Anger

How anger can feel

Anger feels different for everyone. You might experience some of the things listed below. You might also have other experiences or difficulties that aren’t listed here.

Effects of anger on your body

You might feel:

• An uncomfortable or churning feeling in your stomach
• Tightness in your chest
• An increased and rapid heartbeat
• Your legs go weak
• Tense muscles
• You feel hot
• You have an urge to go to the toilet
• Sweating
• Headaches or tension in your head or eyes
• Shaking or trembling
• Dizziness
• Grinding your teeth

Effects of anger on your mind

You might feel:

• Tense, nervous or unable to relax
• Guilty
• Resentful towards other people or situations
• Easily irritated
• Overwhelmed
• Like you can’t control yourself
• Like a ‘red mist’ is coming over you or you’re ‘seeing red’
• Humiliated

How you might act when you’re angry

How you act when you’re angry can depend on how you identify and cope with your feelings. And how you’ve learned to express them.

Not everyone expresses anger in the same way. For example, some ways you may have learned to express anger include:

• Outward aggression – such as shouting, swearing, slamming doors, hitting or throwing things, being physically violent, threatening others, or being verbally abusive
• Inward aggression – such as telling yourself that you hate yourself, denying yourself basic needs (like food or sleep), avoiding things that might make you happy, isolating yourself from others or self-harming
• Non-violent or passive aggression – such as ignoring people, refusing to speak to them, suggesting you might leave or do something to hurt yourself, refusing to do tasks or deliberately doing them poorly or late, or saying sarcastic or indirectly unkind things

Recognising these signs may give you a chance to think about how you want to react to a situation before doing or saying anything. This can be very difficult in the heat of the moment. But the earlier you notice how you’re feeling, the easier it may be to manage your anger.

Anger and stigma

We all express our emotions differently. This can be impacted by our culture, our personality, how we were brought up and many other things.

Some people struggle to understand when others express their emotions in a different way to them. Because of this, we may sometimes feel judged about the way we express our anger. Or people may assume we’re angry when we’re not.

There are also lots of negative stereotypes around anger. Some of us may be judged more harshly for our anger than others. This could be due to racism, sexism or other forms of discrimination or bias.

Because of this, you may feel like you need to suppress your own feelings of anger or hurt. Or you may worry that you’ll be blamed or judged if you express your feelings, when others wouldn’t be.

This can be very frustrating and upsetting, especially if it impacts your daily life, job or relationships. Or if it means that you feel like you have to accept being mistreated. But it’s important to remember that you deserve support and respect. And that your feelings are valid.

Why do I get angry?

We can feel angry for many different reasons. It might be because of a difficult situation we’re experiencing. Or something that happened to us in the past. Sometimes, we might feel anger because of how we interpret and react to certain situations.

People can interpret situations differently. Something that makes you feel very angry may not make someone else feel angry at all. But just because we can interpret things differently, it doesn’t mean that you’re interpreting things ‘wrong’ if you get angry.

How and when you feel angry, and how you react to anger, can depend on lots of factors in your life, including your:

• Childhood and upbringing
• Past experiences
• Current circumstances
• Health and wellbeing

Whether your anger is about something that happened in the past or something happening now, thinking about how and why you interpret and react to situations can help.  You can learn how to cope with your emotions better and find ways to manage your anger. See below for information on managing your anger.

Childhood and upbringing

 How we learn to cope with angry feelings is often influenced by our upbringing. Many people are given messages about anger as children. These messages may make it harder to manage anger as an adult. For example:

• You may have grown up thinking that it’s always okay to act out your anger aggressively or violently. So you didn’t learn how to understand and manage your angry feelings. This could mean you have angry outbursts whenever you don’t like the way someone is behaving. Or whenever you’re in a situation you don’t like.
• You may have been brought up to believe that you shouldn’t complain. You may have been punished for expressing anger as a child. This could mean that you tend to suppress your anger. If you don’t feel you can release your anger in a healthy way, it can become a long-term problem. If you’re not comfortable with new situations, your reaction to them might be out of place or ill-fitting. Or you might turn this anger inwards on yourself.
• You may have witnessed your parents’ or other adults’ anger when it was out of control. And learned to think of anger as something that is always destructive and terrifying. This could mean that you now feel afraid of your own anger. And you don’t feel safe expressing your feelings when something makes you angry. Those feelings might then surface at another unconnected time. This may feel hard to explain.

