Self-Help Resources
Links
Feel Better
www.kpchr.org/feelbetter
Living Life to the Full
www.livinglifetothefull.com
MoodGym
www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
Local Contacts
Alcoholics Anonymous, Cambridgeshire
Helpline: 01603 621128
General Service Office 01904 644026 Mondays - Thursday from 9.00am-5.00pm and Fridays from 9.00am-4.30pm.
They are a voluntary fellowship of people who are alcoholics and who help each other to achieve and maintain sobriety by sharing experiences and mutual support.
CUSU LesBIGay Society
Tel: 01223 740777
Email: online@cusu.lbgt.com
Website: www.cusu-lbgt.com
This service is open to all Cambridge University Students providing welfare support, a positive social environment and political forum for lesbian, bisexual and gay students. It hosts a variety of events throughout the year, provides publications and runs a number of welfare schemes. The phoneline is staffed by trained volunteers drawn from LesBIGay's membership on Tuesdays during term time from 8.00pm-10.00pm.
HealthLink
Education Centre Library
Hinchingbrooke NHS Trust
Huntingdon
PE29 6NT
Tel: 01480 416114
Website: www.health-link.org.uk
HealthLink is a consumer health information service. It is free and confidential. HealthLink can help you to find information on health related issues such as:
Medical conditions, treatments and procedures and local and national support organisations. Open Mon-Fri 9.00am-5.00pm. HealthLink cannot offer medical advice or advice on benefits.
Health Promotion
Education Centre Library
Hinchingbrooke NHS Trust
Huntingdon
PE29 6NT
Tel: 01480 415371
The Health Promotion resources Service aims to support the health promoting activities and professional development of professionals, individuals, students and staff who have a role in health promotion. They provide a wide range of leaflets, posters, videos, books, teaching materials and equipment such as display boards, overhead projectors and TV/Video players. They are also involved in the planning of some of the main National Health Education Campaigns. Membership is open, free of charge, to anyone within or outside the NHS.
People of Potential (Formerly Hunts User Forum)
The Limes
24 New Street
St. Neots
Cambs
PE19 1AJ
Tel: 01480 470480
Email: enquiries@huntsmind.org.uk
this group was formed in January 1999. It is for users and ex-users of mental health services and run by them and is supported by Hunts Mind. Individual members are from all walks of life with experience and knowledge of the mental health services in Huntingdonshire.
POPs's mission statement is "together we use our experiences to support and help other users improve and develop mental health services. Through information, we aim to bring about empowerment to change, while promoting acceptance in mental health issues".
Hunts Mind
The Limes
24 New Street
St. Neots
Cambs
PE19 1AJ
Tel: 01480 470480
Email: communityprojectmanager@huntsmind.org.uk
Website: www.huntsmind.org.uk
Hunts Mind is a local voluntary organisation,affiliated to National Mind, run by a team of staff in conjunction with volunteers and service users.
They currently provide:
- Peer Focused Support - such as Borderline Personality Disorder Group
- Social Support - known as Open Door Groups which are held during the day and evenings
- Rural Development - a project that specifically supports people in the most rural areas, such as Ramsey and Warboys.
- Skills Builder and Focused Groups - such as the Allotment group. Apron Strings (cookery), the Rock Group, Sports and Computer/Media and Newsletter Group.
- Counselling & Therapy - 1:1 counselling and group therapy through Art.
- Volunteering - supporting people to volunteer within our service or to other local agencies or organisations.
- Information - we have a wide range of information on mental health issues and related topics for service users, carers and the general public at our main office at The Limes and also at satellite points located at various points around the vicinity.
Hunts Mind will not discriminate against any individual based on diagnosis but will provide services in accordance with service users needs. It is expected that the majority of service users will experience mild to moderate mental health problems. However more acutely unwell individuals will not be excluded from the service.
Due to their current funding criteria, the age range for service users is 17 - 65 and they encourage people to self refer. If you would like to become a service user or refer someone then please contact the Project Worker Team on the number above.
