get help

This section gives you details of organisations that can provide help and support in lots of different ways, such as helplines, support groups, drop-in centres or clinics.

National contacts
If you do have a problem you can't cope with by yourself, phoning a helpline can be an important first step to getting help. Helplines are usually confidential (you can always ask when you call them), and their advisers receive special training – and won't be shocked or surprised by anything you say. Check out their opening hours, phone when it suits you, and if you don't want to continue the call at any point, you can always put the phone down.

Local centres
Local support groups and drop-in centres are where you can meet people in your area who are going through similar experiences to you. They provide a safe environment to meet people who understand – what you say when you're there won't go any further.

If you can't find what you are looking for under your local search, check if there is a relevant national organisation or helpline as they may hold details of local contacts.

Websites
These can provide help and information 24 hours a day if you have access to the internet at home or at an internet café (you can look these up in your local phone book under 'internet providers and services). You local library may also be online. Some organisations can email back to you with specific answers to questions, plus there are email chat rooms where you can share your experiences. Remember: chat rooms are not always confidential and other people using them might not be as supportive as those who are trained to offer help.

Reading
Many of the organisations listed in our directory also publish books and booklets. It is often worth contacting a relevant organisation to see if it has the specific information you require. There is a huge selection of books, reports and other literature on the subject of illness. A few are listed here. You can find others by visiting your local library or bookshop or by looking at bookshop websites, such as Amazon.