Past experiences

Sometimes the anger we’re feeling right now can be related to our past experiences. This might mean that we react more strongly to a situation we’re experiencing in the present, because of our anger about what happened to us in the past.

If you’ve experienced situations in the past that made you feel angry, you might still be coping with those angry feelings now, especially if you weren’t able to safely express your anger at the time. Those situations could include abuse, trauma, racism or bullying (either as a child or more recently as an adult).

This might mean that you now find some situations very difficult, and more likely to make you angry.

Becoming aware of this can help us to find ways of responding to current circumstances in a safer or more helpful way.

Current circumstances

You might feel angry about things that are going on in your life right now. Or your current circumstances might make it harder to cope with or manage your emotions. There may be situations that make you feel angry, but you struggle to express or resolve your anger at the time. So you might find that you express your anger at other times.

Some experiences that may be difficult include:

• Stress – if you’re dealing with a lot of other problems in your life right now, you might find yourself feeling angry more easily than usual. Or you might get angry at unrelated things. Our pages on stress have more information
• Bereavement – anger can be a part of grief. If you’ve lost someone important to you, it can be hugely difficult to cope with all the conflicting things you might be feeling. These pages on bereavement have more information. Cruse Bereavement Support can also offer support and information if you’ve experienced a bereavement
• Discrimination or injustice – things such as experiences of racism can make you feel angry, particularly if you’re being treated unfairly, if you feel powerless to do anything about it, or if people around you don’t understand. We have information that may help if you experience discrimination based on your race or ethnicity, or your sexual or gender identity
• Upsetting or worrying events – you might feel angry about things that are happening in the world right now. You may see things going on which you know aren’t right but that you feel powerless to stop. Or you may feel angry at the decisions made by people in power, or by the attitudes of others about issues that matter to you. Mind’s pages on coping with distressing events in the news have more information

Health and wellbeing

Our physical and mental health can impact how we feel, and how we manage our emotions. This can include:

• Hormones – changes in our hormones can have a big effect on our moods and emotions. This can include feeling anger which is stronger than normal, occurs in cycles, or is more difficult to control or understand. You may struggle with anger in the lead up to, during or after the menopause. Or you may notice links between your anger and your periods, or any contraception that affects your hormones
• Physical pain – ongoing or chronic pain can make you feel angry, especially if you don’t get the support you need or feel you’ve been treated unfairly
• Mental health problems – some mental health problems may make us experience higher levels of anger, or make it harder to manage difficult feelings. Mind’s A-Z of mental health has more information on different mental health problems and experiences
• General wellbeing – things such as sleep, food and exercise can have a big impact on our moods, including our anger levels

What can I do to manage my anger?

 It can be frightening when your anger overwhelms you. And it can be very difficult to manage it in the moment. But there are a few things you can try.

Remember: If your anger can be violent or abusive, this can cause serious problems in your life and relationships. It can be very damaging to the people around you. In this case, it’s essential to seek professional treatment and support for your anger.

Managing anger in the moment

If you’re really angry, it can be very difficult to calm down in the moment.

It may help to try to delay your reaction for as long as possible. Allowing some time between when you first feel angry and when you react may help you feel calmer or more in control.

