Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health

Information about mental health

The Sainsbury Centre for Mental Health can not respond to individual medical queries. If you are at all concerned about your health or the health of a friend or relative we advise you to contact your doctor or find information from one of the sources below.

Helplines

Samaritans

08457 90 90 90 (local rate), 24 hours a day
email: jo@samaritans.org, web: www.samaritans.org
24-hour helpline for suicidal people or those concerned about someone

Saneline

0845 767 8000 (local rate)
Open 6pm - 11pm every day or you can email sanemail@sane.org.uk
Offer support mainly for carers but also service users in crisis situations; can provide information on local services, treatment options, etc.

Rethink

National Advice Service - 020 8974 6814
Open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Friday or e-mail advice@rethink.org
General enquiries - 0845 456 0455

Rethink works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. It provides effective services and support and campaigns for change through greater awareness and understanding. Visit www.rethink.org.

Mind InfoLine

08457 660 163 (local rate)
Open Monday to Friday 9.15am to 5.15pm
Offer advice and support to service users; have network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help and assistance (details should be in local directories and libraries)

NHS Direct

0845 46 47
Web: www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Scotland - 0845 4 24 24 24 Web: www.nhs24.com

Young Minds

Parents Information Service 0800 018 2138
Mondays 10am-1pm, Tuesdays 1-4pm, Wednesdays 1-4pm and 6-8pm, Thursdays 1-4pm, Fridays 10am-1pm
Web: www.youngminds.org.uk
Provide information and advice for anyone concerned about a child or young person's mental health

Carers UK

Helpline - 0808 808 7777
Open Wednesday and Thursday, 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm
Information, advocacy and network of local groups for carers of all kinds

beat - Beating Eating Disorders

Helpline for adults - 0845 634 1414
Mon - Fri 4:00pm to 8:30pm and Sat 1:00pm to 4:30pm

beat - Beating Eating Disorders

Helpline for young people - 0845 634 7650
Mon - Fri 10:30am to 8:30pm and Sat 1:00pm to 4:30pm

Alcoholics Anonymous

helpline 08457 697555
Offer advice and support on alcohol issues

Release

020 7729 9904
10am-5.30 weekdays; 020 7603 8654 evenings, weekdays and holidays
Offer advice and provide services for people using drugs and those who work with them

Alzheimer's Society

helpline 0845 300 0336
Information about Alzheimer's Disease and dementia issues

Prisoners families helpline

0808 808 2003 (freephone) or visit www.prisonersfamilieshelpline.org.uk
Provides information for families and friends of prisoners.

Action for prisoners' families

helpline 0808 808 2003 or visit www.actionpf.org.uk
Provides information about support services for prisoners' families and raises awareness of relevant issues surrounding prisoners families.

NACRO resettlement plus helpline

0800 0181 259 (freephone) or email helpline@nacro.org.uk
Provides information for prisoners who have been released from prison.

Conditions and treatment

Rethink
has an excellent site aimed at carers: www.rethinkcarers.org

Mind
has factsheets on specific conditions - www.mind.org.uk

The Mental Health Foundation
has lots of information - www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Depression Alliance
- www.depressionalliance.org/

beat - Beating Eating Disorders
- www.b-eat.co.uk

Hearing Voices Network
- www.hearing-voices.org/

Local support and advocacy groups

Mind
- a national network of local branches for people with mental health problems - www.mind.org.uk

Rethink
- runs local services, mainly support for carers - www.rethink.org

Depression Alliance
has a national network of support groups for people with depression - www.depressionalliance.org/

No Panic:
helpline 0808 808 0545 10am-10pm daily - offer support for people experiencing panic attacks, phobias, etc

Manic Depression Fellowship
- support network for people with bipolar disorders: office phone number 020 7793 2600 weekdays 9am-5pm

Hearing Voices Network
helpline 0161 834 5768 - advice and a network of local groups available to people who hear voices, their carers and workers

UKAN
- network of local advocacy groups mainly led by service users, office phone 0114 272 8171

Other sources

Plus in most places people may be able to get assistance from:

• The PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service) which should now be available in every NHS trust in England to deal with any concerns or complaints for service users, relatives and carers;
• Citizens' Advice Bureaux: to offer advice and information on issues such as benefits, health services, housing, consumer/employment rights, etc.

Complaints about the NHS

Serious concerns about NHS care can be directed to:

• The complaints service at the NHS trust concerned (in the first instance: details should be available locally);
• The Health Service Ombudsman: initial enquiries can be made to 0845 015 4033 or 020 7217 4051; complaints must be in writing (for serious cases or complaints that have not been addressed properly);
• Their local MP (via constituency surgery or by phone: details locally) or council member.