NB – The website addresses and phone numbers below were updated January 2021.
This week (18th – 24th May) is Mental Health Awareness week, hosted by the Mental Health Foundation. The theme this year is kindness and the foundation’s website has published stories highlighting how much #KindnessMatters and how powerful it is for those struggling with their mental health.
As a family law firm we regularly come into contact with people at one of the lowest times in their life, which negatively impacts their mental wellbeing. To offer aid on this very human side of our work, we run several initiatives in addition to our primary service as solicitors.
Most recently, we launched a free legal advice helpline for those whose family relationships have been impacted by the recent period of isolation (dial here).
Our AccessUs programme offers advice from our experienced team to those who have limited funding, thereby increasing access to justice. Whilst the Merrick Life interactive online space allows users to share advice and gain support from us and our expert contributors.
Through these avenues and our primary service we hope that we can be a professional, friendly source of counsel for our clients. However, we are taking this Mental Health Awareness week as an opportunity to share the helplines listed below. They offer anonymous support for a variety of issues relating to mental health, legal support, domestic abuse and other areas.
Mental Health Helplines
Open daily, 24-hours
Free confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Open Monday – Friday, 9.30am to 10pm, Saturday to Sunday 10am to 8pm
A charity providing support for those suffering from an anxiety condition.
Open daily, 5pm to midnight
The Campaign Against Living Miserably, aimed at men aged 15 – 35.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Or email info@mind.org.uk
An Infoline that gives information and directs you to the correct help.
Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 10pm; 2pm to 10pm on weekends and bank holidays
Young suicide prevention hotline.
Open daily, 10am to 10pm
A volunteer run line offering support for those suffering from panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm, calls cost 5p per minute
Support and information on resources for people with OCD.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm
A charity run by people with OCD for people with OCD
Open Monday to Friday, 9.30 to 4pm
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Support for Families Affected by Mental Illness
Open daily, 4.30pm to 10.30pm
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm
A parents’ helpline providing information on child and adolescent mental health.
Legal Helplines
Open daily, 8am to 8pm
Or email info@merrick-solicitors.com
Offering free legal advice on domestic abuse, divorce, separation, children and other relationship issues.
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm
Or email legal@mind.org.uk
A source of legal information and general advice on mental health related law.
Abuse Helplines
Open 24-hours, for Childline or children
Open 24-hours, for adults concerned about a child
Children’s charity targeting child abuse and child cruelty.
Open 24-hours
Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Addiction Helplines
Open 24-hours
Or email help@aamail.org
Advice and support for those suffering from a drinking problem.
Open daily, 8am to midnight
Free, confidential help for anyone worried about their own or someone else’s gambling.
Open daily, 10am to midnight
Support and advice about the nature of drug addiction for the using addict, their friends and family.
Free helpline run by people who’ve beaten addiction in their own lives.
0800 088 66 86
Diverse addiction treatment.
Helplines for Eating Disorders
0808 801 0677 for the Helpline
0808 801 0811 for the Studentline
0808 801 0711 for the Youthline
Open daily, 12pm – 8pm
Support and information about eating disorders.
Open Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm
An advice line for those suffering from an eating disorder.
Parenting Helpline
Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm and Saturday to Sunday 10am to 3pm
Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying.
I WILL BE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. AMANDA MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE HER ONLY CLIENT AND HOLDS YOUR HAND TO GUIDE YOU THROUGH