Here’s some things you can try:

• Think to yourself ‘I’m feeling really angry right now’ without trying to justify it or understand why – accepting the feeling without trying to explain it can sometimes be helpful
• Take yourself out of the situation – you could go for a walk, go to a different room or log off if the situation is online
• Use a code word for when you feel angry – you could say this to others or to yourself to signal that you need some time to yourself before talking any further. This may help you avoid having to explain yourself in the moment
• Focus on what’s around you – use the 54321 method. Try listing five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste
• Focus on your breath – breathe slowly and deeply. Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Some people find it helpful to count while doing this
• Use a grounding object – keep a small object with you to hold and focus on when you feel angry. For example, you could use a marble, a fidget toy or a piece of fabric
• Keep notes on your phone – add reminders to yourself about what to do when you feel angry

Try some ways to distract or calm yourself

If possible, try to do something to distract yourself for a while before trying to deal with the situation that made you feel angry.

Doing something to distract yourself mentally or physically can help stop your anger escalating. It could be anything that completely changes your situation, thoughts or patterns.

Not all these tips work for everyone. You may need to experiment and try different things until you find what works for you.

• Relax your body – if you can feel your body getting tense, try focusing on each part of your body in turn to tense and then relax your muscles. See Mind’s pages on relaxation for more tips on how to relax
• Try mindfulness techniques – mindfulness can help you to be aware of when you’re getting angry. And it can help calm your body and mind. See Mind’s pages on mindfulness to learn more
• Try to avoid rumination – rumination is when we think about an issue or problem over and over again in our head. For example, you may be thinking of all the reasons why you feel angry. This can be unhelpful in the moment, as it may make you feel more distressed or worked up. Try to remember that you don’t need to ‘solve’ or justify your anger. And you can distract yourself for now and then come back to the issue once you feel more in control
• Take a cold shower – or try running cold water on your hands and face
• Talk to a trusted person who’s not connected to the situation – this could be a friend, family member, counsellor or peer support group. Expressing your thoughts out loud may help you understand why you’re angry and help calm you. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, you can call the Samaritans. The helpline is confidential, open 24 hours a day and you can talk about anything that’s upsetting you. See the useful contacts section below
• Use up your energy safely in other ways – this can help relieve some of your angry feelings in a way that doesn’t hurt you or others. For example, you could try tearing up paper, hitting a pillow or smashing ice cubes
• Do some physical activity – it may help to work off your anger through exercise or other physical activity. Sports like running or boxing can be helpful for releasing pent up energy. Or putting on upbeat music and dancing
• Do something with your hands – try fixing or making something. Or do something creative like drawing or colouring
• Express your anger through writing or art – for example, you could write all of your feelings down in a journal or record them to yourself on your phone. This may help you get those feelings out of your head. Some people find it helpful to do this and then rip up or delete the notes afterwards
• Spend time in green space – or bring nature into your everyday life. This can reduce stress or anger and help you feel more relaxed. See Mind’s pages on nature and mental health for more information

Remember: Learning new techniques to help manage your feelings can take time and practice. Try to be patient and gentle with yourself as you learn these new skills.

How can I manage my anger long term?

If you think about how to manage your anger when you’re feeling calmer, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by it in the heat of the moment. This page covers some of the things you can do:

• Look out for warning signs
• Learn your triggers
• Examine your thought patterns
• Develop your communication skills
• Look at your lifestyle
• Take action

Look out for warning signs

Anger can cause a rush of adrenaline through your body. So before you recognise the emotion you’re feeling you might notice:

• Your heart is beating faster
• Your breathing is quicker
• Your body is becoming tense
• You’re clenching your jaw or fists

Learning to recognise these signs may help you think about how you want to react to a situation before you do anything. This can be difficult in the heat of the moment. But the earlier you notice how you’re feeling, the easier it may be to choose how to manage your anger.

Learn your triggers

Understanding what sort of situations trigger your anger can help. You may be able to develop ways to cope and think about how to react before the situation happens. You might find it helpful to keep a diary or make notes about the times you’ve felt angry. You could record:

• What were the circumstances?
• Did someone say or do something to trigger your anger?
• How did you feel?
• How did you act?
• How did you feel afterwards?

