bereavement UK: A UK-wide organisation providing support to families and professionals when a child dies or faces bereavement.
Website: https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
Telephone: 0800 02 888 40 (helpline)

Rape Crisis Scotland: A Scottish organisation providing support, resources, and a helpline for survivors of sexual violence.
Website: https://www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk/
Telephone: 08088 01 03 02 (helpline)

Survivors UK (Male Sexual Abuse Support): A UK-wide organisation offering support to male survivors of sexual abuse and rape, including a helpline and online chat.
Website: https://www.survivorsuk.org/
Telephone: 020 3598 3898 (helpline)
Online chat: https://www.survivorsuk.org/ways-we-can-help/online-helpline/ (12pm – 8pm)

Scottish Women’s Aid: A Scottish organisation providing support, information, and a helpline for women experiencing domestic abuse.
Website: https://womensaid.scot/
Telephone: 0800 027 1234 (24-hour helpline)

LGBT Health and Wellbeing Scotland: A Scottish organisation providing support, resources, and services to improve the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals.
Website: https://www.lgbthealth.org.uk/
Telephone: 0300 123 2523 (helpline)

Stonewall Scotland: A Scottish organisation advocating for LGBTQ+ equality and offering information, resources, and support for LGBTQ+ individuals.
Website: https://www.stonewallscotland.org.uk/
Telephone: 0800 0502020 (information service)

Childline: A UK-wide helpline providing confidential support, advice, and counselling to children and young people up to the age of 19.
Website: https://www.childline.org.uk/
Telephone: 0800 1111 (24-hour helpline)

Young Scot: A Scottish organisation offering information, support, and resources for young people, including mental health resources and guidance.
Website: https://young.scot/ (Provides information and support for young people in Scotland, including mental health resources)

The Spark: A Scotland-based organisation providing relationship support and mental health services for individuals, couples, and families, including a helpline.
Website: https://www.thespark.org.uk/
Telephone: 0808 802 2088 (relationship and mental health helpline)

ParentLine Scotland: A helpline for parents and carers in Scotland, offering support, advice, and information on various parenting and family issues, including mental health concerns.
Website: https://www.children1st.org.uk/parentline
Telephone: 08000 28 22 33 (helpline for parents and carers)