Mental Health Services—Women
There are several organisations which provide services exclusively for women. Not all of them are designed specifically for women with mental health problems, but you can use them if you have mental health problems.
Local Contacts
Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre
Box R, 12 Mill Road
Cambridge
CB1 2AD
Tel: 01223 245888
They provide information, advice and support for women survivors of rape and sexual abuse and those supporting them. Telephone and face-to-face support offered. Phone Wednesdays 7.00 - 9.00om, answerphone at other times.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary
The Family Unit
Huntingdon Police Station
Ferrars Road
Huntingdon
PE29 3DQ
Tel: 0845 456 4564
This unit consists of child protection officers and domestic violence officers. People in need can contact the unit directly. Phone 9.00am-5.00pm, Monday to Friday and 9.00am-4.00pm on Saturday.
Choices for Women
91 Cherry Hinton Road
Cambridge
CB1 7BS
Tel: 01223 416616r
They offer a free and confidential counselling service for those whose lives are affected by child sexual abuse. There is a telephone helpline (01223 471574) and support/self help groups for survivors. Information/supervision group for workers and training on the effects of sexual abuse. There is a comprehensive library on the effects of child sexual abuse and recovery. All books, articles and videos are available on loan. The office is open Monday to Thursday, an answerphone is available when office unmanned. Women can refer themselves.
Corona House (Cambridge Women and Homelessness Group)
1 Corona Road
Cambridge
CB4 3EE
Tel: 01223 369125
Email: corona.cwhg@virgin.net
The group runs two houses for homeless women without dependants. Corona House is a six-bed hostel providing temporary accommodation, with support and there is a ‘move on’ house which provides permanent accommodation for two residents. Support is also provided for 30 ex-residents now living in the community and there is an informal drop-in service for ex-residents. Support during office hours and an emergency contact number at other times. Women can refer themselves, but referrals also come from other agencies.
Post-Natal Depression Support Group
The Lounge
Free Church Centre
Market Hill
St Ives
Tel: 01480 515130
This is a therapeutic group which forms part of the Working Together Project in St Ives which provides a service for women who experience depression during pregnancy and post-natal depression or related illness following childbirth. Support and treatment is provided individually and also the group provides the opportunity for those to meet and share experiences with women of similar circumstances. The group is open also to women who may be suffering but have not been formally identified and referred. The group meets on Thursdays between 1.30pm - 3.30pm. There is a creche facility. Information can also be obtained from your health visitor or midwife.
St. Neots Abuse Project (SNAP)
P.O.Box 57
St Neots
PE19 1AA
Tel: 01480 396500
11am-11pm everyday
Email: anne@snapdomesticviolence.org.uk
Website: www.snapdomesticviolence.org.uk
This provides a confidential telephone helpline for all victims of violence in the home. It provides emotional support and practical help for those in need.
National Contacts
The Beaumont Society
27 Old Gloucester Street
London
WC1N 3XX
Information Line: 01582 412220
Website: www.beaumontsociety.org.uk
This organisation is run for, and by, people who like to wear the clothes of the opposite gender and people who may be Transsexual. There are members throughout the country, with local groups in most areas.
Bristol Crisis Service for Women
PO Box 654
Bristol
BS99 1XH
Tel: 0117 925 1119 (helpline)
Email: bcsw@btconnect.com
Website: www.users.zetnet.co.uk/bcsw/
This service is for women in emotional distress, particularly those who injure themselves. They provide a range of booklets on topics such as ‘Self-help for self-injury’. There is a helpline on Friday and Saturday evenings 9.00pm-12.30am and Sunday 6pm –9pm. They also support and run self-help groups and provide work-shops and training for professionals working with people who self-injure.
Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths
Tel: 020 7233 2090
9am-11pm Monday-Friday, 6pm-11pm weekends and Bank Holidays
Email: office@fsid.org.uk
Website: www.fsid.org.uk
London Lesbian and Gay Switchboard (LLGS)
PO Box 7324
London
N1 9QS
Tel: 020 7837 7324
Recruitment hotline: 020 7837 7606
Website: www.llgs.org.uk
Email: admin@llgs.org.uk or www.queery.org.uk
LLGS provides a 24-hour telephone service to act as a source of information, support and referral to lesbians and gay men or anyone who needs to consider lesbian or gay issues.
Miscarriage Association
Tel: 01924 200799
They provide support for women and their families around the issue of miscarriage. For your local support group please ring the above number.
National Women's Mental Health Infoline
Threshold
14 St George’s Place
Brighton
BN1 4GB
Tel: 01273 626444 (Office)
Infoline: 0808 808 6000
Email: info@thresholdwomen.org.uk
Website: www.bht.org.uk
Contact opening hours are:
- Monday, Wednesday 10am-12pm and 2pm-4.30pm
- Tuesday, Thursday 2pm-4.30pm
- 24 hours answerphone at other times
National infoline is run by women for women. It provides information for women with mental health difficulties and their carers. Women who are emotionally distressed, people working in the mental health field or anyone with an enquiry about women’s mental health. Includes information on self help and support groups, counselling and therapy organisations, statutory services (e.g. day centres), legal centres, medication and complementary therapies. All calls charged at local rate. Service covers UK.
Women’s Aid National Helpline
Tel: 0808 2000 247
For women who feel trapped in an abusive relationship. For support, information and advice please telephone the above number.
