Places for additional support

My work supports those who have experienced trauma and shame but is not talking therapy and is not suitable for anybody in crisis, please find below some alternative areas of support if this is you. This is not a complete list but one that may be supportive for you where you feel appropriate. This is for UK only, please seek alternatives in your own country where necessary or needed.

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Immediate or Life-Threatening Risk

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If you are at immediate risk of harming yourself or others, or you are very acutely unwell, please seek urgent support.

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• 999: For life‑threatening emergencies or if you have already harmed yourself.

• A&E: Ask for the duty psychiatrist or mental health liaison team.

• NHS 111: 24/7; in England, you can call 111 and choose the mental health option to reach a crisis team.

 

If your safety is at risk or you feel unable to keep yourself safe, please contact 999, go to A&E, or call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.

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Mental Health Crisis (But not life threatening)

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If you are in crisis or significant distress, having suicidal thoughts, or at risk in any way, please reach out to any of the below:

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• NHS urgent mental health helplines: Each area has a 24/7 crisis line or team.

• GP: Urgent same‑day appointment to discuss mental health, medication, and referral to secondary services.

• Samaritans: 24/7 listening support on 116 123 (free).

• Shout: Free 24/7 text support by texting “SHOUT” to 85258.

• SANEline: Evening mental health helpline (0300 304 7000, 4pm–10pm).

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Ongoing NHS Mental Health Support

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If you are needing more structured assessment or treatment:

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• NHS Talking Therapies (IAPT): Self‑referral online for anxiety, depression, PTSD and related difficulties, or referral via GP.

• Community Mental Health Teams / secondary mental health services – accessed via GP or crisis teams for more complex, high‑risk or enduring conditions.

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Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-based Violence

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If you are experiencing abuse, or fear you may be harmed at home or in a relationship:

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• National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge): 0808 2000 247, 24/7, for women and children.

• Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327, for male survivors of domestic abuse.

• National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline (Galop): 0800 999 5428.

• Women’s Aid: Information, webchat, and local services directory.

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Finding Regulated Talking-Therapy Professionals

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For ongoing psychotherapy or psychiatric assessment, you can search for an accredited therapist via the Professional Standards Authority ‘Find a Register’ tool or through bodies such as BACP, UKCP, BABCP, NCPS, HGI, or UKAHPP:

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• Professional Standards Authority “Find a Register”: Shows all UK accredited practitioner registers, including counselling and psychotherapy.

• BACP / UKCP / BABCP / NCPS / HGI / UKAHPP etc: Each holds a register of accredited counsellors and psychotherapists; UKCP and UKAHPP explicitly note their registers are PSA‑accredited.

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