USEFUL LINKS
I hope that you will find these links helpful. I have tried, where possible, to list local agencies and support groups. Please be responsible to research and assess each source of help and information to ensure the provider is appropriate for your needs.
Abuse
Abuse Survivors is a volunteer group that provides information, advice and support to those affected by abuse.
The Mankind Initiative delivers specialist support services to men (18+) who have experienced childhood sexual abuse and/or adult sexual assault at any time in their lives. Helpline: 01823 334 244.
National Association for People Abused in Childhood works to provide all of the resources it can to empower survivors to take control of their healing. Helpline: 0800 085 3330.
Addictions: drug, alcohol and gambling
Al-Anon Family Groups offer information and support groups for relatives of someone with alcohol addiction. Helpline: 020 7403 0888.
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. Helpline: 0845 769 7555.
Breakeven provides free specialist counselling for anyone affected by problem gambling. Tel: 01273 833 722.
Drugwatch.com provides up-to-date information about the side effects of prescription medications.
FRANK is the UK’s anti-drug campaign aimed principally at teenagers. FRANK provides services for people who seek information and/or advice about drugs including a confidential 24-hour helpline, email and a confidential automated chatterbot for Live Messenger, the Talk to Frank bot, and a service to locate counselling and treatment. Helpline: 0800 77 66 00.
National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACOA) addresses the needs of children growing up in families where one or both parents suffer from alcoholism or a similar addictive problem. Helpline: 0800 358 3456.
UK Narcotics Anonymous provides information and support for those suffering a drug addiction and want help to get clean. Helpline: 0300 999 1212.
Anxiety and panic
Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1-to-1 therapy services. Tel: 08444 775 774.
As You Are Centre offers low-cost counselling and group work for people living in Brighton, Hove, Portslade, Southwick, Shoreham, Lancing and Worthing. Tel: 07952 754 859 or 07507 706 478.
No Panic provides support for sufferers of panic attacks, phobias, obsessive compulsive disorder, general anxiety disorder and tranquiliser withdrawal. Tel: 0808 808 0545.
Bereavement and death
The Compassionate Friends (TCF) is an organisation of bereaved parents and their families offering understanding, support and encouragement to others after the death of a child or children. TCF also offers support, advice and information to other relatives and friends. Helpline: 0845 123 2304.
Cruse promotes the well-being of bereaved people and to enable anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Services include information, a helpline and contact details for local friendship and counselling services. Helpline: 0844 477 9400. Mid-Sussex branch: 01293 531 191.
Books and reading
Counselling for Toads by Robert de Board. A great book to read and appropriate for anyone approaching counselling for the first time, whether as a client or student. ISBN 13: 9780956511300. ISBN 10: 0956511309
Bullying
Bullying UK provides useful information to children, parents, teachers, adults and youth organisations about bullying both at school and the workplace.
Children and young people
ChildLine is a counselling service for children and young people. Helpline: 0800 1111.
Heads Together offers counselling for young people aged between 14 and 24. It's free for up to one year. Tel: 01737 378 481.
NSPCC protects children across the UK. It provides a wide range of services for both children and parents. Helpline: 0800 800 5000.
Computer-based training and online self-help
Living Life to the Full is a life skills course that aims to provide access to high quality, practical and user-friendly training in practical approaches you can use in your own life.
Counselling organisations and directories
The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy includes a directory of therapists and organisations.
Sussex Counselling lists independent, fully-qualified counsellors working in East and West Sussex and who have trained to a Diploma standard or beyond.
Debt and homelessness
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) provides free, impartial and confidential advice on welfare benefits, housing issues and debt and can also provide support to clients by attending court hearings, solicitor appointments, and Social Service Child Protection case conferences.
Cri-sis is the national charity for single homeless people and dedicated to ending homelessness by delivering life-changing services and campaigning for change. Tel: 0844 251 0111.
Off The Fence Trust is a Brighton-based registered charity founded on a Christian vision and driven by Christian values. The charity provides vital services to the most vulnerable and marginalised in our community. The charity works in the three areas of street homelessness, women facing times of crisis and schools and youth. Tel: 01273 733 566.
Depression and despair
Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone line service for anyone who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to. Telephone 0800 83 85 87.
Depression Alliance helps people affected by depression. DA works to relieve and to prevent this treatable condition by providing information and support services to those who are affected by it via publications, supporter services and a network of self-help groups.
The Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. Tel: 0845 7 90 90 90.
Domestic violence
Women's Aid is the key national charity working to end domestic violence against women and children. It supports a network of over 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK. 24-hour National Domestic Violence Helpline: 0808 2000 247. North Sussex Refuge Helpline: 01403 750 499. East Sussex Refuge Helpline: 01323 892 731.
Eating disorders
beat is the leading UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. beat provides helplines for adults and young people, online support and a UK-wide network of self-help groups to help people beat their eating disorder.
Mental health
Mind helps people take control of their mental health. It provides high-quality information and advice on depression, bereavement, anxiety and medication. Infoline: 0845 766 0163.
Rethink works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness recover a better quality of life. Rethink's aim is to make a practical and positive difference by providing hope and empowerment through effective services, information and support to all those who need support. Tel: 020 7840 3188.
Parents and childbirth
Association for Post-Natal Illness offers 1-to-1 advice, information and support for mothers who have or think they may have PND. Tel: 020 7386 0868.
Cry-Sis offers self-help and support to families with excessively crying, sleepless and demanding babies. Helpline 08451 228 669.
Home Start is a national organisation that offers volunteer help for parents that are struggling to cope for many reasons including post-natal illness, disability, bereavement, the illness of a parent or child, or social isolation. Helpline: 0800 68 63 68. Local office: Crawley and Horsham 01293 416 327.
Miscarriage Association offers support and information to anyone affected by the loss of a baby in pregnancy. Helpline: 01924 200 799.
Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) supports anyone affected by the death of a baby. Helpline: 020 7436 5881.
Relationships and marriage
Relate offers couple counselling, workshops, information on many aspects of relationship and family difficulties.
TalkAboutMarriage is an online supportive community for marriage advice and help.
Women
Brighton Women's Centre aims to empower women in the Brighton and Hove area and promote independence in a safe, women-only space. Services include counselling, group work, open access drop ins, holistic therapies, volunteer training and self-development courses. Tel: 01273 698 036.