If you do this for a while, you might start to see patterns emerging. You could do this yourself using a mood diary. Many are available online for free.

You could also ask a professional therapist to support you to understand your triggers. See below for information on treatment and support for anger.

Examine your thought patterns

 If you’re feeling upset or angry, you might find yourself automatically thinking or saying things like:

• “This is all their fault.”
• “They never listen.”
• “This always happens to me.”
• “Other people should behave better.”

It can make you feel worse if you think in terms of ‘always’, ‘never’ and ‘should’. In reality things are rarely so black and white. Trying to replace these words with softer terms like ‘sometimes’ or ‘could’ when thinking about your situation might help you. They could break up negative thought patterns, help you to reflect more calmly on your situation and find new ways through conflicts.

When you’re feeling angry, it may also help to try to name any emotions you experience. There may be several. Without justifying or explaining, try to acknowledge and accept them. For example, you may say, “I feel angry, rejected and scared right now”. You can do this out loud, in your head or write it down. Accepting our emotions for what they are can sometimes be a helpful first step in being able to manage them.

Develop your communication skills

Our anger can sometimes get in the way of communicating our feelings and thoughts effectively. People may focus on our anger and find it hard to listen to what we’re saying.

If you can express your anger by talking in an assertive, respectful way about what has made you angry, then you may be more likely to be listened to or understood by others.

Being assertive means standing up for yourself while still respecting other people and their opinions. It can:

• Make communication easier
• Stop tense situations getting out of control
• Benefit your relationships and self-esteem

Learning to be assertive might not feel easy to start with, but here are some things to try:

• What’s making you angry, and what do you want to change? – is it enough just to explain what you’re angry about?
• Be specific – for example, you could open your statement with “I feel angry with you because…” Using the phrase ‘I feel’ avoids blaming anyone and the other person is less likely to feel attacked
• Really listen to the other person’s response – try to understand their point of view.
• Keep practising – try not to worry if the conversation doesn’t always go the way you hoped it would. If you feel yourself getting angry, you might want to come back to the conversation another time

The organisation MindTools provides tips on respectful assertiveness on its website.

Look at your lifestyle

Looking after your wellbeing more generally could help you feel calmer and more in control when things happen that make you feel angry. You might want to:

• Think about how you use drugs and alcohol – although you might feel this could help you cope in the short term, alcohol and drugs can affect our ability to control our emotions and actions. They can also be a factor in violence. For information and support on reducing or stopping the use of drugs or alcohol, you can contact Turning Point or Alcoholics Anonymous. See our pages on the mental health effects of alcohol and recreational drugs for more information
• Try to get active – being physically active can help let out any tension you’re feeling. It can also have benefits to your self-esteem. Even gentle exercise like going for a walk can make a difference. See Mind’s pages on physical activity for more information
• Try to get good sleep – not sleeping well can have a huge impact on how we’re feeling, and how well we cope with things that happen to us. See our pages on sleep problems for more information
• Think about what you eat and drink – see Mind’s page on food and mental health for more information
• Find ways to manage stress – we can feel pressured or stressed for lots of different reasons. Taking some time to learn how to deal with pressure can help us feel more in control of difficult situations. See our page on managing stress for more information
• Take care online – there’s lots on the internet that may make us feel angry or distressed. It can be hard to avoid. And sometimes we might look at this content more than we’d like, or get into arguments with others online. It could help to take breaks from the internet. Or change the accounts you follow or websites you visit. Mind’s pages on online mental health have more information

Take action

Sometimes our anger can be caused by problems within our communities or our wider society. This can make us feel powerless or frustrated. But sometimes anger can be a helpful tool. You could try and direct your anger into working for positive change.

