www.nacab.org.uk
Information and advice on a wide range of issues including welfare benefits, housing and legal rights, debt, tax and consumer advice. The above website can locate your nearest CAB centre.

Advocacy in Darlington
01325 365 000
www.advocacy-in-darlington.org.uk
Advocacy services in Darlington and surrounding areas.

Benefits in Mind
www.benefitsinmind.org.uk
An independent online resource from Neath Mind helping people with mental health problems identify which benefits they are entitled to and how to claim them.

Community Legal Service Direct
0845 608 1122
0845 609 6677 (textphone)
www.clsdirect.org.uk
A network of local advisors for people requiring information and advice on legal problems and legal rights.

Debt Advice Within Northumberland
0845 120 2933
Mon ñ Fri 10am-12noon, 1pm-3pm
www.debtadvicenorthumberland.org.uk
Free and confidential debt advice for individuals and families with debt problems.

Independent Advocacy
0191 259 6662
An advocacy service for people in North Tyneside.

Independent Advocacy (Hartlepool)
01429 261 222
Mon-Fri 9.30am – 5pm
Free and confidential advocacy service to listen and support individuals with mental health problems express their views of their own care plan or service planning in the Hartlepool area.  There is also a counselling service available.

Launchpad
0191 233 0382
A Newcastle-based organisation run by and for people experiencing mental health problems.  Launchpad provide opportunities for service users to be involved in the planning, delivery, monitoring and evaluation of mental health services.

The Mental Health Service User and Carer Involvement Team
0191 301 1384
Mon-Fri 8.30am – 5pm
kate.harrington@durhamclspct.nhs.uk
The service seeks to provide access to supported opportunities for people who use Adult Mental Health Services and their carers, to influence and be meaningfully involved in the decision-making processes of services in County Durham and Darlington.  The service also supports the development of independent service user/carer groups and networks.

Mind’s Legal Advice Line
020 8215 2299
Mon, Wed and Fri 2.30pm – 4.30pm
Info and advice for mental health service users and their families regarding legal rights and the Mental Health Act.

Newcastle Advocacy Centre
advocacy@cvsnewcastle.org.uk
0191 232 7445
The centre provides case advocates for mental health service users.

Pathways Advocacy
0191 477 7380
Representation and support on care, treatment and civil rights for mental health service users in Gateshead and South Tyneside.

Benefit Enquiry Line
0800 88 22 00
0800 24 33 55 (textphone)
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Information about welfare benefits.

UKAN (United Kingdom Advisory Network)
0114 272 8171
Information of local advocacy services for people with mental health problems.

South Tees Advocacy in Mental Health Project (STAMP)
01642 283 421
www.stamprevisited.com
A free, independent and confidential advocacy service for adults who have mental health issues in Tees and North East Yorkshire areas.

Washington Mind
0191 417 8043
Can provide information on advocacy services in the Sunderland area for people using mental health services.  Counselling and listening service also available.

Alcohol and drugs

Alcoholics Anonymous
0845 769 7555
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Info and advice for people affected by drink problems.

Drinkline
0800 917 8282
www.alcoholconcern.org.uk
A helpline for people that need help or information about alcohol abuse and its affect on mental health.

Lifeline (Middlesbrough)
01642 222 148
www.lifefline.org.uk
Lifeline Middlesbrough offers a young personís service for under 19ís using drugs or alcohol. The service also provides a Harm Minimisation and day service for over 18 year olds and offer information and support.

Lifeline (Newcastle)
0191 261 4719
www.lifeline.org.uk
The Harm Minimisation Service for over 18ís is an open-access drug and alcohol service for information, advice, support, needle exchange and day services.

National Drugs Helpline
0800 77 66 00
www.talktofrank.com
All you need to know about drugs 24 hours a day including the facts, the risks and the law as well as providing details of local needle exchanges.

NECA (North East Council on Addictions)

Bishop Auckland 01388 609 221	Darlington 01325 267 230	Durham 0191 386 6555
Gateshead 0191 490 1045	Newcastle 0191 222 1262	South Shields 0191 456 9999
Sunderland 0191 567 2678	Derwentside 01207 581 922

www.neca.co.uk
Free, confidential advice and counselling for drug, alcohol and other addictions.  NECA also organises social groups and events and runs services for young people

Release
020 7603 8654
www.release.org.uk
Confidential information and advice on drugs and related legal issues 24 hours a day.

Streetwise
0191 230 5400
www.streetwisenorth.co.uk
Advice, support and counselling for young people (under 25) on drug, alcohol and related issues.

Use Drugs? Use Us
08000 195 247
Free, confidential help 24/7 for over 18ís using drugs or alcohol in Newcastle.

