Help directory

As well as our services, we provide signposting to specialist services who can offer you more support.

If you have any questions about what we do, visit our FAQs section, or contact our local team on 0300 111 6000 or email info@suffolkmind.org.uk.

In crisis and need help now?

If you or somebody you know is in crisis, please get in touch with one of the emergency contacts below for urgent support.

Emergency contacts

Contact your GP

And book an appointment or ask for advice

Find a local GP

Visit A&E

If you are in immediate need of help

Your closest A&E

Call 999

And ask for the service you need

Call 111

And follow the prompts.

Local NHS website

Text 'SHOUT' to 85258

This 24/7 free texting service from SHOUT offers trained crisis volunteers for those who feel at danger to themselves or others.

Visit website

Call 116 123

And speak to Samaritans, who offer free confidential support 24/7.

Samaritans website

National support

Here are a few national organisations that can provide a range of support services.

Bipolar UK

Bipolar UK is the national charity dedicated to supporting individuals with the much misunderstood and devastating condition of bipolar, their families and carers. For more information visit their website.

Visit website

Citizens Advice

Worrying about money? This national charity and network of local charities offer confidential advice online, over the phone, and in person, for free – visit the website here.

Visit website

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

CALM offers support to people struggling with low mood, self-harm and sucidial thoughts. Their helpline runs daily from 5pm to midnight. Call: 0800 58 58 58.

Visit website

Mind (National)

Although Suffolk Mind is an independent charity, we are affiliated with Mind. Mind is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. They work to create a better life for everyone with experience of mental distress. Visit their website for the latest information.

Visit website

PALS (Patient Advice and Liaison Service)

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) offers confidential advice, support and information on health-related matters. They provide a point of contact for patients, their families and their carers. You can find PALS officers in your local hospital. For more details, visit the PALS webpage on the NHS website.

Visit website

Rethink

Rethink “improves the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through our network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. Our goal is to make sure everyone severely affected by mental illness has a good quality of life.”

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Side by Side

Side by Side (formerly Elefriends) is an online community where you can listen share and be heard. There’s more information on how to sign up here.

Visit website

Self-harm support

Please visit the NHS website for signposting options to support you in relation to self-harming.

NHS website

StayAlive suicide support

The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, with useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.

Visit website

National Helplines

Samaritans – 116 123

Dementia Connect – 0333 150 3456

Turning Point Substance Misuse Service – 0300 123 0872

Local support

Here are a few local organisations that can provide a range of support services.

ActivLives

ActivLives is a local independent charity working in Ipswich and across Suffolk to keep people active, connected and involved with their local community through accessible sports and exercise, learning new skills and volunteering opportunities.

Visit website

Autism & ADHD support

Based in Ipswich, Autism & ADHD provides “a community where everybody understands Autism and ADHD” along with training and support.

Visit website

Anglia Care Trust

Anglia Care Trust “encourages people to achieve their full potential, whatever their circumstances, by providing a range of high-quality advice, guidance and support services, delivered by skilled and knowledgeable personnel.”

Visit website

BSC Multicultural Services

BSC is a community charity with 25 years of service. They offer advice and support to the local community through their support services, and befriending and carers projects.

They also offer activities and events, and host annual events such as the Big Multicultural event, Pita Festival, and Annual Business Awards.

For more information, contact 01473 400 081/429 740 or visit the website.

Visit website

Eating Peer Support Group – Ipswich

Eating Peer Support Ipswich explores new paths together, and is for anyone aged 18+ who is local and exploring recovery from disordered eating.

Contact epsi.peergroup@gmail.com, or request to join the private Facebook group via the link below.

Join the Facebook group

Financial support and advice – Haverhill

REACH is an independent charity that believes in a relational handholding approach to helping families and individuals who are suffering from or struggling with the effects of financial crisis or hardship. They provide debt advice, benefit help, housing, emergency food and utility assistance and more from their bases in Haverhill and Newmarket.

Visit website

Food Banks in Suffolk

Suffolk Infolink has a list of food banks across the county, as well as top-up shops near you.

Visit website

GamFam

GamFam is a registered charity that supports people affected by gambling harms.

Visit website

Healthwatch Suffolk

Healthwatch Suffolk “are your health and social care champion.”

If you use GPs and hospitals, dentists, pharmacies, care homes or other services, Healthwatch Suffolk want to hear about your experiences because they can use them to shape, influence and improve local care. They also help people to find reliable and trustworthy information and advice.

Visit website

Lighthouse Women's Aid

Lighthouse Women’s Aid is a charitable organisation based in Suffolk, providing support and advice to adults, young people and children affected by domestic abuse in their personal or family relationships.

They have been providing safe and supportive refuge in Ipswich since 1976. They also offer a range of therapeutic courses and services to support women, young people and children to rebuild their lives free from domestic abuse.

For confidential advice, call the advice line on 01473 228 270.

