We understand that sometimes people feel more comfortable accessing services which specialise in supporting those from particular communities, cultures, or require certain adjustments in order to support their own personal needs.
There are support services listed below for the following:
- BAME Support
- Disability Support
- LGBTUA+ Support
- Mental Health Support
- Multi-Faith Support
BAME SUPPORT
- African Sons and Daughters: African Sons and Daughters (ASD) is a non-profit organisation focused on the needs of members of the African community in the UK and the Worldwide African Diaspora.
- Chinese Information and Advice Centre: dedicated to helping Chinese women and families who are struggling or in distress.
- Chinese National Healthy Living Centre: telephone and other support services for the Chinese community. Multilingual health helpline offers advice and signposting on range of issues.
- Nour: provides Islamic support and advice through Islamic advisors (male and female) who are from a range of different Islamic schools of thought.
- The Asian Circle: a collective within The Circle, brings together UK-based Asian women from all walks of life who have a shared passion and commitment to addressing the issues facing dis-empowered women and girls in India and South Asia.
- The Sikh Helpline: established over 25 years ago, The Sikh Helpline has developed itself to be a trusted point of contact for members of the community in dealing with a range of issues, especially those linked to cultural and social taboos.
- CST: is Community Security Trust, a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. You can report antisemitism directly to CST, as well as receiving psychological support tailored to the Jewish community's needs.
- Muslim Women’s Network: operate a national specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential and non-judgmental, which offers information, support, guidance and referrals for those who are suffering from or at risk of abuse or facing problems on a range of issues.
- Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust: was founded on the premise that inequality must be tackled in all its forms. This includes inequality of access, and of opportunity, wherever it occurs.
The Trust are dedicated to transforming the life chances of young people and improving the world in which they live to enable them to develop and nurture their talent. - Tell Mama: are an independent, non-governmental organisation which works on tackling anti-Muslim hatred. The MAMA Project will provide a means for such incidents to be reported, recorded and analysed, working to ensure this data is accurate and reliable and the victims and witnesses affected receive support.
- Aanchal: 24 hour telephone helpline and services for Asian women who have experienced domestic violence, emotional support, group work and counselling.
- Ashiana Network: specialises in helping Black and Minority Ethnic women, in particular, women from South Asian, Turkish & Iranian communities, aged 16-30 years who are at risk of domestic violence and sexual violence.
- Imkaan: Imkaan is a UK-based, Black feminist organisation. We are the only national second-tier women’s organisation dedicated to addressing violence against Black and minoritised women and girls i.e. women and girls which are defined in policy terms as Black and ‘Minority Ethnic’ (BME).
- Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation (IKWRO): provide direct services to Middle Eastern and Afghan women and girls who are at risk of ‘honour’ based violence, forced marriage, child marriage, female genital mutilation and domestic violence.
- Jewish Women’s Aid: provides confidential, accessible, empowering and culturally sensitive advocacy and support for Jewish women and children affected by domestic violence.
- Latin American Women’s Rights Services: offers advice, advocacy and practical support to Latin American women who are experiencing or have experienced Domestic Violence, Harmful practices or any other form of violence.
- Latin American Women’s Aid: offers a range of support services, including refuge and outreach for Latin American and Black and minority ethnicity women and children.
- London Black Women’s Project (LBWP): a domestic violence organisation committed to ending all forms of violence against women and girls. LBWP provides women-only outcomes-focused services in safe and confidential space through a number of projects to BMER women and girls aged 12+.
- Sharan: is a U.K. based charity providing support and advice to vulnerable women, particularly of South Asian origin, who have been or are at risk of being disowned due to abuse or persecution.
- Black Thrive: an organisation that aims to end the stigma associated with mental health and address mental health inequalities experienced by Black communities.
- Chinese Mental Health Association: an organisation that is involved in providing direct services, increasing mental health awareness and representing Chinese mental health issues in public forums and raising its profile in the overall Chinese community.
- CIO: a group of individuals who are seeking to setup a network of information and service centres to help assist UK Indians gain access to help and support concerning mental health.
- Jami UK: Jami is the specialist provider of mental health services in the Jewish community.
