Crisis Help
Urgent mental health support information and crisis routes.
OPEN GUIDEFind the support or information you need
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health information and crisis routes, use the Crisis Help button below.
complaint against public services: Mental Health Support
Mental health difficulties can affect anyone, including people experiencing anxiety, depression, stress, trauma, isolation or challenges involving public services. Finding the right information and support can make a meaningful difference. Right First Time UK provides accessible mental health information, practical guidance and signposting to help people understand their options, protect their wellbeing and access appropriate services.
If you need to make a complaint against public services because of poor treatment, communication problems, unreasonable delays or difficulties accessing mental health support, it is important to understand your rights and the correct complaints procedure.
Understanding Mental Health Support
Our Mental Health Help & Support hub brings together information covering:
- Anxiety, depression and emotional wellbeing: Understanding common mental health difficulties and finding appropriate support.
- NHS mental health services: Information about accessing NHS mental health support, GP referrals, talking therapies and specialist services.
- Mental health and disability rights: Understanding reasonable adjustments, accessible communication and protection against disability discrimination.
- Families, carers and young people: Information for parents and carers supporting mental health and others supporting someone experiencing mental health difficulties.
- Financial hardship and public services: Understanding how problems involving benefits, housing, employment or public authorities can affect mental wellbeing, including financial stress and wellbeing.
- Complaints and accountability: Finding the correct routes for raising concerns about treatment, service quality or administrative decisions.
Your Rights When Services Let You Down
People seeking mental health support should be treated with dignity, fairness and respect. Depending on the circumstances, relevant protections may include the Equality Act 2010, NHS complaints procedures, data protection rights and the responsibilities of public authorities.
If you believe a public body has made an incorrect decision or failed to provide an appropriate service, you may be able to request an explanation, submit a complaint, seek a review or use an independent escalation process. Our public-service complaint process guides explain different routes. Different organisations have different procedures and deadlines. Keeping copies of letters, emails, decisions and other evidence can help you explain what happened.
Making a Complaint and Finding Support
Making a complaint against public services should not prevent someone from seeking ongoing mental health care or urgent assistance. Where possible, clearly explain what happened, when it happened, how it affected you and what outcome you are requesting.
Right First Time UK helps people find relevant public information, understand complaints procedures and identify official sources of guidance. We provide independent information and signposting, not clinical treatment, crisis intervention, regulated legal advice or individual mental health assessments.
Urgent help: If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental health help in England, contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You can also use the Crisis Help guide below.
Mental Health Information Hub
A broad starting point for mental health information and support.
OPEN GUIDESupport Directory
Find organisations, services and support options.
OPEN GUIDELocal Support Finder
Help finding local mental health and community support.
OPEN GUIDESearch Information
Search Right First Time UK guides, information and resources.
SEARCH INFORMATIONGet Help With a Problem
Use guided help to explain what has happened and find possible next steps.
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Urgent Help & Finding Support
UK Crisis Help: Emotional & Financial Support Available
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department. In England, call NHS 111 for urgent mental health support.
OPEN GUIDESuicide Prevention & Crisis Awareness
Right First Time UK believes every life matters and that people deserve support, understanding, compassion, and access to help during difficult periods.
OPEN GUIDEUK Self-Harm Support: Guide to Recovery & Help
Some people who self-harm may also experience suicidal thoughts, but many people who self-harm are not trying to end their life. Self-harm is often used to cope with emotional…
OPEN GUIDEMental Health Support: Recognise Signs & Seek Help
Seek urgent help if you or someone else is in immediate danger, has suicidal thoughts with intent, cannot stay safe, or is experiencing a severe mental health crisis.
OPEN GUIDEMental Health Support Directory (UK)
If you are struggling with your mental health, supporting someone else, experiencing a crisis, or simply looking for advice, support is available.
OPEN GUIDEMental Health Local Support Finder (UK)
Finding the right support can sometimes feel difficult, especially when you are already struggling with your mental health. This Local Support Finder is designed to help people…
OPEN GUIDEUnderstanding Mental Health
Comprehensive Guide to Mental Health Conditions UK
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
OPEN GUIDEComprehensive Adult Mental Health Support Resources
Get urgent help if you or someone else is in immediate danger, cannot stay safe, has suicidal thoughts with intent, or is experiencing a severe mental health crisis.
OPEN GUIDEEssential Mental Health Guide for Young Adults (16-25)
For urgent mental health help in England, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
OPEN GUIDESupport for Children & Young People in the UK
Children experience powerful emotions just like adults, but may not always know how to explain what they feel.
OPEN GUIDENeurodiversity & Mental Health Guide for UK Residents
Being neurodivergent is not the same as having poor mental health.
OPEN GUIDEIntrusive Thoughts, Paranoia & Mental Health Support (UK)
The NHS, GPs, mental health services, talking therapies, community organisations and specialist support services can help people understand what they are experiencing and identify…
OPEN GUIDEFamilies, Relationships & Caring
Guide to Mental Health for Parents & Carers (UK)
Parenting and caring can be rewarding, but they can also be emotionally, physically, financially and mentally demanding.
