Mental Health & Bereavement Support Directory
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You don't have to know exactly what you need before asking for help.
Sometimes the hardest part is knowing where to start.
The Funeral Companion has brought together some trusted organisations and public services that can offer information, emotional support or specialist help.
Please remember that The Funeral Companion is an information and signposting service. We are not a crisis service or replacement for professional care.
Choose the organisation that feels right for you.
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I JUST NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO
SAMARITANS
Sometimes you simply need somebody who will listen.
Samaritans provides a safe place to talk about whatever is getting to you. You don't have to have the right words, and you don't have to be suicidal to contact them.
CALL: 116 123
Free to call, day or night.
You can talk about whatever you're facing, without being judged or told what to do.
VISIT:
https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
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I'D RATHER TEXT THAN TALK
SHOUT
If talking on the phone feels difficult, Shout provides mental health support by text.
It can be an option for someone who finds it easier to put their feelings into words rather than speak about them.
VISIT:
https://giveusashout.org/
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I'M GRIEVING AND NEED BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT
Cruse specialises in bereavement support and provides information and support for people affected by the death of someone they care about.
They can help you understand grief and find support when you're struggling after a death.
VISIT:
https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-support/
CRUSE HELPLINE:
0808 808 1677
Check the Cruse website for current opening hours and available services.
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I NEED INFORMATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH
MIND
Mind provides information about mental health, difficult feelings, finding support and looking after your wellbeing.
Their website includes information about:
• Mental health problems
• Finding support
• Talking to your GP
• Therapy and counselling
• Supporting someone else
• Crisis support
• Bereavement and grief
VISIT:
https://www.mind.org.uk/
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I NEED NHS HELP
NHS
The NHS provides information about grief, bereavement, mental health and getting further help.
If you're struggling with grief, anxiety or low mood, your GP can be an important place to start.
You can also find information about NHS talking therapies and urgent mental health support.
VISIT:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
GRIEF AND BEREAVEMENT:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/grief-bereavement-loss/
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I'M WORRIED ABOUT A CHILD OR YOUNG PERSON
CHILD BEREAVEMENT UK
Child Bereavement UK supports children and young people up to the age of 25 when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live.
They also support parents and families when a baby or child has died or is dying.
Support includes information, guidance and access to bereavement specialists.
VISIT:
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
HELPLINE:
0800 02 888 40
Child Bereavement UK currently offers bereavement support by phone, live chat, email and text/WhatsApp. Check their website for current service times and details.
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I'M WORRIED ABOUT A YOUNG PERSON WHO MAY BE SUICIDAL
PAPYRUS
PAPYRUS provides specialist support for young people experiencing thoughts of suicide and for people worried about a young person.
Their HOPELINE247 service is available for young people and those concerned about them.
VISIT:
https://www.papyrus-uk.org/
HOPELINE247:
0300 102 2470
TEXT:
HOPE to 88247
Please check the PAPYRUS website for current service information.
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I'M WORRIED ABOUT SOMEONE WHO HAS LOST SOMEONE
YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE THE PERSON WHO IS GRIEVING TO ASK FOR HELP.
If you're supporting a partner, child, parent, friend or another family member, you may need support too.
You can contact:
• Cruse — for bereavement support
• Samaritans — if you need someone to talk to
• Mind — for mental health information
• NHS — for healthcare and mental health support
• Child Bereavement UK — if a child or young person is affected
• PAPYRUS — if you're worried about a young person's suicidal thoughts
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I'M WORRIED ABOUT MONEY AS WELL AS MY MENTAL HEALTH
Money worries can make grief and stress even harder to manage.
For help with financial problems, benefits, debt and funeral costs, see our:
FINANCIAL WORRIES & YOUR MENTAL HEALTH
page.
You can also find information from:
GOV.UK
https://www.gov.uk/
CITIZENS ADVICE
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
TURN2US
https://www.turn2us.org.uk/
MONEYHELPER
https://www.moneyhelper.org.uk/
STEPCHANGE
https://www.stepchange.org/
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IF YOU NEED URGENT HELP
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, has seriously harmed themselves or needs urgent medical attention:
CALL 999
OR
GO TO YOUR NEAREST A&E.
For urgent mental health support in England, NHS 111 can also provide help.
If you don't need emergency help but simply need somebody to talk to, you can call Samaritans free on:
116 123
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YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THINGS ARE TERRIBLE
You can ask for help because:
“I'm struggling.”
“I don't feel like myself.”
“I can't cope with my grief.”
“I'm worried about someone.”
“I don't know what I need.”
“I just need someone to listen.”
You don't have to have the perfect explanation.
You don't have to prove that you're struggling enough.
You can simply reach out.
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A NOTE FROM THE FUNERAL COMPANION
Finding the right support can sometimes feel like another thing you have to work out when you're already exhausted.
That's why we've brought these organisations together in one place.
We don't provide counselling or crisis support ourselves.
We're here to help you find the information you need and point you towards organisations that can provide specialist support.
If one organisation doesn't feel right, try another.
The important thing is:
DON'T BE AFRAID TO REACH OUT.