Self-Help Resources
Links
Feel Better
www.kpchr.org/feelbetter
Living Life to the Full
www.livinglifetothefull.com
MoodGym
www.moodgym.anu.edu.au
Triumph Over Phobia
www.topuk.org
Borderline UK
www.borderlineuk.co.uk
BPD World
www.bpdworld.org
National Phobics’ Society
www.phobics-society.org.uk
National Self-Harm Network
www.nshn.co.uk
Sign Health
www.signhealth.org.uk
Mental Health Forum
www.mentalhealthforum.net
Local Contacts
Alcoholics Anonymous
General Service Office: 01904 644026
Cambridge Helpline: 01603 621128 (24 hours)
National Helpline: 0845 76 97 555
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
For general information ring the General Service Office between 9.00am - 5.00pm Mondays to Thursdays or between 9.00am - 4.30pm Fridays.
Alcoholics Anonymous 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. There are regular group meetings.
Al-Anon Family Groups UK and Eire
61 Great Dover Street
London
SE1 4YF
Tel: 020 7403 0888
Email: enquiries@al-anonuk.org.uk
Website: www.al-anonuk.org.uk
Al-Anon is worldwide and offers understanding and support for families and friends of problem drinkers, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.
Alateen, a part of Al-Anon, is for young people aged 12-17 who have been affected by someone else’s drinking, usually that of a parent. For details of meetings throughout the UK and Eire please contact the helpline.
Cam-Mind
100 Chesterton Road
Cambridge
CB4 1ER
Tel: 01223 311320
Email: admin@cam-mind.org.uk
Website: www.cam-mind.org.uk/
Cam-Mind is a voluntary organisation affiliated to Mind. It runs community groups, supported housing and a befriending scheme for people with mental health problems.
Cambridge MDF Bipolar Self-Help Group
C/o 6 Beechwood Avenue
Melbourn
Cambridge
SG8 6BH
Email: mdf@mdfcambridge.org.uk
Website: www.mdfcambridge.org.uk
Contact the group on 0845 434 9780 (evenings and weekends preferred, may be answering machine at other times) or write to the Secretary at the above address.
The group gives support to people with manic depression, their families and carers. They usually have monthly meetings, some with specialist speakers. They also produce a newsletter, useful information and support from other members. Contact them for details.
COPE
(Cambridge Older People’s Enterprise)
40 Stretten Avenue
Cambridge
CB4 3EP
Tel: 01223 364 303
Email: cambridgecope@hotmail.co.uk
Website: www.cambridgecope50.org
COPE is a voluntary self-help forum and social events, publishes regular newsletters and signposts other organisations of interest to members. Membership is free.
Friends of Fulbourn Hospital and the Community
11 Highfield Gate
Fulbourn
Cambridge
CB21 5HA
Tel: 01223 881267
Email: info@fofhc.org.uk
Website: www.fofhc.org.uk
This is a charity which supports the care, welfare, recovery and integration of mental illness sufferers who are, or have been, associated with Fulbourn Hospital. It provides extra facilities in the hospital, organises ward parties and helps individual patients. In the community it offers financial and other support, advises and supports carers and informs public debate on mental health issues. It runs the Forum Lunch Club and the award winning Millennium Arts Project.
Gamblers Anonymous
PO Box 5382
London
W1A 6SA
Tel: 08700 508880 (24-hour helpline for support and advice)
Website: www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk
This is a self-help organisation for compulsive gamblers. There is a Cambridge group that meets on Wednesday evenings at the Shirley Community Wing, Nuffield Road, Cambridge CB4 1TF from 7.30 to 9.30pm. Newcomers are welcome to drop in.
Lifecraft
The Bath House
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LW
Tel: 01223 566957
Email: info@lifecraft.org.uk
Website: www.lifecraft.org.uk
Lifecraft, a local self-help organization led by users and ex-users of mental health services, provides the following services:
For all:
- Lifeline, Cambridgeshire Mental Health Helpline. FREEPHONE 0808 808 2121, open nightly 7.00pm – 11.00pm, 365 days of the year.
- Mental Health Information Service. Phone or come in Monday to Friday 1.00pm – 4.00pm.
