Useful Links & Resources
Below you will find useful links and resources from a range of organisations. They include helplines, and other sources of information to help you find the right support for yourself or someone you know.
If you are in crisis or need immediate help, contact your GP, NHS 111, or Samaritans on 116 123
If you’re in immediate distress or facing a mental health crisis, help is available. The following organisations offer 24/7 support, whether you’re experiencing suicidal thoughts, self-harm urges, or overwhelming emotional pain. You are not alone, and reaching out is a courageous and important first step.
🚨 Crisis, Suicide Prevention & Self-Harm
- Devon Partnership NHS Trust
- DPT provides a comprehensive range of mental health services across Devon, including urgent help, crisis support, and ongoing care. Their First Response Service offers 24/7 support for individuals experiencing mental health crises. Additionally, they provide resources for carers and information on accessing mental health services.
First Response Service: Call 111 and select the mental health option.
- Urgent Help
- https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/urgent-help/
- NHS Mental Health Help
- https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/get-help-with/
- 24 hour confidential emotional support for anyone in distress or suicidal crisis.
- (UK & Ireland)
Call 116 123
https://www.samaritans.org/
- Shout – Free, confidential 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis; text SHOUT to 85258.
https://giveusashout.org/
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK – Support and advice for people under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, and for anyone concerned about a young person.
0800 068 4141
-
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
These organisations offer a range of services to support mental health and wellbeing, including peer support, and community-based initiatives.
🧩 PTSD, Trauma and Abuse
- NHS Mental Health – Official UK government health site. Information about mental-health conditions, self-help, and where to get urgent help.
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
- Mind (UK) – Leading UK mental-health charity offering guides, A-Z information on conditions such as anxiety, depression, OCD, trauma, and support options.
https://www.mind.org.uk/
Help for Adult Victims of Child Abuse (HAVOCA) support for adults who have experienced any type of childhood abuse, run by survivors.
- https://www.havoca.org/
- PTSD UK Provides information about PTSD and C-PTSD, including different types of treatment, ways to help yourself and how to support someone with PTSD. https://www.ptsduk.org/
- Refuge Free 24-hour helpline for women who have experienced domestic abuse and violence, Run by the domestic violence charity Refuge https://refuge.org.uk/
- Mental Health Foundation – UK charity focused on prevention and public mental-health education; evidence-based articles, campaigns, and wellbeing tips.
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
- Every Mind Matters (NHS) – Self-help CBT tools, stress and anxiety management, mood tracking, and wellbeing action plans.
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
These resources provide support and information for individuals with neurodiverse conditions, including ADHD and autism.
🧠 Neurodiversity, ADHD & Autism
- ADHD UK – National charity offering videos, diagnosis information, and support for people with ADHD and their families.
https://adhduk.co.uk/
- ADHD adult UK – Peer-led organisation providing education, webinars, and resources for adults with ADHD.
https://www.adhdadult.uk/
- UKAAN (UK Adult ADHD Network) – Professional and public information on adult ADHD diagnosis and treatment.
https://www.ukaan.org/
- YoungMinds – Guidance for young people about ADHD, mental health, and managing school or work life.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/mental-health-conditions/adhd-and-mental-health/
- NHS ADHD Taskforce – Updates on national improvements in ADHD services and care.
https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/adhd/
These organisations offer information, advice and support for LGBTQ+ individuals in the South West.
🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ Support
- Intercom Trust(LGBT+) –LGBT+ led charity working with people to improve wellbeing and inclusion across South West.
https://www.intercomtrust.org.uk/
- Proud2B – Proud2Be is a grassroots, queer-led social enterprise that supports and enables LGBTQIA+ people in Devon and beyond to be free, safe, and proud to be themselves.
https://www.proud2be.org.uk/
- MindOut (Exeter)
A mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ people, working to improve mental health and wellbeing. -
https://mindout.org.uk/
- Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
Provides a listening ear and support for LGBTQ+ individuals. Call 0800 0119 100 or visit https://switchboard.lgbt./
The following resources provide information and support to help older individuals maintain their mental health and wellbeing.
👵 Ageing Well
Age UK: Offers advice and support for older people, including mental health services. Visit https://www.ageuk.org.uk/devon/
The Silver Line: A 24-hour helpline providing friendship and advice to older people. Call 0800 470 8090 or visit https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
NHS Advice for Older Adults: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/clinical-policy/older-people/healthy-ageing-caring/
NHS Older people’s community mental health team
Provides assessment and treatment for older people who are experiencing mental health problems that cannot be fully met by their GP or other support services.
- https://www.dpt.nhs.uk/service-details/service/older-peoples-community-mental-health-team-90/
The following resources offer guidance and support for families and individuals seeking help with family dynamics or relationships.
👨👩👧 Family and Relationships
- Relate Devon & Cornwall
- Relate offers professional relationship support across Devon and Cornwall. Their services include:
- Couples Counselling: For partners experiencing difficulties.
- Family Counselling: Addressing issues among family members.
- Children & Young People’s Counselling: Supporting younger individuals facing challenges.
Relate Devon & Cornwall https://www.relate.org.uk/centre/relate-devon-and-cornwall/services/family-counselling-devon-and-cornwall
- Parental Minds
- Parental Minds is dedicated to improving the mental wellbeing of parent caregivers and their young people. They provide comprehensive support, focusing on empowering parent caregivers and equipping them with the necessary tools to support their young one’s mental health.
Parental Minds
- https://parentalminds.org.uk/
- Devon Family Hubs
- Devon County Council offers family hubs across the county, providing advice and guidance to families. The Family Hubs Advice and Guidance Line allows families in Devon to speak to a trained professional who can provide support and information on various family-related issues.
https://www.devon.gov.uk/children-families-education/child-family-support/family-support/family-hubs/
- Happy Families, Happy Futures
- This initiative offers free programmes aimed at supporting parents, both together and separated, to reduce parental conflict, develop positive communication and problem-solving skills, manage emotions, and create more positive environments for their children.
- http://Futurehttps://www.devonscp.org.uk/early-help/early-help-information-for-workers/parental-relationships/happy-families-happy-futures-devon-within-my-reach/
- Both Parents Matter
- A national organisation offering information, advice, and support to parents whose children’s relationship with them is under threat during or after divorce or separation, or who have been alienated or estranged from their children.
Both Parents Matter
- https://bothparentsmatter.org.uk/
External links are provided for general information only and do not constitute professional or clinical advice. Candlewood Counselling is not responsible for the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of external websites. If you are in crisis or need immediate help, contact your GP, NHS 111, or Samaritans on 116 123