- Muslim Community Helpline: a national organisation providing listening and emotional support service for members of the Muslim community in the UK.
- Sharing Voices: a charity in Bradford that aims to reduce mental health and related inequalities for BAME communities.
- Sikh Your Mind: aims to increase awareness of mental health difficulties in the Sikh community.
- The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network: are the UK’s largest independent organisation to specialise in working psychologically, informed by an understanding of intersectionality, with people who identify as Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean.
- ACACIA: this service provides free information/awareness raising sessions for individuals, families, community groups, professionals and anyone else who would like to receive information/training regarding perinatal mental health and BAME.
DISABILITY SUPPORT
- Action on Hearing Loss: is the largest charity representing the 11 million deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK. As a membership charity, they aim to achieve a radically better quality of life for deaf and hard of hearing people.
- Activity Alliance: working to make active lives possible with a vision that disabled people are active for life.
- ADDISS – The National Attention Deficit Disorder Information & Support Service: people friendly information and resources to anyone who needs assistance.
- Arc UK: a membership organisation, which supports providers of services to people with a learning disability to promote real change.
- Arc SafteyNet: a range of national resources related to Hate Crime and disability free to download and use.
- Change: a human rights organisation led by people with learning disabilities. They deliver training & produce accessible books, booklets, Picture Bank CD-ROMs & individual pictures.
- Disability Rights UK: is the leading charity of its kind in the UK, run by and for people with experience of disability or health conditions.
- Living Autism: information, advice, resources, on all issues relating to autism.
- Mencap: specialising in helping those with learning disability to lead fulfilling lives.
- National Autistic Society: offers an employment and training service for people with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who wish to work. Their aim is that people with an ASD should have the same training and employment opportunities as non-disabled people.
- Respond: helps children and adults with learning disabilities who have experienced abuse or trauma, as well as those who have abused others, through psychotherapy, advocacy and other support.
- Royal National Institute of the Blind: offers practical support and advice to anyone with a sight problem.
- Scope: A charity concerned with achieving equality for those with disabilities, particularly those affected by cerebral palsy.
- SignHealth the Deaf Health Charity: SignHealth aims to give Deaf people easier access to healthcare and information, as well as providing services which are not provided elsewhere.
- The Judith Trust: a trust that runs campaigns and supports research concerning those with both a mental illness and learning disability.
- Deaf Hope (from SignHealth): Deaf Hope provides practical and emotional support to deaf women who are experiencing, or are survivors of, domestic abuse.
- Outsiders Trust Sex and Disability Helpline: support on relationships, sexuality, dating and sexual services to all disabled people and a wide range of their therapists and health and social care professionals.
- Benefit Enquiry Line: information relating to benefits for people with disabilities.
- AFASIC: a parent-led organisation to help children and young people with speech and language impairments and their families including a helpline, publications, support groups, online message boards.
- EarlyBird (under five years), EarlyBird Plus (ages four-nine), Healthy Minds and Teen Life (ages 10 to 16): are support programmes for parents and carers, offering advice and guidance on strategies and approaches to working with young autistic children. Both programmes work on understanding autism, building confidence to encourage interaction and communication, and understanding and supporting behaviour.
- McIntyre Care: is a national charity providing education, care and support to both children and adults with learning disabilities.
LGBTUA+ Support
- Beaumont Society: a UK registered charity, their primary focus is the transgender individual.
- Being Gay is Ok: a service that gives online information and advice for under 25 year olds.
- Gender Network: working for respect for gender, gender identity and gender expression.
- Gendered Intelligence: exist to increase understandings of gender diversity through creative ways. They work with the trans community and those who impact on trans lives; and they particularly specialise in supporting young trans people aged 8-25.
- Gender Trust: For people whose lives are affected by gender identity issues.
- Stonewall: a charity that campaigns on issues affecting lesbian, gay and bisexual people.
- Stonewall Housing Advice: the advice branch of Stonewall which focuses on housing.
- The Asexual Visibility and Education Network: hosts the world's largest online asexual community as well as a large archive of resources on asexuality. Provides email to support to people who identify as asexual and their friends and family.
- The Lesbian & Gay Foundation: an organisation delivering community, health and support services to lesbian, gay and bisexual people in the UK.