For members (membership is free):
- Social club 4.00pm – 7.00pm Monday to Thursday, 3.00pm –7.00pm Friday
- Weekly activity groups - women's, men's, poetry, music, art, singing
- Counselling
- Quarterly newsletter, Frontline News
- Campaigns and South Cambs User Forum
Narcotics Anonymous
Tel: 0845 373 3366
Email: NAHelpline@ukna.org
NA is a non-profit Fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean. The only requirement for membership is the desire to stop using.
The helpline is open from 10am to 10pm every day and an out-of hours home divert system runs a 24-hour service. There are several regular meetings in Cambridge which can be found on the website.
Overeaters Anonymous
Tel: 07740421177 (Sarah)
Tel: 07000 784985 (National Service Board)
Website: www.oagb.org.uk
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 disorder, whether bulimia, anorexia or compulsive overeating. Meetings are currently being held in Cambridge and St. Neots.
- Cambridge: held on Thursday 7.30pm - 9.00pm at Community Hall, George Pateman Court, Tenison Road, Cambridge.
- St. Neots Group: held on Tuesday, 7.30pm – 9.00pm and Sunday 7.30pm – 9.00pm at Open Door, 281 Great North Road, Eaton Socon, St. Neots (opposite Eaton Socon Health Centre).
South Cambs Users Forum (SCUF)
The voice for people in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire who have experienced mental health services.
SCUF
c/o Lifecraft
The Bath House
Gwydir Street
Cambridge
CB1 2LW
Tel: 01223 566957
Email: info@scuf.org.uk
Website: www.scuf.org.uk
SCUF is a Forum for people in Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire who have experienced mental health services, enabling people to share their views and experiences to build a collective User Voice that aims to bring about positive change.
SCUF members are invited to share their experiences of mental health services (positive and negative) in a way that feels comfortable for them. This could be via the forum on the SCUF website, at monthly meetings, one-to-one in person, over the phone or in writing. There are also lots of other opportunities for involvement. For example, on a monthly basis members are sent information about relevant forthcoming meetings and events, including the minutes and agenda of SCUF meetings. Members are also regularly updated on opportunities for involvement in campaign work and statutory sector development, delivery and evaluation. Membership is free and available on completion of a membership form. Membership forms are available on-line or by post. SCUF is funded by Cambridge City Council and Comic Relief and managed by Lifecraft.
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.
Beat - Beating Eating Disorders
Wensum House
103 Prince of Wales Road
Norwich
NR1 1DW
Telephone: 0870 770 3256 (Administration)
Email: info@b-eat.co.uk
Website: www.b-eat.co.uk
Adult Helpline:Telephone: 0845 634 1414 (charged at local rate from BT lines, other lines may vary)
Email: help@b-eat.co.uk
Helpline is open 10.30am - 8.30pm Monday to Friday, 1.00pm - 4.30pm Saturday.
Youth Helpline (25 yrs and under): Telephone: 0845 634 7650 (charged at local rate from BT lines, other lines may vary)
Email: fyp@b-eat.co.uk
Helpline is open 4.30pm - 8.30pm Monday to Friday, 1.00pm - 4.30pm Saturday.
Beat is a national charity offering information, help and support to people whose lives are affected by eating disorders, in particular anorexia and bulimia. It aims to campaign to improve standards of treatment and care and to raise awareness of eating disorders and related issues. Other services include a UK wide network of self-help and support groups, postal and telephone contacts, and membership, which includes a regular newsletter, a range of information leaflets, posters and books. Currently, there is no self-help group in Cambridge. The nearest of the self- help groups are in: Norwich, Kings Lynn and Ipswich (see website for details).
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. They 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.
Depression-UK
Box D-UK Self Help Nottingham
Ormiston House
32-36 Pelham Street
Nottingham
NG1 2EG
Tel: 0870 774 4320 (National Information Line)
Email: info@depressionuk.org
Website: www.depressionuk.org
Depression UK is a national self-help/ mutual aid organisation for those with depression and for family and friends. Contacts via pen friend scheme, phone friends, quarterly newsletter, leaflets and booklist.
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
SANE has three objectives:
- To raise awareness and respect for people with mental illness and their families and secure better services
To undertake research into the causes of serious mental illness through The Prince of Wales International Centre for SANE Research
To provide help and information to those experiencing mental health problems, their families and carers through SANElin and SANEmail
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.
