Challenges, wellbeing and additional support
We understand that there may be times when you need additional support, whether your circumstances are temporary or permanent. At Equals, we want to make sure we are here to support you. Telling us about challenges or health and wellbeing concerns might relieve some stress and if you decide to speak with us, we're here for you and will work with you to see how best we can support you. Alternatively, you'll find some resources below that might be helpful.
Mental health
Mental health can affect you in many ways and can lead to feelings of stress, anxiety or low mood. This can also be impacted by things such as financial worries or debt. Some signs you may be struggling with your mental health in relation to these might include:
- Feeling anxious about checking your account balance or statements
- Feelings of fear surrounding opening bills or checking important letters
- Feelings of hopelessness and being unable to manage money
- Lack of confidence to contact a bank or financial service provider
- Overspending and feeling guilty after spending
- Struggling to fall or stay asleep due to money worries
Getting help
If you feel your financial worries are impacting your mental health, you can get help from various mental health charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice. Alternatively, you can visit our emergencies section for further information if you need immediate support.
Anxiety UK
Provides support, information, and resources for individuals with anxiety disorders, including a helpline and therapy services.
Contact details
- Text Service:
- 07537 416 905
- Email:
- support@anxietyuk.org.uk
No Panic
Provides support, information, and resources for individuals with anxiety disorders, including a helpline and therapy services.
Contact details
- 24h Crisis Line:
- 01952 680835
- Email:
- info@nopanic.org.uk
Mental Health UK
Provides support to people affected by mental health problems across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Contact details
- Email:
- info@mentalhealth-uk.org
Mind
Provides information, support, and campaigns for better mental health.
Contact details
- Email:
- info@mind.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness
Provides practical advice and information on various topics related to mental health, including the Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, carers' rights, medication, and more.
Contact details
- Webchat:
- 10am-1pm, Mon-Fri
- Email:
- advice@rethink.org
Fraud and scams
Fraudsters and scammers are becoming more clever in how they operate. As the world and technology evolve, the techniques criminals use do too. At Equals we do everything we can to try and help prevent this. For further information please visit our fraud and scams awareness information page.
Getting help
If you have been the victim of fraud or a scam, you can get help from various charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice.
Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK's national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime.
Contact details
- Textphone (speech or hearing difficulties):
- 0300 123 2050
Met Police
To help people avoid becoming a victim of online crime the Met Police have created the "little series of books and videos" to explain some of the most common scams and give advice on how to avoid falling victim to them.
Contact details
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice is a charity which provides free and impartial advice on various matters including benefits, work, family, disputes, fraud etc.
Contact details
- Tel:
- England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020
Victim Support
Provides help and support after a crime. It is independent, free and confidential.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 08 08 16 89 111
- Live Chat:
- Available on their website
Bereavement
Losing someone you care about is never easy, and taking care of practical and financial matters on top of that can be overwhelming. We're here to help make things a little easier for you during this tough time.
Getting help
If you need support following the loss of a loved one, you can get help from various charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice.
Bereavement Advice Centre
Offers information and support for people dealing with bereavement.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 0800 634 9494
Child Bereavement UK
Provides support for families and professionals dealing with child bereavement.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 0800 02 888 40
Cruse Bereavement Care
Offers bereavement support through helpline, local services, and online resources.
Contact details
- Email:
- helpline@cruse.org.uk
Abuse
Abuse can happen in many forms such as, (but not limited to), physical, verbal, sexual or emotional. Financial abuse is a form of abuse which involves controlling a person's ability to acquire and manage their own money and is also a way of having power over them. Its main goal is to reinforce or create financial instability in relationships by controlling spending or access to cash, assets and finances. It's a pattern of threatening and degrading behaviour that restricts a victim's financial freedom and can leave victims feeling isolated, trapped and lacking in confidence. Financial abuse can take various forms and can happen to anyone of any age. Examples of the types of financial abuse could be financial control, exploitation, or manipulation. It can also occur in various relationships, including partners/ex-partners, family members, friends, or carers.
Getting help
You can get help from various charities, organisations, and support groups who will provide support and advice. If you or those around you are in immediate danger, call the police on 999. If you are in a situation where you are unable to speak, dial 999 followed by '55' after the call is answered to indicate you need help and your call will be transferred to the police.
Refuge
Refuge supports women and children affected by domestic abuse, offering a range of services such as emergency accommodation, helpline, and advocacy.
Contact details
- Email:
- info@refuge.org.uk
Survivors UK
Survivors UK provides support to male survivors of sexual assault or abuse, offering therapy, counselling, and an online helpline.
Contact details
- Email:
- info@survivorsuk.org
Women's Aid
Women's Aid supports women and children experiencing domestic abuse, providing refuge, helpline, and other services to help them escape and recover.
Contact details
Men's Advice Line
Supports male victims of domestic abuse. Offering emotional support to men who experience abuse, and signpost to other vital services that help men keep themselves (and their children) safe.
Contact details
Galop
Support for LGBT+ victims and survivors of abuse and violence including domestic, emotional and financial abuse.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 0800 999 5428
- Email:
- help@galop.org.uk
Gambling
Gambling is an activity where an individual risks money or belongings and it comes in a variety of forms — whether it's playing in the lottery, roulette, a gaming machine, using an online casino, or betting on your favourite sports team. Whilst gambling itself doesn't have physical symptoms, its negative effects can impact many areas of life such as in terms of career, financial issues, reduced quality of life, relationship problems or conflict as well as other things. Gambling might become a problem when you lose the ability to stop.
Getting help
If you feel gambling is affecting your life you can get help from charities, organisations, and support groups.