Hunts Mind aims are to raise the profile of mental health issues in the community and to combat prejudice and misinformation. They also aim to empower current and past service users to become involved in the development of the organisation at every level.
Hunts Mind supports and facilitates the Hunts User Forum, People of Potential.
A close working partnership with local health providers also increases the opportunities for people to engage in sports and leisure activities using their local facilities.
National Contacts
Alcoholics Anonymous
National Helpline: 0845 76 97 555
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
They are a voluntary fellowship of people who are alcoholics and who help each other to achieve and maintain sobriety by sharing experiences and mutual support.
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.
The Depression Alliance
212 Spitfire Studios
66-71 Collier Street
London N19BE
Tel: 0845 123 2320
Email: information@depressionalliance.org
Website: www.depressionalliance.org
Depression Alliance is the leading UK charity for people with depression. We work to relieve and to prevent this treatable condition by providing information, support and understanding to those who are affected by it.
A member-led organisation, we have offices in England, Scotland and Wales. We co-ordinate a national network of self-help groups so that people with depression can share experiences and coping strategies with others in similar situations, and produce a unique series of free publications which provide information on depression and related topics. We also offer a range of mutual support services for our members, including a pen friend scheme, correspondence service and email group.
Beating Eating Disorders (BEAT)
103 Prince of Wales Road
Norwich
NR1 1DW
Tel: 0870 770 3256
Website: www.edauk.com
Email: info@edauk.com
Helpline: 0845 6341414 8.30am-8.30pm Monday-Friday
Youthline: 0845 6347650 4.00-6.30pm Monday-Friday
A national charity offering information, help and support for people affected by eating disorders and, in particular, anorexia and bulimia nervosa. It aims to campaign to improve standards of treatment and care and to raise awareness of eating disorders and related issues.
Services include:
- General helpline open from 8.30am-8.30pm Monday to Friday
- UK wide network of self-help and support groups, postal and telephone contacts
- Membership which includes a regular newsletter
- A range of information leaflets, posters and books
- Youthline helpline and support service for young people aged 18 years and under open 4.00pm-6.30pm every day.
Families Need Fathers
Tel: 0207 613 5060
Helpline 08707 607 496 6pm-10pm weekdays
Email: fnf@fnf.org.uk
Website: www.fnf.org.uk
A group of non-resident parents meeting every second Monday of the month.
First Steps To Freedom
Helpline: 0845 120 2916
Website: www.first-steps.org
Offers advice, support and counselling to people who suffer from phobias, general anxiety, obsessive compulsive disorder, panic attacks, eating disorders and people who wish to come off tranquillisers. Can also support their carers. Produces leaflets, booklets, videos & relaxation tapes. Available daily 10am-10pm.
Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths
Tel: 020 7233 2090 Helpline
9am - 11pm Monday-Friday, 6pm - 11pm weekends
Email: office@fsid.org.uk
Website: www.fsid.org.uk
Gamblers Anonymous
PO Box 5382
London
W1A 6SA
Tel: 0207384 3040 (24 hrs advice and support line)
Tel: 0762 694 7800 (free literature)
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
Gam-Anon for family and friends of compulsive gamblers is at the same telephone number.
Hearing Voices Network
79 Lever Street
Manchester
M1 1FL
Tel: 0845 122 8641
Email: info@hearing-voices.org
Website: www.hearing-voices.org
This is a support network for people who hear voices. They produce literature and organise meetings and conferences. There are self-help groups throughout the country. Contact the head office for more information.
MDF (The BiPolar Organisation)
Castleworks
21 St Georges Road
London
SE1 6ES
Tel: 08456 340 540 (UK only)
Tel: 0044 207 793 2639 (Rest of the World)
Email: mdf@mdf.org.uk
Website: www.mdf.org.uk
The Manic Depression Fellowship is the largest self help organisation in the UK for people who experience episodes of manic depression, and their families. They provide advice, support, specialist literature, and information on local self-help groups. Self-help groups offer members the opportunity to meet other people who have been through similar experiences, and they can help lessen the sense of isolation and provide a safe place. For effective treatment of manic depression, the right combination of medication, support and self-management is essential. By participation in self-help and self-management, members can regain autonomy, well-being and self-esteem.