- Trans Unite: is a comprehensive resource for people in the UK searching for support in the transgender community. The easy to use and mobile friendly website connects you to an established network of trans support groups both in your local area and those who offer online support.
- Antidote: a service that offers information and support exclusively to LGBT+ people around drugs, alcohol and addiction.
- Birmingham LBGT Centre: voluntary organisation providing advice and support to LGBT+ people in Birmingham. Offers counselling, well-being services and wide range of support groups.
- LGBT Health and Wellbeing: are a unique community initiative that promotes the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland.
- MindOut: a mental health service for LGBT+ people which provides advice, information, advocacy, peer support groups, mentoring and wellbeing events.
- Pink Therapy: has a directory listing qualified therapists throughout the UK who work with the LGBT+ community from a positive stance.
- Switchboard: A one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, email and instant messaging service.
- Brook Advisory: Brook's aims for young people to take control of their sexual health, enjoy healthy relationships and explore their identities.
- Gay Men Fight AIDs (GMFA): a gay men’s health charity and have booklets and workbooks that you can download for free. They are written by counsellors and cover topics exploring self-esteem and relationships. They also have information on HIV medication and offer a UK social, leisure and sports activities handbook called ‘The Guide’.
- Positively UK: talk to them about any aspect of your diagnosis, care and living with HIV.
- Terrence Higgins Trust: is a national sexual health charity that provides information and support on STI's/HIV, and where to get tested.
- EACH - Educational Action Challenging Homophobia: Helpline offering support for young people affected by homophobia.
- Equality Advisory and Support Service: an organisation that provides advice on discrimination and human rights issues.
- Galop: a charity working to prevent and challenge homophobic and transphobic hate crime.
- National Trans Youth Network: represents young trans people in the UK, with groups in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- No Going Back: provide support and legal representation to people who are seeking asylum in the UK because they fear persecution in their own country due to their sexual orientation.
- UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group: a charity that promotes equality and dignity for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people who seek asylum in the UK, or who wish to immigrate here to be with their same-sex partner.
- Depend: an organisation offering free, confidential and non-judgemental advice, information and support to adults in the UK with a trans partner, friend or adult family member who is considering or undergoing transition, or who has transitioned.
- Mermaids: provides support for families, teens and children with gender identity issues.
- One Body One Faith: want to help churches and faith communities to have intelligent and compassionate conversations about sexuality, and we want individuals to be able to integrate their sexuality and spirituality in ways which are healthy and life-affirming.
- Quest: A pastoral support for LGBT+ Catholics.
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Mental health crisis helplines:
If you're in crisis and need to talk right now, there are many helplines staffed by trained people ready to listen. They won't judge you, and could help you make sense of what you're feeling.
- Samaritans. To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123
- SANEline. If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
- The Mix. If you're under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (Sunday-Friday 2pm–11pm).
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK. If you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm).
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). If you identify as male, you can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) or use their webchat service.
- Helplines Partnership. For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. Mind's Infoline can also help you find services that can support you. If you're outside the UK, the Befrienders Worldwide website has a tool to search by country for emotional support helplines around the world.
Mental Health Charities:
- Anxiety UK: Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
- Bipolar UK: A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
- Men's Health Forum: 24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
- Mental Health Foundation: Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
- Mind: Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
- No Panic: Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
- OCD Action: Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.
- Rethink Mental Illness: Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
- Cruse Bereavement Care: Support for those struggling with bereavement.
- SMART Recovery UK: SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
- Beat: The UK's national eating disorder charity.
- Mencap: Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
BAME Specialist Mental Health Services
- Black Thrive: an organisation that aims to end the stigma associated with mental health and address mental health inequalities experienced by Black communities.
- Chinese Mental Health Association: an organisation that is involved in providing direct services, increasing mental health awareness and representing Chinese mental health issues in public forums and raising its profile in the overall Chinese community.
- CIO: a group of individuals who are seeking to setup a network of information and service centres to help assist UK Indians gain access to help and support concerning mental health.
- Jami UK: Jami is the specialist provider of mental health services in the Jewish community.
- Muslim Community Helpline: a national organisation providing listening and emotional support service for members of the Muslim community in the UK.