It can be hard to know where to start but things to think about include:

• Mind campaigns – visit the Mind campaigns page to find out how they’re campaigning for change, and how to get involved
• Community groups – there might be campaigns or volunteering projects to improve your local area and community. Do IT has information on volunteer groups in your area
• Other charities or campaign groups – there are many charities or groups trying to make a difference to the world. You may be able to get involved with their work or support them. This could be through fundraising, campaigning, signing petitions or supporting them on social media
• Take part in local decisions – your area may have regular meetings of local, parish or town councils. You can often attend these meetings to have a say in decisions affecting your community. The UK Government website has a search tool to find your local council
• Write to your MP – you can contact your local member of parliament (MP) to tell them about a problem in your area and ask them to take action. The UK Parliament website has information on how to contact an MP
• Share your story – sharing your experiences with others can be a powerful way to help others or to create change. You could do this through peer support groups or you could share your experiences online

What help is available for anger?

There are various treatments available that can help you with your anger problems. This page covers:

• Talking therapies and counselling
• Anger management programmes
• Help for abusive and violent behaviour

It may be that your difficulties with anger are related to a mental health problem or traumatic experiences. If this is the case, you might find that treatment and support for this also addresses your anger.

Talking therapies and counselling

Talking therapies and counselling involve talking about your problems with a trained professional, such as a counsellor or psychotherapist. They can help you explore the causes of your anger and ways to manage it. This may help you understand your feelings and improve your responses to situations that make you angry.

There are different types of talking therapies which might be able to help you cope with or manage your anger.

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is highly structured short-term talking therapy. It examines how your thoughts, feelings and behaviours affect each other. It also aims to teach you practical skills to change this. CBT is the most commonly offered talking therapy on the NHS. You could also try to learn CBT techniques by yourself using self-help books from your local library, or free, online apps
• Counselling is a treatment where you might talk through a specific issue. For example, outbursts of anger with your partner or in the workplace. And try to understand how you could manage those situations differently
• Psychodynamic therapy often lasts longer than counselling and tends to go deeper into past experiences. Your focus here may be on learning more about yourself to help you understand why you express your anger the way you do. Or why certain situations make you angry

For more information about different kinds of talking treatments and how they can help, see Mind’s pages on talking therapies.

How do I access these treatments for anger?

To access most treatments, the first step is usually to talk to your GP. In some areas, you can also self-refer for counselling through NHS Talking therapies.

Some workplaces, higher education institutions and local charities offer free or low-cost counselling services to their employees, students or local residents.

You could try searching for a private course or therapist specialising in anger. You can use the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy’s (BACP) website to search for accredited therapists near you. Unfortunately, this can be expensive so may not be possible.

Some private therapists offer a sliding scale of payment, depending on your circumstances. So, it may be worth checking their website or contacting them to see if this is something they can do.

See Mind’s pages on talking therapies for more information about private therapy.

You can also see Mind’s pages on seeking help for a mental health problem for tips on how to talk to your doctor about your mental health.

 Anger when trying to seek support

Accessing treatment and support can be challenging. You might experience setbacks or delays. It’s understandable that you might feel frustrated or angry about this – especially if you don’t feel you’re getting the help you need. Or if you’re not being listened to.

Anger management programmes

These are a specific kind of talking therapy for people who struggle with anger issues. They often involve working in a group or one-to-one sessions. They may use a mixture of counselling and CBT techniques. You can try:

• NHS anger management courses – many NHS Trusts run free local anger management services – you can ask your GP what’s available near you
• Local Mind anger management courses – some local Minds also provide free counselling or anger management services. Contact your local Mind directly to check whether they offer anger management services
• Online self-help – some organisations have produced online self-help guides for managing anger. See useful contacts information below

Help for abusive and violent behaviour

If your anger means you’re acting in an abusive or violent way, it’s important to get help. You might feel worried that asking for help will get you in trouble. But it’s often the most important first step towards changing your behaviour. You can contact:

• Your GP – they can talk through your options with you and refer you on to any local services. In many areas, the NHS, social services or your local council will run programmes to help perpetrators of domestic abuse change their behaviour
• Respect – runs a phoneline offering advice, information and support on 0808 802 4040. The phoneline is open from Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm. It’s for anyone who is concerned about their use of violence or abuse towards their partner and for those supporting them. You can also email info@respectphoneline.org.uk. Or use Respect’s online live chat on Thursdays 2pm to 4pm
• The Freedom Programme – runs online and in-person courses for anyone who wants to change their abusive behaviour
• The Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP) – runs courses to help people learn new ways to tackle situations where violence could arise

 Local support (update with local support)

• ADAPT is a course run across Hampshire and the Channel Islands to support people to change abusive or violent behaviour.

