Best Websites

When I set up this website I had one aim in mind – to create the life I longed for by using the transformative power of psychology. This journey began following my breakdown, so I started building my life from the ground up and step-by-step.

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I have listed the websites below to help those of you who need to do the same, these are some of the Internets most exceptional sites which offer support and help for those who are searching and in need.

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Dr Tim Cantopher, author of ‘Depressive Illness: The Curse Of The Strong’ asserts that – in spite of popular opinion – those suffering from depression (and I would add any struggles) are genuinely some of the strongest in society.

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Indeed, I think that seeking support when tough times hit is both strong and courageous.

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Mind

A comprehensive website offering information and support for anyone with mental health problems and their friends and family.

The site is a member of ‘The Information Standard’ and provides trustworthy, high quality information.

Categories include:

• An A – Z Directory of Mental Health
• A ‘Helping Someone Else’ Section
• A Guide to Mental Health Support and Services (UK)
• A ‘Find Your Local Mind’ Service (UK)
• A List of Types of Mental Health Problems
• Legal Rights (UK)
• Helplines
• Real Life Stories of those with Mental Illness
• Drugs and Treatments Directory
• Tips for Everyday Living with Mental Illness

Rethink

A large website featuring five key areas of mental health.

The five key areas of mental health which are featured on Rethink include:

• Services and Groups
• Diagnosis and Treatment
• Living with Mental Illness
• Carers, Family and Friends
• Get Involved

The ‘Living with Mental Illness’ section particularly stands out – with practical advice and information in the following areas:

• Money Issues, Benefits and Employment (UK)
• Well being and Physical Health
• Mental Health Laws (UK)
• Police, Courts and Prison (UK)
• Education
• Rights and Restrictions (UK)
• Housing (UK)
• Recovery
• Young People
• Personal Budgets
• Early Intervention
• And more!

Depression Alliance

Depression Alliance brings people together to end the loneliness and isolation of depression.

They also campaign to end the stigma of depression and to raise awareness of what it means to live with it. The website offers two sections of particular interest, the ‘Information’ and ‘How We Can Help’ sections.

Information Section:

• What is Depression
• Living with Depression
• Recovery and Wellbeing
• Treatment
• Useful Contacts (UK)
• Family and Friends

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How We Can Help Section:

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• Friends In Need (join on and offline community)
• Self-Help Groups Directory and Finder Service (UK)
• Resources (videos and magazines)
• Wellbeing Networks Directory (UK activity based groups to lift your spirits)

Cruse Bereavement Care

If you are suffering from bereavement then this site is a fantastic resource crammed full of information and support services.

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There are two sections of the site which are of particular interest, these being:

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• About Grief (features advice for working through bereavement)
• Bereavement Services (features telephone, email and UK based face-to-face support)

Relate

Relate is the UK’s largest provider of relationship support, and every year they help over a million people of all ages, backgrounds and sexual orientations to strengthen their relationships.

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The website offers a superb overview of the services Relate provides, including counselling covering most areas throughout the UK.

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National Sleep Foundation

The National Sleep Foundation is dedicated to improving health and well-being through sleep education and advocacy.

It is well-known for its annual Sleep in America® poll. The Foundation is a charitable, educational and scientific not-for-profit organization located in Washington, DC. Its membership includes researchers and clinicians focused on sleep medicine, health professionals, patients, families affected by drowsy driving and more than 900 healthcare facilities.

There are five key areas to the website, all of which are extremely helpful, these being:

• Sleep Health
• Sleep Problems and Disorders
• Sleep Tools and Tips
• Find a Sleep Professional (USA)
• Shop

The Happiness Project

The Happiness Project – an entire site dedicated to making your life the happiest it can possibly be!

I really cannot recommend this website highly enough.

The blog on the homepage is well researched, humorous and insightful. The section dedicated to breaking bad habits and forming new positive ones is educational and inspired. The tips and quizzes section is fun and the quotes featured in this section are fantastic.

Finally, if you are as inspired as I was to begin a happiness project of your very own, the downloads section is an absolute must with exactly the same tools Gretchen used, now available for anyone to print up and fill out.

Samaritans

The Samaritans is a telephone counselling service that are there for people of any age when they need them, which could be any time of day or night.

People talk to the Samaritans for as long as they like, as many times as they like. They don’t rush, interrupt or push anyone out of the door, they simply let people lead the conversation at their own pace. The even better news: there are no waiting lists and no assessments. There is also strict confidentiality in place – they don’t pass on what people tell them, not even the name of someone who called them.

No issue is off bounds, they don’t skirt around issues, and they’re not afraid to go into deep and difficult areas.

Sometimes just having the acceptance from someone that what they say won’t be judged is enough to help people open up, and provides such relief for them.

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Samaritans Hotline (USA: 1 800 273 – TALK / UK & ROI:  116 123)

For Young People…

Please also see Samaritans and The Happiness Project, listed above.

Students Against Depression

Students Against Depression offers comprehensive, award-winning information and resources validated by health professionals to help you identify low mood or depression and then find a way forward, as well as tips and advice from students who have experienced it all themselves. Download their resources, customize their self help plans, chose to share your own story and join them in fighting student depression.

The four main areas of the site are:

• Understand Depression
• Get support
• Tackle Depression
• Student Stories

Papyrus

Every year many hundreds of young people take their own lives in the UK. Many thousands more contemplate suicide; many harm themselves or suffer alone, afraid to speak openly about how they are feeling. Papyrus exists to give young people hope and to prevent young suicide. Papyrus draws from the experience of many who have been touched personally by young suicide across the UK and speak on their behalf in our campaigns and in our endeavors to save young lives. They provide confidential support and advice to young people and anyone worried about a young person.

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They run a national helpline, HOPELineUK (**Overseas Tel: +44 800 068 4141 / UK Tel: 0800 068 4141), including text and email services, staffed by a team of mental health professionals who provide practical help and advice to vulnerable young people and to those concerned about any young person who may be at risk of suicide.

**Please note anyone can call from all over the world but the number is based in the UK and will be subject to international charges should you choose to call from overseas.

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