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Mental health support for constituents

The Library is often asked for practical advice on supporting constituents with their mental health. 

The APPG on Mental Health has produced a guide for members and staff on how to support constituents with their mental health (PDF). It provides information about common mental health conditions and practical tips on signposting constituents to organisations that can help. It also provides advice on helping constituents in distress.  

The Library is able to assist with constituency enquiries on a range of related topics, including access to mental health services, compulsory detention under the Mental Health Act 1983, criminal justice services, veterans’ mental health, employment and welfare policies. 

NHS support 

Constituents can approach their GP to discuss concerns about their mental health. The GP may make a referral to a specialist service if required. 

Constituents in England over 18 years old can access talking therapies via the NHS. In some areas this service is also available to 16- and 17-year-olds. Talking therapies can help with common mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. Types of therapy include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and counselling. Constituents can find their local NHS talking therapies service online. They can ask their GP to refer them or refer themselves directly to the service. 

People of all ages in England can access urgent mental health help 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option or using 111 online. In an emergency, constituents should call 999 or attend A&E. 

For more information on accessing NHS mental health services in England, see the NHS webpage on Mental health services. 

For guidance on accessing services in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, see the following links: 

• NHS 111 Wales - Health A-Z: Mental Health and Wellbeing 

• Mental health – NHS inform (Scotland) 

• Mental health – nidirect (Northern Ireland) 

Helpful organisations 

Constituents may approach their MP for help with problems that are hard for them to manage due to their mental health. Constituents may also find that stressful situations, such as debt or housing issues, are taking a toll on their mental health. Below are some organisations that provide support with mental health or topics that can affect mental health. This is not an exhaustive list. The Hub of hope website provides a UK-wide mental health support directory. 

Information and advice 

The mental health charity, Mind, provides support and advice to people experiencing difficulties with their mental health and their carers. The Mind website is a useful resource for straightforward information on mental health conditions and legal rights. A network of Local Minds offer services such as talking therapies and peer support groups. 

Mind also have four helplines for support, information, welfare and benefits advice, and legal issues. 

The charity Rethink Mental Illness supports people severely affected by mental illness and their carers. It provides mental health services, support groups and online advice pages on a variety of topics about mental illness. Rethink provides an advice service via telephone, online and in writing. 

Children and young people’s mental health 

The charity YoungMinds provides mental health guidance and support for young people and their parents. It provides a helpline and webchat for parents concerned about their child’s mental health. 

The Mix, a charity for young people, provides support to anyone under 25, including a helpline, one-to-one webchat and counselling services. 

Emotional support 

Samaritans offer free, 24/7, support across the UK to people who want to talk to someone about their thoughts or emotions by calling 116 123. 

Samaritans also offer a Welsh language service. 

Cruse (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) and Cruse Scotland offer a helpline for people who have experienced a bereavement. 

Addiction 

Mind have put together a list of UK addiction and dependency support organisations for those affected and their families, including support with alcohol and drug use and gambling. 

Support for veterans 

Combat Stress is a UK charity supporting veterans with their mental health, including help with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression and anxiety. It provides a 24/7 helpline, text and email service. 

Veterans can also access specialist mental health support through the NHS. 

Money 

The Mental Health and Money Advice service helps people with mental health conditions that need financial advice and people who are experiencing financial difficulties that are affecting their mental health. The website includes guides on dealing with debt, Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payments (PIP). 

Housing 

The housing and homelessness charity Shelter has produced a webpage on housing for people with mental health needs. Shelter also has an emergency helpline for urgent cases, such as if someone has nowhere to sleep tonight or is at risk of harm or abuse in their home. 

Advice can also be found at Shelter Scotland, Shelter Cymru and Housing Rights (Norther Ireland). 

Mental health support for MP’s and their staff 

Supporting constituents in distress can have an emotional impact on MPs and their staff. The Health and Wellbeing pages of the Parliament intranet are a useful place to find support for mental health and wellbeing, including information on the Employee Assistance Programme, occupational health services and finding a mental health first aider. The Members’ and Members Staff Services Team organises training for staff on dealing with suicidal callers and general mental health issues – these courses are bookable on ACT.