Free Mental Health Support for Health Professionals
This is a list of free mental health support services designed specifically for UK health professionals.
Some services are available to all frontline staff, while others are profession or specialty specific (doctors and dentists, nurses, intensive care staff, clinical psychologists, pharmacists and ambulance staff). There are also national services and support for senior leaders.
If you would like your organisation to be featured here please contact me.
Our Frontline
Our Frontline offers round-the-clock one-to-one support, by call or text, from trained volunteers, plus resources, tips and ideas to look after your mental health.
Frontline19
Frontline19 is a free independent, confidential and UK based nationwide service delivering psychological support to people working on the frontline. Sessions can be anything from a 20 minute debrief to ongoing weekly support. There is currently a waiting list of 8-10 weeks.
Psychological Support Hub
A free online Psychological Support Hub for frontline workers and their families, those connected to care homes and those in the military. Access to wellbeing support sessions, and therapy for coping with distressing events.
Practitioner Health (England & Scotland)
Practitioner Health is a free, confidential NHS service for doctors and dentists across England (and currently also Scotland) with mental illness and addiction problems, who are working or looking to return to clinical practice. There is now also provision for other health professionals.
Canopi (Wales)
Mental health support for health and social care staff and students in Wales including self-help, peer support and one-to-one therapy (CBT).
HSC Northern Ireland
Psychology Helplines are open to staff from within Trusts, local GP practices, and Independent Care Providers.
British Medical Association
Confidential 24/7 counselling and peer support services open to all doctors and medical students (regardless of BMA membership), plus their partners and dependents.
British Dental Association
Counselling and emotional support helpline for BDA members.
British Doctors & Dentists Group
A mutual/self-help group of doctors and dentists who are recovering from chemical addiction – alcohol and/or drugs (prescription and non-prescription) – and other addictions.
Doctor's Support Network
Peer support for doctors and medical students with mental health concerns.
Royal College of Psychiatrists
The Psychiatrists’ Support Service provides free, rapid, high quality peer support by telephone to psychiatrists of all grades who may be experiencing personal or work-related difficulties.
Royal College of Surgeons
Confidential support and advice line for members.
Royal College of Nursing
Telephone counselling service for members to help you deal with challenging, emotional issues you may face, whether work related or personal. There is currently a waiting list of 5-8 weeks.
Intensive Care Society
Access to 6 sessions of psychological therapy for anyone working in intensive care. Their wellbeing hub also offers access to a peer support programme, training events and numerous wellbeing resources.
Association of Clinical Psychologists
For ACP-UK members. The scheme provides all ACP-UK trainee and qualified full members with, confidential support from other clinical psychologists who will listen, advise and help. Sessions are free for trainees, and subsidised for qualified members, based on length of ACP membership.
Pharmacist Support
The Listening Friends telephone service for pharmacists (including trainees and students) is provided by trained volunteers who offer callers the opportunity to talk anonymously and in confidence to a pharmacist about any stresses they are facing in their work or home life.
The Ambulance Staff Charity
Providing counselling and therapy for ambulance staff, including specialist support for PTSD and trauma.
Association of Clinical Psychologists
The ACP is providing brief psychological interventions for senior leaders. These sessions offer a confidential, expert ear and informed strategies to help with a wide range of issues.