How to Get Mental Health Support in the UK: Where to Start

If you're not in immediate danger but know you need some support, it can be hard to know where to start. Here are the main routes into NHS mental health support in the UK, and when each one makes sense.

Your GP

Your GP is often the simplest starting point. They can discuss what you're experiencing, talk through options such as therapy or medication, and refer you to local NHS mental health services if needed. You don't need to know exactly what's "wrong" before booking — "I haven't been feeling like myself and want to talk to someone" is a completely reasonable reason to make an appointment.

NHS Talking Therapies (self-referral)

For anxiety, depression, or stress, you can refer yourself directly to NHS Talking Therapies, without needing to see a GP first. You do not need a diagnosis to do this — anyone registered with a GP in England can self-refer.

• Search "NHS Talking Therapies" plus your local area, or use the NHS website's service finder.
• You'll be asked for your GP surgery's name as part of the referral.
• Support is offered in different formats — in person, by phone, by video, or as a guided online course — and interpreters are available if English isn't your first language.
• After referring yourself, the service will contact you and let you know how long the wait is likely to be.

Try this: If waiting lists feel discouraging, self-refer anyway and keep using other support — our community, mood tracker, and breathing exercises — in the meantime. You don't have to choose one or the other.

NHS 111

If you need help urgently but it's not a life-threatening emergency, you can call 111 and select the mental health option, or use the NHS 111 online mental health triage. This can put you in touch with local crisis teams outside of GP hours.

If it's an emergency

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. This site's crisis banner at the top of every page also has direct links to Samaritans and Shout for round-the-clock support.