Please note:

• We do not endorse any particular support service, including those listed on this page. We have no knowledge of their services or performance
• This is not a complete list. You may be able to find other services near you through online searches or local organisations
• It may be helpful to contact local organisations directly to see if they are a good fit for you and your needs

What can friends and family do?

This page covers:

• How can I support someone who is experiencing anger?
• What if their behaviour is abusive or violent?
• What if they don’t recognise they have a problem?

How can I support someone who is experiencing anger?

It can be very difficult when someone you care about is experiencing problems with anger. Especially if they sometimes direct their anger towards you, others close to them, or themselves.

We’re all responsible for our own actions. Ultimately it will be up to them to learn how to manage and express their anger appropriately. But there are still lots of things you can do to help support them:

• Stay calm – although you probably have a lot of difficult feelings of your own, if you can stay calm it can help to stop anger escalating
• Try to listen to them – if you can, allow them time to communicate their feelings without judging them. Often when someone feels that they’re being listened to, they are more able to hear other people’s points of view as well. And sometimes just being given permission to communicate angry feelings can be enough to help someone calm down
• Give them space – if you notice that continuing the conversation is making it worse, give them space to calm down and think. This could be something like going into another room for a while, or spending a few days apart. It’s important to give yourself space as well, so you don’t find yourself getting too angry
• Set boundaries – while there are lots of reasons why this can be difficult, it’s important to set limits and boundaries. Be clear in advance about what sort of behaviour is and isn’t acceptable to you. And think about what action you can take if someone crosses the line. You don’t have to put up with any behaviour that makes you feel unsafe or seriously affects your own wellbeing
• Help them identify their triggers – this is something you can try when you’re both feeling calm, away from any heated situation. Identifying someone’s triggers for anger can help you both think about ways you can avoid triggering situations. And you can plan how to handle them and how to communicate when they do arise. But try not to be judgemental, or accusatory. It can be useful to give specific examples of when you remember them getting angry. But be aware that this is probably upsetting for them to think about
• Support them to seek professional help – for example, you could help them arrange to see their GP, or help research anger management courses
• Look after your own wellbeing – it can be difficult at times to support someone else, so make sure you’re looking after your own wellbeing too. See below for information on how to cope when supporting someone else

What if their behaviour is abusive or violent?

Just because someone seems very angry, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will become violent or abusive. The NHS pages on abuse have some information on how to recognise the signs of abuse and seek support.

But if someone does become violent or abusive, the most important thing is to make sure that you’re safe.