North of England Refugee Service
0191 245 7311
www.refugee.org.uk
The Service has offices in Newcastle, North Tyneside, Sunderland and Middlesbrough providing support and information for all asylum seekers and refugees and campaigning for a better understanding of refugee issues.

Muslim Youth Helpline
0808 808 2008
Mon-Thur 6pm – 9pm, Sat 10am – 10pm
www.myh.org.uk
A confidential helpline for young Muslims staffed by trained young Muslims.  Offers help and advice with any type of problems including abuse, addictions, depression, sexuality and relationships

NHS Direct
0845 46 47
0845 606 647(textphone)
www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk
Information available 24 hours a day on NHS services, health issues and treatments (including mental health), contraception providers support groups and contacts for out of hours doctor and dentist services.

Pathways Advisory Service
0191 490 0579
Information and advice for people experiencing mental health problems, their carers and relatives in the Gateshead area. Pathways can help with finding out about mental health and its treatment, benefits, housing, employment and other local contacts.

Relate
0845 130 4010
www.relate.org.uk
Counselling and psychosexual therapy for adult couple relationships whether you are married or not.

Rethink (Severe Mental Illness)
020 8974 6814
10am – 3pm
www.rethink.org
A national voluntary organisation offering user-group support and promotion campaigns for people with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses.

SANELINE
0845 767 8000
12 noon – 2am
www.sane.org.uk
Confidential information, support and local service details for people affected by mental health problems or their family/friends.

Streetwise
www.streetwisenorth.co.uk
0191 230 5400
Free, confidential info, advice, support and counselling for young people. Drop-in services and help with housing issues, drugs and alcohol, sexuality, self-harm, depression and benefits. Streetwise also runs contraception and sexual health clinic.

Support Line
020 8554 9004
5pm – 8pm
www.supportline.org.uk
Confidential, emotional support for young people and adults in despair. Advice and help available with many issues including bulling, eating disorders, depression, anxiety, drugs and abuse.

The Junction
01642 756 000
5pm – 8pm
www.thejunctionredcar.com
Information and support on loads of issues for young people (aged 25 and under) in Redcar.

Young Minds
0800 018 2318
Parent infoline
Mon and Fri 10am – 1pm, Tues – Thurs 1pm – 4pm
www.youngminds.org.uk
A national charity working to improve the mental health of young people. Information and publications available for both parents and young people.

Self-harm and abuse

ASCA (Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse)
0191 221 1919
10am - 4pm
Telephone support and info for adults that have experienced childhood abuse.

Eating Disorders Association
0845 634 1413
Adult line 8.30am – 8.30pm
0845 634 7650
Youth line 4pm – 6pm
www.edauk.com
Information and help for individuals and their families affected by eating disorders.

Jigsaw Project
01642 297 000
A Teesside counselling service for adult male survivors of rape, sexual assault or sexual abuse.

MALE (Men’s Advice Line and Enquiries)
020 8644 9914
A helpline for male victims of domestic violence.

NIWE Eating Distress Service
0191 261 7010
Mon-Thurs 9am – 12.30pm
A local service open to young men for information and support on eating distress.  There is an answer phone out of hours; if you leave a message the service will not say who they are when they call you unless they speak to you first.

POPAN (The Prevention Of Professional Abuse Network)
0845 450 0300
www.popan.org.uk
POPAN provide information, advocacy and support for people that have been abused by health or social care professionals. The organisation also undertakes research into professional abuse.

REACH (Rape, Examination, Advice, Counselling and Help)
Tyneside 0191 212 1551
Wearside 0191 565 3725
Textphone 0191 212 1548
www.reachcentre.org.uk
REACH arranges medical examinations by a same sex doctor and offers counselling for rape of sexual assault victims.

Self-Harm Alliance
01242 578 820
Wed – Sun 7pm – 8pm
A helpline and info service for people that self-harm. Local contact details of people that can help are available to callers.

Sexual Abuse and Rape Counselling in Hartlepool and Stockton (SEARCH)
01429 891 151
Counselling for people over 18 (including men) who have been raped and/or sexually abused at any time in their lives.

Support Line
020 8554 9004
5pm – 8pm
www.supportline.org.uk
Confidential, emotional support for young people and adults in despair. Help available with issues such as domestic violence, rape, abuse, eating disorders, self-harm and sexuality.

Survivors UK
0845 122 1201
Tues and Thurs 7pm-10pm
www.survivorsuk.org.uk
Survivors UK supports and provides resource for young men who have experienced any form of sexual violence.

First Steps
01926 851 608
10am – 10pm
www.first-steps.org
Help for carers and sufferers of anorexia and bulimia

Young People and Self-Harm
www.selfharm.org.uk
Key information resources for young people who self-harm, their friends and families. The site includes some useful help and advice and details of local and national support services.