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of individuals who share their experiences, strengths, and hopes to overcome gambling addiction.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 0330 094 0322
National Gambling Helpline
Operated by GamCare, the National Gambling Helpline provides free and confidential advice, support, and information on problem gambling.
Contact details
- WhatsApp:
- 020 3031 8881
- Email:
- info@gamcare.org.uk
Money/debt worries
Managing your finances can sometimes be difficult and when your circumstances change, this might lead to worries about your money. Acknowledging and admitting when there is a problem can feel difficult but we're here to support you.
Getting help
If you need support with debt or money worries you can get help from charities, organisations, and support groups.
Money Helper
MoneyHelper brings together the support and services of three government-backed financial guidance providers: the Money Advice Service, the Pensions Advisory Service and Pension Wise.
Contact details
- WhatsApp:
- +44 77 0134 2744
National Debtline
National Debtline advisers are experts in debt advice and their service is always free. They'll give you all the help and support needed to deal with your debts yourself.
Contact details
StepChange Debt Charity
Everyone should have access to free debt advice. StepChange can help you find a way to deal with your debt and will support you along the way. The debt advice is impartial and confidential.
Contact details
Citizens Advice Bureau
Citizens Advice is a charity which provides free and impartial advice on various matters including benefits, work, family, disputes, fraud etc.
Contact details
- Tel:
- England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020
Emergencies
Sometimes, situations need immediate support. In these circumstances, your well-being and safety are paramount and it's important that you seek assistance.
Getting help
If you are experiencing a crisis and need urgent help or support you can get help from charities, organisations, authorities and the support groups below.
Samaritans
For somebody to speak to and to support anyone having a difficult time. Confidential non-judgmental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicide.
Contact details
- Email:
- jo@samaritans.org
SHOUT
Free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone struggling to cope.
Contact details
- Text:
- 85258 (text 'SHOUT')
NHS 111
NHS 111 is a free helpline available 24/7 that provides medical advice and guidance for non-emergency health concerns. Alternatively in an emergency situation please call 999.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 111 (available 24/7, 365 days per year)
- Website:
- 111.nhs.uk (opens in a new tab)
SANEline
SANEline offers emotional support and information to individuals affected by mental health problems, including those in crisis.
Contact details
- Email:
- info@sane.org.uk
Other situations and available support
Travel
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
The FCDO provides travel advice and guidance to British nationals to assist them in making informed decisions when travelling abroad. Their primary aim is to assess and communicate the risks associated with travel to different destinations. This information helps British nationals understand the potential challenges and dangers they might encounter while abroad.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 020 7008 5000
Suicide
CALM
Offers support and a helpline for men in crisis and at risk of suicide.
Contact details
Self-harm
Harmless
Harmless is a user-led organisation that provides support to people who self-harm, as well as their friends and family.
Contact details
- Email:
- info@harmless.org.uk
NSHN (National Self-Harm Network)
NSHN is a survivor-led online support forum for individuals who self-harm, their friends, and families.
Contact details
Self Injury Support
Self Injury Support focuses on improving support and knowledge around self-injury. A UK-wide self-harm and self-injury charity offering direct support, reliable information, expert training and specialist consultancy. Their helpline is for women of any age or background affected by self-injury or self-harm, whether on their own or that of a friend or family member.
Contact details
Addiction
UK SMART Recovery
SMART Recovery programme can help if you are looking to change your harmful addictive behaviour and lead a balanced and fulfilling life. Their family and friends programme helps individuals who have a loved one struggling with addiction.
Contact details
With You
Get free, confidential help, advice and support with alcohol, drugs or mental health from one of With You's local services or online.
Contact details
Alcohol support
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
If you need help with a drinking problem, you can contact AA on their national freephone number or contact them by email.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 0800 9177 650
- Email:
- help@aamail.org
Alcohol Change UK
Explore their library of alcohol-related research, fact sheets and more.
Contact details
- Tel:
- 020 3907 8480
Al-Anon Family Groups UK
Al-Anon Family Groups UK is there for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else's drinking.
Contact details
Drinkaware
If you are concerned that you or someone you care about has a drinking problem there is help available. Find out the many ways that you can access support, advice or treatment.
Contact details
Disability and illness
Macmillan Cancer Support
Macmillan provides services for people living with cancer at every stage of their cancer journey. They are there to provide emotional, practical, physical, and financial support.
Contact details
Alzheimer's Society
Advice on various financial and legal issues that someone with dementia and their carer may want to consider, such as: benefits available and how to apply, care and support options and likely cost. The Alzheimer's Society can arrange a simultaneous language translation service — call their English-speaking support line, say the English word for the language you would like to use, end the call and wait; an interpreter will usually call you back within five minutes. If you have speech or hearing difficulties and have a textphone or an adapted computer, you can use Text Relay to call their English-speaking dementia support line.
Contact details
- Email:
- advice@carersuk.org
- Textphone:
- 18001 0333 150 3456
Utilities
Ofgem
Ofgem is the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. Their role is to protect consumers by working to deliver a greener, fairer energy system and is the regulator for the gas and electricity networks.
Contact details
Energy Suppliers
Contact details
Drug support
Adfam
Adfam is a charity working to support families affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use. Information, advice and local support services for families affected by alcohol and drugs. Please note Adfam does not operate a helpline but general queries can be made by phone.
Contact details
Carers
Carers UK
For people caring for a family member or someone else close to them — providing unpaid carers with expert information, advice and support by phone, website, or web form.
Contact details
- Email:
- advice@carersuk.org
Carers Trust
Carers Trust's vision is that unpaid carers are heard, valued and have access to the support, advice and resources they need to live a fulfilling life alongside caring.
Contact details
- Email:
- info@carers.org