Mental Health Support in the UK: Where to Start
If you are struggling with your mental health, knowing where to start can be the hardest part. The UK offers a patchwork of support, from the NHS to charities to private options, and the right route depends on your situation. This guide maps the main sources of help in plain English, so you can find the one that fits you.
Start with your GP
Your GP is the front door to most NHS mental health care. They can assess your symptoms, rule out physical causes, prescribe medication when appropriate, and refer you to specialist services. Appointments may be by phone or video, but the service is the same. Before you go, write down what has changed, how long it has been going on, and how it affects your daily life; it makes the appointment far more productive.
NHS talking therapies
Most of England and Wales runs a self-referral service for common problems such as anxiety and depression, often still called IAPT or, more recently, NHS Talking Therapies. You can refer yourself without seeing a GP, and the service offers CBT, counselling and guided self-help, usually within weeks. Cognitive behavioural therapy is the most common option and works on practical skills rather than open-ended talking.
| Service | Who it is for | How to access |
|---|---|---|
| GP | Assessment, medication, referral | Book an appointment |
| NHS Talking Therapies | Anxiety and depression | Self-referral online or by phone |
| Samaritans | Anyone in distress, 24/7 | Call 116 123, free |
| Shout | Text support for any age | Text SHOUT to 85258 |
| Charities and helplines | Specific conditions and groups | Direct, often free |
Crisis support and helplines
If you feel unable to cope or have thoughts of self-harm, you do not wait weeks: contact NHS 111, Samaritans on 116 123, or your local crisis team, and if the risk is immediate, call 999 or go to A&E. In Scotland, NHS 24 is the equivalent of NHS 111. Charities such as Mind, CALM and SANE all run helplines, and Shout provides text support around the clock.
Charities and peer support
Organisations such as Mind, Rethink and Anxiety UK offer information, helplines and local support groups where you can talk to people with lived experience. Peer support is often the least intimidating starting point, because there is no assessment and no waiting list. Condition-specific charities, such as those for OCD or bipolar disorder, provide expert information alongside community.
Private therapy and other options
If NHS waiting lists are too long, private therapy with an accredited therapist is an alternative, and many offer reduced rates or online sessions. Your GP can also suggest workplace support, employee assistance programmes and occupational health. Community pharmacies can help with sleep problems, nicotine or alcohol support, and medication queries; a local pharmacist is a good first stop for practical questions.
Supporting someone else
If you are reading this for someone else, start by asking, without trying to fix anything, and listen. Offer practical help, such as going with them to the GP, and learn the warning signs that indicate urgent help is needed. Our article on common mental health myths can help you respond to doubts they may have about seeking care, and our guide to stress management has ideas you can use together. Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness, and the sooner it happens the better the outcome. Always check with a pharmacist or GP before changing any treatment.