OPEN GUIDESupporting a Child's Mental Health
A child may struggle with their mental health because of school pressure, bullying, family problems, trauma, bereavement, separation, poverty, abuse, online harms, disability,…
OPEN GUIDESupporting a Friend or Family Member
Watching a friend, partner, family member, colleague, child, parent, or loved one struggle with their mental health can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming.
OPEN GUIDEHow to Help Someone with Mental Health Issues
How do I help someone with depression? How do I help someone with anxiety? What should I say to someone who is struggling? What should I do if someone may be suicidal? How can…
OPEN GUIDEUK Relationship Mental Health Support Guide
Relationships can provide support, affection, security, companionship and belonging. Difficulties can also cause significant emotional strain.
OPEN GUIDESupport for Family Separation & Emotional Wellbeing
Family separation can affect adults, children, extended family relationships and almost every part of daily life.
OPEN GUIDESeparated Families, Shared Care, Parenting Conflict & Mental Health Support Guide (UK)
This guide is for separated parents, carers, guardians, step-parents, kinship carers, grandparents, children, young people, and families affected by separation, shared care, child…
OPEN GUIDETrauma, Abuse, Grief & Recovery
Domestic Abuse & Trauma Support - Every Victim Heard
No person or child should feel unsafe, controlled, frightened, threatened or isolated within a relationship or home. Domestic abuse is not always physical. Emotional abuse,…
OPEN GUIDEUK Bereavement & Grief Support Resources Guide
There is no fixed timetable and no universal grieving process. Feelings can change from day to day and may return unexpectedly months or years later.
OPEN GUIDERehabilitation (Rehab) & Recovery Support Guide (UK)
Rehabilitation — often called rehab — is a broad term for treatment, therapy, education, practical support and recovery services that help people regain independence, improve…
OPEN GUIDESelf-Care & Recovery
Life can sometimes become emotionally overwhelming due to stress, trauma, mental health struggles, family breakdown, financial pressure, isolation, grief, domestic abuse,…
OPEN GUIDEBuilding Confidence & Resilience
Confidence and resilience are important parts of mental wellbeing.
OPEN GUIDEEveryday Wellbeing
Sleep & Mental Health: Understanding the Connection
Trusted NHS and government information about sleep and mental health.
OPEN GUIDEExercise & Wellbeing
Exercise and physical activity play an important role in both physical and mental wellbeing. Regular movement can help improve mood, reduce stress, support better sleep, increase…
OPEN GUIDEFood & Mental Health Guide — Wellbeing Tips
Food can support mental and physical wellbeing, but no single food cures anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism, trauma or another mental-health condition. Nutrition is one part of…
OPEN GUIDEMindfulness & Stress Management (UK)
Stress is a normal part of life. Most people experience stress at some point due to work, education, family responsibilities, finances, health concerns, relationships, caring…
OPEN GUIDEGuide to Physical and Mental Health in the UK
Physical illness can contribute to anxiety, depression, stress, loneliness, sleep problems, grief and emotional exhaustion. Mental-health difficulties can also affect pain,…
OPEN GUIDEUnderstanding Isolation & Loneliness: Rebuilding Support
Relationship breakdown, family conflict, financial pressure, mental-health difficulties, housing problems, caring, work stress, bereavement, trauma and major life changes can all…
OPEN GUIDEMoney, Work & Life Pressures
Managing Financial Stress and Mental Health Support
Money worries can affect mental health, relationships, physical wellbeing, confidence, parenting, sleep and daily life. Seeking help early is a practical and positive step.
OPEN GUIDEGuide to Work Stress & Mental Health in the UK
Work can support wellbeing, but pressure, uncertainty or an unhealthy workplace can also affect mental and physical health.
OPEN GUIDEUK Addiction & Mental Health Support Guide
Many people experiencing addiction are also coping with anxiety, depression, trauma, loneliness, grief, chronic pain, financial difficulties or other challenges. Recovery is…
OPEN GUIDESpecific Communities & Situations
LGBTQ+ Mental Health Support Guide for the UK
If someone is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. In England, call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option for urgent help.
OPEN GUIDESupport for Veterans' Mental Health in the UK
You do not need to wait until a crisis develops. Early support can improve wellbeing, relationships, confidence and long-term recovery.
OPEN GUIDEComplete Guide to Power of Attorney (UK)
A Power of Attorney is a legal arrangement that allows one person to give another person authority to act or make certain decisions on their behalf.
OPEN GUIDEMental health and financial support
Money worries and wellbeing
Financial Stress & WellbeingGuidance where money problems are affecting mental health or wellbeing.Food & Essential Living SupportPractical help where financial pressure is affecting access to essentials.Energy Bills & Utilities SupportHelp where utility or energy costs are contributing to financial stress.