• Don’t confront someone who is behaving aggressively. If you want to talk to them, wait until the situation has calmed down
• You may want to make a safety plan. This might include:
  • Making a list of phone numbers of people, organisations and services that you can call if you’re unsafe or need urgent support
  • Arranging to stay at a friend’s or neighbour’s house until things are calm
  • Thinking about the safest and quickest ways you can access money, a phone and transport
  • Having a bag prepared to leave in an emergency
  • Women’s Aid has more information about safety plans and how to leave an abusive relationship safely
• Refuge runs safe houses for women and children escaping domestic abuse. You can contact them to find a place in a refuge
• The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is run by Refuge. It’s available 24 hours day on 0808 2000 247. It’s for women experiencing domestic violence who need advice and support. There’s also a webchat service available Monday to Friday, 3pm to 10pm. And a BSL Helpline available Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm
• Women’s Aid offers information, an online forum, support and information for children and young people. It has a directory of local services for women and children experiencing domestic abuse. It also offers a webchat service available on weekdays, 8am to 6pm and weekends, 10am to 6pm
• Men’s Advice Line offers support to male victims of domestic abuse. You can call for free on 0808 801 0327 Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8.30pm and Friday, 10am to 4.30pm. A webchat service is available on Wednesdays, 10am to 11.30am and 2.30pm to 4pm or you can email info@mensadviceline.org.uk. It also provides information and links to local services and refuges
• Galop offers support to LGBT+ people who’ve experienced domestic abuse. You can call for free on 0800 999 5428. The helpline is open Monday to Thursday, 10am to 8.30pm and Friday, 10am to 4.30pm. You can also email help@galop.org.uk or contact Galop through webchat
• You can call the police. If your safety is in danger – or the safety of others in your home, such as children – dial 999. You might feel worried about getting your loved one in trouble, but it’s important to always put your own safety first

Mind’s guide to support options for abuse has more information and links to different services.

What if they don’t recognise they have a problem?

 You might find that the person you are supporting doesn’t recognise they have a problem or refuses to seek help.

It’s understandable to feel frustrated, distressed and powerless as a result of this. But it’s important to accept that they are an individual, and that there are always limits to what you can do to support another person.

Mind’s pages on helping someone seek help have more information on what you can and can’t do in this situation.

Useful contacts 

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)

0800 9177 650
help@aamail.org (email helpline)
alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Help and support for anyone with alcohol problems.

Beat

0808 801 0677 (England)
beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Offers information and advice on eating disorders, and runs a supportive online community. Also provides a directory of support services at HelpFinder.

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

bacp.co.uk
Professional body for talking therapy and counselling. Provides information and a list of accredited therapists.

Combat Stress

0800 1381 619
combatstress.org.uk
Treatment and support for armed forces veterans who have mental health problems.

Cruse Bereavement Support

0808 808 1677
cruse.org.uk
Information and support after a bereavement.

Galop

0207 704 2040 (LGBT+ hate crime helpline)
0800 999 5428 (LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline)
0800 130 3335 (Conversion therapy helpline)
help@galop.org.uk
galop.org.uk
Provides helplines and other support for LGBT+ adults and young people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse.

Men’s Advice Line

0808 801 0327
mensadviceline.org.uk
Confidential advice and support for men who have experienced domestic violence and abuse by a current or ex-partner or family member.

Mind

Mind’s helplines provide information and support by phone and email.

Local Minds offer face-to-face services across England and Wales. These services include talking therapies, peer support and advocacy.

Side by Side is our supportive online community for anyone experiencing a mental health problem.

Mind Tools

mindtools.com
Tips and articles on personal effectiveness, management and leadership.

The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC)

0808 801 0331
support@napac.org.uk
napac.org.uk
Supports adult survivors of any form of childhood abuse. Offers a helpline, email support and local services.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

0808 2000 247
nationaldahelpline.org.uk
Free 24-hour helpline for women who have experienced domestic abuse and violence, with all female advisors. Also offers a live chat and can help to find refuge accommodation. Run by the domestic violence charity Refuge.

Refuge

0808 2000 247
refuge.org.uk
Support, information and advocacy for women and children who have experienced domestic violence and abuse.

Respect

respect.uk.net
Information and support for people who are worried about their violent or aggressive behaviour towards loved ones, and for male victims of domestic abuse.

Samaritans

116 123 (freephone)
jo@samaritans.org
Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS
samaritans.org
Samaritans are open 24/7 for anyone who needs to talk. You can visit some Samaritans branches in person.

Turning Point

turning-point.co.uk
Health and social care services in England for people with a learning disability. Also supports people with mental health problems, drug and alcohol abuse or unemployment.

Women’s Aid (England)

Women’s Aid Live Chat support
womensaid.org.uk
Information and support for women and children who have experienced domestic abuse, including support by live chat, a directory of local services and a forum.