- Sharing Voices: a charity in Bradford that aims to reduce mental health and related inequalities for BAME communities.
- Sikh Your Mind: aims to increase awareness of mental health difficulties in the Sikh community.
- The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network: are the UK’s largest independent organisation to specialise in working psychologically, informed by an understanding of intersectionality, with people who identify as Black, African, South Asian and Caribbean.
LGBTUA+ Specialist Mental Health Services:
- Antidote: a service that offers information and support exclusively to LGBT+ people around drugs, alcohol and addiction.
- Birmingham LBGT Centre: voluntary organisation providing advice and support to LGBT+ people in Birmingham. Offers counselling, well-being services and wide range of support groups.
- LGBT Health and Wellbeing: are a unique community initiative that promotes the health, wellbeing and equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Scotland.
- MindOut: a mental health service for LGBT+ people which provides advice, information, advocacy, peer support groups, mentoring and wellbeing events.
- Pink Therapy: has a directory listing qualified therapists throughout the UK who work with the LGBT+ community from a positive stance.
- Switchboard: A one-stop listening service for LGBT+ people on the phone, email and instant messaging service.
Multi-Faith Specialist Mental Health Services:
- Being Alongside: a national Christian-based voluntary association that recognises the importance of spiritual values and support in mental health.
- Jami UK: Jami is the specialist provider of mental health services in the Jewish community.
- Mental Health 4 Muslims: is an American website that give information about mental health issues that are both clinically supported and helpful for Islamic people.
- Muslim Community Helpline: a national organisation providing listening and emotional support service for members of the Muslim community in the UK.
- Sikh Your Mind: aims to increase awareness of mental health difficulties in the Sikh community.
- Spiritual Crisis Network: recognise the link between mental health and spirituality for some people and have support groups across the country.
Helping someone else seek help/ supporting others
It can be hard to know what to do when supporting someone with a mental health problem. Mind's information is aimed at helping friends, family, carers and others to give support and take care of themselves too.
Mind: Helping someone else seek help
Mind: Helping Someone Else
MULTI-FAITH SUPPORT
- Jewish Care: offer different services for Jewish people who are experiencing emotional difficulties and distress or coping with mental health problems. Such as housing, rehabilitation centres, employment and support groups.
- Muslim Youth Helpline: is a charity which provides faith and culturally sensitive services to young Muslim people in the UK.
- Nour: provides Islamic support and advice through Islamic advisors (male and female) who are from a range of different Islamic schools of thought.
- The Sikh Helpline: established over 25 years ago, The Sikh Helpline has developed itself to be a trusted point of contact for members of the community in dealing with a range of issues, especially those linked to cultural and social taboos.
- Union of Jewish Students: are the voice of over 8,500 Jewish students, spanning 67 Jewish Societies (J-Socs) on campuses across the UK and Ireland.
- Jewish Women’s Aid: provides confidential, accessible, empowering and culturally sensitive advocacy and support for Jewish women and children affected by domestic violence.
- Muslim Women’s Network: operate a national specialist faith and culturally sensitive helpline that is confidential and non-judgemental, which offers information, support, guidance and referrals for those who are suffering from or at risk of abuse or facing problems on a range of issues.
- Being Alongside: a national Christian-based voluntary association that recognises the importance of spiritual values and support in mental health.
- Jami UK: Jami is the specialist provider of mental health services in the Jewish community.
- Mental Health 4 Muslims: is an American website that give information about mental health issues that are both clinically supported and helpful for Islamic people.
- Muslim Community Helpline: a national organisation providing listening and emotional support service for members of the Muslim community in the UK.
- Sikh Your Mind: aims to increase awareness of mental health difficulties in the Sikh community.
- Spiritual Crisis Network: recognise the link between mental health and spirituality for some people and have support groups across the country.
- CST: is Community Security Trust, a charity that protects British Jews from antisemitism and related threats. You can report antisemitism directly to CST, as well as receiving psychological support tailored to the Jewish community's needs.
- Tell Mama: are an independent, non-governmental organisation which works on tackling anti-Muslim hatred. The MAMA Project will provide a means for such incidents to be reported, recorded and analysed, working to ensure this data is accurate and reliable and the victims and witnesses affected receive support.
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