Mind: National Association for Mental Health
Granta House
15-19 Broadway
Stratford
London
E15 4BQ
Tel: 020 8519 2122
Email: contact@mind.org.uk
Website: www.mind.org.uk
The leading mental health charity, providing information, mail-order books and leaflets, legal advice. Information helpline Mindinfile -08457 660 163 open 9.15am – 5.15pm Mondays to Fridays. Mindlink is the Mind group for users and ex-users of mental health services, providing newsletter and contact lists.
Miscarriage Association
c/o Clayton Hospital
Northgate
Wakefield
W. Yorks
WF1 3JS
Tel: 01924 200799
Email: info:miscarriageassociation.org.uk
Website: www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk
They provide support for women and their families around the issue of miscarriage. For your local support group please ring the above number.
National Self-harm Network
PO Box 7264
Nottingham
NG1 6WJ
Email: info@nshn.co.uk
Website: www.nshn.co.uk
Campaigns for the rights and understanding of people who self-harm.
National Women's Mental Health Infoline
Threshold
14 St George’s Place
Brighton
BN1 4GB
Tel: 01273 626444 (Office)
Tel: 0808 808 6000 Infoline
Email: infoline@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.
No Panic
Freephone Helpline: 0808 808 0545
10am - 10pm everyday
Website: www.no-panic.co.uk
You can phone to request an information pack on panic attacks, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorder and to find out the number of the day’s phone counsellor.
OCD Action
Davina House
Suites 506-507
137-149 Goswell Road
London ECIV 7ET
Tel: 0845 390 6232 Help and Information Line
Tel: 0870 360 6232 Office
Email: info@ocdaction.org.uk
Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD Action is an organisation which exists to advance awareness, research and treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder. You can write to them at the above address for information. You can also subscribe and become a member – for which you receive a regular newsletter, including information about self-help groups.
Overeaters Anonymous Cambridgeshire
Tel: 01480 353639
Contact: Alison
This is a confidential self-help group run along the same lines as Alcoholics Anonymous, with a structured 12-step programme of recovery. The group is for anyone who suffers from an eating problem - either anorexia, bulimia or compulsive overeating. Meetings are held on Monday evenings from 7.30pm at Oddfellows Hall, 131 Newmarket Road, Cambridge.
Rethink (National Schizophrenia Fellowship)
5th Floor
Royal London House
22- 25 Finsbury Square
London EC2A 1DX
Tel: 0845 456 0455
Email: info@rethink.org
Website: www.rethink.org
Anyone affected by mental illness can call their advice line (020 8974 6814) Mondays to Fridays, 10.00am-3.00pm for free independent advice and practical help.
SANDS
28 Portland Place
London
WIN 41LY
Helpline: 020 7436 5881
Email: support@uk-sands.org
Website: www.uk-sands.org
SANDS offer support to families who experience the death of a baby at or around the time of birth. They are not trained counsellors, and may refer on to other agencies where there are multiple problems (with the client’s consent). Befriending is by phone or visits; Monthly support meetings are by arrangement in member’s homes.
SANE
1st Floor Cityside House
40 Adler Street
London
E1 1EE
Tel: 020 7375 1002 Office
Helpline: 0845 767 8000 1 pm - 11pm
Email: info@sane.org.uk
Website: www.sane.org.uk
SCOPE
Tel: 0808 8003333 (freephone) - A National help line for people with cerebral palsy. They may refer to a local group if it would be useful
Tel: 01480 396500
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.
Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA)
PO Box 989
Steyning
BN44 3HG
Tel: 01903 814942
Website: www.sada.org.uk
SADA offers information and support to people who become depressed during the winter. Send a SAE for free information, £5 for a full information pack to the above address. SADA has a light hire scheme, newsletters, meetings, local groups and telephone contacts.