Visit website

Steam House Cafés

Steam House cafés are mental health crisis cafés across Norfolk & Suffolk.

Visit website

Suffolk Advocacy Service

Advocacy is about your voice being heard. Advocates support you to speak up, or they might speak up on your behalf if needed. Advocacy is totally free, independent and confidential.

What will your advocate do? Listen to what you want and work with you to: Get your voice heard, understand your rights, get information you need, explore your options, make your own choices.

Pohwer: Tel: 0300 456 2370

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Suffolk County Council

To contact Suffolk County Council or for more information, click here.

Visit website

Suffolk Community Directory

For more information about support services around the county, visit Suffolk InfoLink.

Suffolk InfoLink

Suffolk Family Carers

Suffolk Family Carers provide information, advice and support to thousands of family carers. Click here for more information and support.

Visit website

Suffolk Refugee Support

Advice and support for refugees and asylum seekers in Suffolk.

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Suffolk User Forum

Suffolk User Forum are “an independent mental health user led, involvement, peer support and advocacy organisation”, including support for people living with BPD (link below).

Visit website

Suffolk Wellbeing Service

Wellbeing Norfolk & Waveney and Wellbeing Suffolk provide a range of support for people with common mental health and emotional issues, such as low mood, depression or stress. Their services are free and are available to people aged 16 and over living in Norfolk & Waveney, and for people of all ages in Suffolk. Tel: 0300 123 1503

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Support for BME women and children in Suffolk

PHOEBE is a registered charity that supports various aspects of the lives of underprivileged BME women, children and young people with an overall aim to better their overall wellbeing and transform lives. The services offered include specialist domestic abuse advocacy, immigration advice, practical support (food & fuel top ups), ESOL classes, peer to peer support groups, counselling, maternity safe spaces, youth clubs and activities for disadvantaged children/young people.

Visit website

Support for children and young people

Here is a selection of groups and organisations that can provide support for your child or young person.

4YP

“Through advice, guidance and practical support we help young people develop the skills and knowledge to lead healthier, happier, safer and more resilient lifestyles. We give young people the confidence to make better informed choices and enable them to reach their full potential.”

Call: 01473 252 607.

Visit website

Barnardo's Helpline for Suffolk

A free and confidential emotional wellbeing service for parents, carers and young people aged 0-25 years in Suffolk (excl. Waveney).

The helpline provides signposting, information, resources, and support, and is available Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm. There is a a voicemail facility where you can leave a message, and they will get back to you.

Call 03456 002 090 and select option 2.

Barnardo’s website

Child Bereavement UK

Child Bereavement UK have advice on managing grief and local services for children, or those who have lost a child.

Visit website

Childline

Contact Childline if you are concerned about yourself or a child in your family. You can call 0800 1111 for confidential, free support. (Note, the telephone number does only have 8 digits.)

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Home-Start in Suffolk

Home-Start in Suffolk aims to give children the best possible start in life. We support parents to grow in confidence, strengthen their relationships with their children, improve their Health and wellbeing and widen their links locally.

Call: 01473 621 104.

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Inspire Suffolk

Inspire is a charity dedicated to supporting young people onto a positive future.

“Each day, we work at the forefront of helping young people to overcome challenges onto positive next steps in their lives back into employment and further training. We offer life changing personal development programmes, motivational education courses and engaging sport activities that local young people need and may not have access to.”

Call: 01473 353 194.

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Kooth

Kooth provides free, anonymous online counselling for 10 – 25 year olds. Message counsellors from 12pm – 10pm Monday to Friday and from 6pm – 10pm Saturday to Sunday.

Visit website

PACT – Parents and Carers Together

Support line: 07856 038 799

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Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide

Papyrus offer support through their helpline (HOPEline UK) to those under 35 years old that are having thoughts of suicide. Call 0800 068 4141 from 10am – 10pm Monday to Friday and from 2pm – 10pm Saturday to Sunday, or text 07786 209 697.

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School Counsellor

If you are in school, college or university, your education provider might have an on-site counsellor.

To find out more ask your Head of Year, Mental Health Lead, SENCO or Pastoral Lead.

Self Harm UK

Self Harm UK offers support to individuals aged 11-19, who are dealing with or recovering from self-harm, including through online group sessions.

Visit website

Suffolk Children & Young People's Emotional Wellbeing Hub

Information, advice and support for anyone concerned about the emotional wellbeing and mental health of a child or young person aged 0 to 25 years. Tel: 0345 600 2090 or visit their website.

Visit website

Teenage Mental Health

Child, Adolescent and Young Adult Therapy.

“We at Teenage Mental Health are here to help both you and your child, we understand the toll poor mental health can take on young people and those caring for them.”

Visit website

The Mix

A youth work charity based in Stowmarket.

“We work with young people from across Mid Suffolk and beyond. We are committed to effective partnerships with agencies, charities and businesses to ensure young people can co-create and access the best youth work support available.”

Visit website

Help directory

Emergency contacts

Accreditations & Awards