Getting help for your mental health in the UK
How you get NHS mental health support depends on where in the UK you live. In every nation, your GP practice is a good place to start. England also lets you refer yourself to talking therapies directly. This guide covers the usual routes in each nation, and then urgent help.
If you have just taken a depression or anxiety test, take a note of your score and answers before you contact anyone. It gives you something specific to talk about.
England
Your GP. A GP can advise you on your options, including whether to refer yourself for talking therapies [1]. For some conditions, such as eating disorders, bipolar disorder or psychosis, you will usually need a GP to refer you [1].
NHS Talking Therapies. You can refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without speaking to a GP [1]. The service covers problems such as low mood and worry, depression, anxiety, panic, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder [1].
To refer yourself, you need to [2]:
- live in England
- be 18 or over (16 or 17 in some areas)
You do not need a diagnosed mental health condition [2]. In some areas you may be able to refer yourself without being registered with a GP [2].
The programme began in 2008 [3]. One of its key principles is routine outcome monitoring at each session, so that you and the person working with you have up-to-date information on your progress [3].
Scotland
Your GP practice. If your GP practice is open, that is the first place to go for help [5]. Phone the practice and ask how they can help [5].
When your GP practice is closed. If you cannot wait for your usual services to reopen, phone NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option [5]. The NHS 24 Mental Health Hub can help you find the right care, point you to self-care options, or refer you to A&E or 999 if needed [5]. You will not be charged for the call, and it will not appear on your bill [5].
Breathing Space. A free phone line for anyone in Scotland over 16 who is feeling low, anxious or depressed, on 0800 83 85 87 [6]. It is open Monday to Thursday from 6pm to 2am, and from 6pm Friday to 6am Monday [6].
Wales
Your GP practice. In Wales, your GP can refer you to the local primary mental health support service for your area. When your GP refers you, those services have a legal duty to assess you [7].
In Cwm Taf Morgannwg, for example, the service offers assessments and mainly short-term psychological help, one to one or in groups, for people with mild to moderate mental health problems [8]. It needs an up-to-date referral from your GP practice before it can offer an assessment [8]. Ask your own practice how it works where you live.
111 press 2. For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 and select option 2 [9]. More on this below.
Northern Ireland
Your GP. An assessment usually begins with your GP, who may treat you directly or refer you to mental health services [11].
Lifeline. Lifeline is the crisis response helpline for everyone in Northern Ireland, on 0808 808 8000 [12]. It can arrange an appointment for face-to-face counselling or other therapies in your area within seven days [12].
If you need help urgently
In an emergency in any nation, if someone's life is at risk or you cannot keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E [4][5][10][12].
England. Call 111 and select the mental health option [4]. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone [4].
Scotland. Phone NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option [5].
Wales. Call 111 and press option 2. It is free from a landline or mobile, even with no credit left, and open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for all ages [9]. In life-threatening situations, always call 999 or go to the nearest emergency department [10].
Northern Ireland. Call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000, free and open 24 hours every day [12]. You can also make an emergency appointment with your GP or the GP out-of-hours service [12].
Anywhere in the UK: