If you believe someone’s life is at risk or in danger, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department immediately.
If you need help urgently for a mental health concern, but it’s not an emergency, you can get help by:
- calling 111 (UK-wide)
- visiting the appropriate NHS websites for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you think you (or a friend or relative) might be experiencing some form of mental health problem and it is non-urgent, then you should get in contact with your GP for help and advice.
The UKPTS does not directly offer or recommend clinical or therapeutic services. Please click on the links below for more information on advice to consider when exploring getting help, as well as links to organisations, sources of support, and clinical services listings you may find helpful.
In the UK, the first point of contact for any mental health concerns should be your General Practitioner.
The NHS website provides clear advice and support on mental health in general, as well as trauma in particular. Services may vary by region and area of the UK.
Many therapists and clinicians are accredited by professional organisations, and are listed on their therapist finder pages. You will also find important information on the type of therapy offered and the qualifications held by therapists that are necessary to work with clients.
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
The British Psychological Society (BPS) – Find a Psychologist
British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) – find a CBT practitioner
There is a wide range of information available from reputable sources on trauma and mental health in general.
Mind is a UK-wide mental health charity and has a lot of information and links to support, including a legal advice line (not 24hrs)
www.mind.org.uk
PTSD UK is a charity established to raise awareness of PTSD, and has extensive links to help and advice.
www.ptsduk.org
The Mental Health Foundation features a thorough guide to trauma, its impacts and what to do if you need help.
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Samaritans offer someone to talk to 24 hours a day, as well as a self-help app.
www.samaritans.org 116 123 (UK and ROI)
Shout offer free support via text if you are struggling to cop and need to talk. Text SHOUT to 85258
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot make a noise or speak on the call, press 55 when prompted.
>> To leave this website immediately click here <<
National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24hr freephone)
The gov.uk website lists a number of resources and links to organisations that can provide support and guidance, including to concerned family members and friends.
www.gov.uk
Refuge works to support women and children against domestic violence, and operate the 24/7 National Domestic Abuse Helpline. Live webchat is also available.
www.refuge.org.uk
Women’s Aid is a federation combatting domestic abuse. Their website carries a helpful directory of local support services.
www.womensaid.org.uk
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot make a noise or speak on the call, press 55 when prompted.
>> To leave this website immediately click here <<
If you are in immediate danger, call 999. If you cannot make a noise or speak on the call, press 55 when prompted.
The Survivors’ Trust is the largest umbrella organisation for specialist rape and sexual abuse help services in the UK, with 124 member agencies. It provides links to services for all, regardless of age, gender or location. Services are not 24-hours, but a helpline, support search page, and helpline are all provided.
www.thesurvivorstrust.org 0808 801 0818
Rape Crisis is charity working to end sexual violence and abuse in England and Wales. Online live chat, as well as a helpline is provided (not 24-hours).
www.rapecrisis.org.uk 0808 802 9999
NAPAC offer support to adult survivors of all types of childhood abuse, including physical, sexual, emotional abuse and neglect.
www.napac.org.uk 0808 801 0331 (not 24hrs)
There are a number of centralised heathcare pathways for veterans throughout the UK:
NHS Op COURAGE (England)
Northern Ireland Veterans’ Support Office
NHS Veterans Wales
Veterans in Scotland
Combat Stress specialises in the treatment and support of British Armed Forces Veterans who have mental health problems across the UK. Provides confidential help and advice on any mental health issues to the military community, veterans and their families
www.combatstress.org.uk 0800 138 1619 (24hr)
Forcesline (from SSFA) offers confidential guidance on all personal/welfare issues, including sexual harassment, discrimination, bullying, racism, drugs, depression, alcohol, debt, relationship counselling and suicide to the serving and ex-serving military community from anywhere in the world. It is completely independent of the military chain of command.
www.ssafa.org.uk 0800 260 6767 (UK) +44 207 463 9292 (rest of world)
Help for Heroes provides direct, practical support for wounded, injured and sick servicemen, women and veterans and their families. Help for Heroes also works to provide psychological services, and more details can be found on their website, as well as a link to their online for to request support.
www.helpforheroes.org.uk
Fighting With Pride is a military charity supporting the health and wellbeing of LGBT+ Veterans, service personnel and their families.
www.fightingwithpride.org.uk
Some things to consider
If you are a survivor of trauma and are having psychological difficulties which are linked to this experience then you may want to find a service that can help you. After a traumatic experience it is very common to have difficulties for the first month and people may then recover using their normal ways of dealing with stress or with the support of family or friends.
Sometimes the difficulties persist and you may wish to explore therapeutic options. Below are some questions that you may wish to consider in order to inform your search.
Trauma can affect people in many different ways. It can depend on what happened, what else was happening in your life at the time, what meaning you made of what happened and what support has been available to you.
You may have very difficult memories of the trauma which may make you feel that the traumatic event is happening again. You may try to avoid things or places that make you think about the trauma. You may find that sometimes you space out and find it difficult to concentrate. You may have difficulty sleeping or relaxing, or may feel constantly anxious. You may feel low or depressed which you think is linked to your experiences of trauma, or you may feel guilt or shame.
You may find that situations in which your trust or choice is compromised can lead to trauma-related distress. You may find some difficulty in forming or maintaining relationships. You may find it hard to manage emotions. You may feel bad about yourself or feel differently about the world.
These are just some of the ways that trauma can affect you. Everyone is different. It is important to remember that this does not mean there is anything wrong with you. These responses are normal responses to abnormal events and are often ways of surviving the difficult experiences. You may also find that you have developed skills and resilience because of how you have coped with what has happened to you.
Areas across the country may differ as to whether they have specific specialist services for trauma or whether they have services that offer a range of psychological therapies for a range of difficulties. However if you are looking to access psychological help for difficulties linked to trauma, it is good if the service is “trauma-informed”. This means that:
- The workers in the service understand that trauma is widespread and can affect people in many different ways.
- Trauma can be a one off event e.g. a car crash or can be repeated events like domestic violence, sexual abuse, torture
- Trauma involves threat or danger but also breaches of trust, lack of control, powerlessness, coercion
- Trauma –informed principles of safety, trust, collaboration, choice and empowerment should be prioritised in any treatment or therapy
- More detailed information on trauma-informed principles can be found in this guide: Transforming Psychological Trauma, published by the Scottish NHS.
This means the service is using the research about what works best to help people with different difficulties. You can find out more about this in this guide to evidence-based therapies for PTSD from NICE, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
All health care staff are expected to have appropriate training to deal with the aftermath of psychological trauma. Health care staff should also be appropriately supported when they help others to overcome their difficulties. You should expect health care staff in services to:
- Be able to apply appropriate skills to deliver evidence based and tailor made interventions and always prioritise safety
- Be able to respond in a sensitive and compassionate manner
- Be respectful of cultural diversity and cultural bias.
- Operate within the limitations of their role and skills.
- Practice as a reflective practitioners and be able to access supervision that is appropriate to their role.
- Be able to signpost for further help and support as needed
- Be open to feedback
- Be committed to Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