Schizophrenia, voices and personality disorder

Borderline UK
www.borderlineuk.co.uk
A national user-led network of people with borderline personality disorder. The site includes up to date news, info and awareness campaigns.

Hearing Voices Network
0161 834 5768
www.hearing-voices.org
A network of voice hearers providing information and details self-help groups throughout the UK.

Rethink (Severe Mental Illness)
020 8974 6814
10am – 3pm
www.rethink.org
(Formerly NSF) A national voluntary organisation offering user-group support and promotion campaigns for people with schizophrenia and other severe mental illnesses.

The Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain
01248 354 048
www.sagb.co.uk
Provides info, publications and a newsletter about schizophrenia. SABG undertakes research into the causes of the illness and aims to increase public awareness.

Social Anxiety
www.social-anxiety.org.uk
Online information and membership to chatrooms, meetings and contacts for people with avoidant personality disorder.

Medication, care and treatment

Carers UK
0808 808 7777
Wed and Thurs
10am – 12pm, 2pm – 4pm
www.carersuk.org
Information and support for carers of people with mental health disorders.

CITA (Counselling and Involuntary Tranquilliser Addiction)
0151 949 0102
10am – 1pm
Support and information for people that have become involuntarily addicted to prescribed tranquillisers. CITA also provides information for people that have experienced adverse reactions or withdrawal difficulties from anti-depressants.

First Steps to Freedom
01926 851 608
10am – 10pm
www.first-steps.org
Support and information for people suffering from tranquilliser addiction.

Free Prescriptions Advice Line
0800 917 7711
Information about entitlement to free prescriptions (medical exemption certificates).

The Mental Health Act Commission
0115 943 7100
www.mhac.org.uk
Commissioners visit hospitals to inspect the care and treatment of those detained under the Mental Health Act. Patients can arrange an appointment with the commissioner either through the hospital or by phoning the above number.

UKPPG (United Kingdom Psychiatric Pharmacy Group)
020 7919 2999
11am – 5pm
www.ukppg.org.uk
Confidential information from psychiatric pharmacists about prescription drugs used for the treatment of mental health problems.

Depression, bi-polar, stress and OCD

ASSIST (Assistance, Support and Self-help In Surviving Trauma)
01788 560 800
10am – 4pm
A telephone counselling service for people experiencing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Depression Alliance
020 7633 0557
10am – 5pm
www.depressionalliance.org
A national charity that campaigns to promote awareness of depression, and provides information leaflets and operates a nationwide network of self-help groups for people with depression.

First Steps to Freedom
01926 851 608
10am – 10pm
www.first-steps.org
Help and info for people suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Manic Depression Fellowship
020 7793 0336
www.mdf.org.uk
Information and advice on bi-polar and its treatment including leaflets and books, web links, chat-rooms and benefits details. Info also available for friends and family of those with manic depression.

No Panic
0808 808 0545
10am-10pm
www.nopanic.org.uk
Help and information for people affected by OCD.

OCD Action (Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder)
020 7226 4000
Tue – Thurs
www.ocdaction.org.uk
A national charity for people with obsessive-compulsive disorder and related disorders. Provides information on disorders and treatment as well as promoting awareness and understanding of OCD.

Rural Stress Information Network
024 7641 2916
Support and information for people experiencing problems with rural affairs.

SAD Association (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
01903 814 942
www.sada.org.uk
A network of local support groups and a light box hire scheme for those affected by this disorder.

Samaritans
0845 790 9090
0845 790 9192 (Textphone)
www.samaritans.org
jo@samaritans.org
Samaritans offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to people in emotional distress including those who have suicidal feelings. E-mail support is also available with a reply within 24-hours.

Anxiety, phobias and panic attacks

NO PANIC
0808 808 0545
10am – 10pm
www.nopanic.org.uk
Provides phone counselling for people suffering from panic attacks, anxiety or phobias. Relaxation information and tapes are available.

PAX (Panic attacks, phobias and anxiety disorders)
020 8318 5026
www.panicattacks.co.uk
An information and advisory service for those affected by phobias, panic attacks or anxiety.

The Phobics Society
0870 770 0456
www.phobics-society.org.uk
Support and info for people suffering from any type of phobia.

Social Anxiety
www.social-anxiety.org.uk
Online information and membership to chatrooms, meetings and local contacts for people with social anxiety/social phobia. Provides details of local groups.

Support Line
020 8554 9004
www.supportline.org.uk
Confidential, emotional support for young people and adults experiencing distress. Advice and help is available with anxiety and phobias.

First Steps
01926 851 608
10am – 10pm
www.first-steps.org
Information and advice for people experiencing anxiety, phobias or panic attacks.