Reach out
You are important. If you're struggling with your mental health, please remember you are not alone and there is help out there for you. You are worth helping. It isn't always easy to know where to turn, so here are some useful resources I've either used myself or have been recommended along the way...
Go to A&E
Call 999 and ask for an ambulance if you don't feel safe
NHS : 111 (England)
NHS Direct : 0845 46 47 (Wales)
Contact your GP
Samaritans : 116 123
SANE : 0845 767 800 or email sanemail@sane.org.uk or www.sane.org.uk
SANEline : 0300 304 7000
CALM : 0800 58 58 58
Mind : 0300 123 3393 or www.mind.org.uk
The Mental Health Foundation : www.mentalheath.org.uk
Royal College of Psychiatrists : www.rcpsych.ac.uk
Papyrus HopelineUK (if you're under 35) : Call 0800 068 4141 or text 07860 039 967
Switchboard (for LGBTQIA+ community) : 0300 330 0630
Shout Crisis Text Line : Text "SHOUT" to 85258
Anxiety UK : 03444 775 774 or text 07537 416 905 or go to www.anxietyuk.org.uk
No Panic : https://www.nopanic.org.uk/ or 0300 772 9844
Rethink Mental Illness : 0808 801 0525 or www.rethink.org
National Self Harm Network : www.nshn.co.uk
Young Minds (information on child and adolescent mental health for parents and professionals) : youngminds.org.uk
Kooth : https://kooth.com for online mental health services for children, young people and adults
Alcoholics Anonymous : 0800 917 7650
Narcotics Anonymous : 0300 999 1212
Cocaine Anonymous : 0800 612 0225
OCD UK : 01332 588 112 or www.ocduk.org
Beat Eating disorders : England - 0808 801 0677 or DM @beatedsupport on Instagram or go to beateatingdisorders.org.uk for a web chat or to find the phone number for your area outside of England.
The Mesothelioma Centre : https://www.asbestos.com/support/mental-health/ for support for cancer patients and their families who are dealing with mental health issues.
As well as mental health, I talk a lot about domestic abuse and sexual violence in my poetry. If you're worried about a situation you're in, I'm encouraging you (with all of the love and understanding in the world) to reach out to someone you trust. Here are some important contacts...
999
101
Refuge : 0808 200 0247
RSVP : 0121 643 0301 or rsvporg.co.uk
Respect Men’s Advice Line : 0808 8010 327
Mankind Initiative : 01823 334 244
National Helpline for LGBT+ Victims and Survivors of Abuse and Violence : 0800 999 5428 or galop.org.uk
SurvivorsUK - support for men, boys and non-binary people : www.survivorsuk.org or textphone 020 3322 1860
Women’s Aid : Live chat or email via www.womensaid.org.uk
Sistah Space : sistahspace.org supports African & Caribbean heritage women affected by domestic and sexual abuse
Rape Crisis England and Wales : 0808 500 2222
National Centre for Domestic Violence : 0800 970 2070 or text NCDV to 60777
NSPCC (Dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty) : Phone 0800 1111 if you're 18 or under, or 0808 800 5000 if you are an adult concerned about a child.
Victim Support : 08 08 16 89 111
Karma Nirvana (Forced marriage and honour crimes) : 0800 5999 247
Crime Stoppers : 0800 555 111
Netflix (includes information on finding support and Netflix shows which touch on certain topics that might be helpful or relatable) : www.wannatalkaboutit.com
Hot Peach Pages : https://www.hotpeachpages.net/ An international directory of abuse hotlines including the option of searching for crisis resources in over 115 different languages.