Mental Health Resources
NHS 24
NHS 24 mental health services are available to everyone in Scotland, of all ages. The services offered include listening, offering advice and guiding you to further help if required.
When you phone 111 and choose the mental health option, you’ll be connected to the Mental Health Hub to speak to a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP). These are specially trained advisers who work in mental health and are supported by Mental Health Nurses (MHNs). PWPs can offer advice on coping with mental health symptoms. They can also recommend and connect you with other services if needed. PWPs can access a range of both NHS and charity organisations to find the right support for you.
If an immediate response is needed, you might be referred to A&E or the emergency services.
If English is not your first or preferred language, tell the call handler you connect to that you need a translator and which language you prefer. If you use BSL, you can use the free BSL interpreting video relay service Contact Scotland BSL.
Glasgow Association for Mental Health (GAMH)
NHS Lothian Abortion Service
Also known as Choices, the NHS Lothian Abortion Service is based at the Chalmers Sexual Health Centre. Choices provides early medical abortion (up to 12th week of pregnancy), surgical abortion and midtrimester abortion services, as well as contraception, post-abortion counselling and resources to help you make an informed choice about your pregnancy.
You can access the service through self-referral by calling 0131 536 1070 between 9AM and 3PM, Mon–Fri (excluding public holidays). Please ensure you are able to speak privately when you call as you will be asked for some personal details relating to your appointment. If you wish to speak to your GP first, please book a consultation with one of our clinicians, who will be able to arrange a referral to the Chalmers Centre, or to St John’s Hospital if you live in West Lothian.
In accordance with the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Act 2024, the Chalmers Centre is covered by a Safe Access Zone. This protects you from unlawful obstruction and harassment while trying to access the clinic and its services.
Find out more information about the NHS Lothian Abortion Service.
Breathing Space
The Glasgow Association for Mental Health (GAMH) is an independent charity registered in Scotland offering individualised preventative services and opportunities that can help you identify and describe your support needs based on your situation. Their staff will work with you to develop a plan of support intended to build your confidence and social networks, help you learn new skills and work toward living your life without planned formal support.
GAMH also offers a compassionate distress response service – a listening service for people experiencing acute emotional distress – as well as targeted support for young people, older people and carers.
GAMH is a referral-based service. To be signposted to GAMH, please contact the practice to arrange a routine appointment. If you feel that you cannot wait for a routine appointment, please contact NHS 24 on 111.
Health in Mind
Breathing Space is a national phone line providing free confidential support services for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Breathing Space’s call advisors come from a range of mental health, counselling and social work backgrounds. Their services are funded by the Scottish Government’s Mental Health Unit, and they are operationally managed by NHS 24 and delivered from NHS 24 contact centres in Hillington and South Queensferry.
Breathing Space’s phone line is open from Monday to Thursday, 6:00PM – 2:00AM, and on weekends from Friday 6:00PM to Monday 6:00AM. Their online chat service is available Monday to Friday, 6:00PM – 2:00AM, and on Saturday and Sunday, 4.00PM – 12:00AM.
Call them at 0800 83 85 87. Alternatively, visit their website for more information.
Lifelink
Health in Mind is a Scottish charity that provides support for a range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression and trauma. Their services range from early intervention and prevention through to more intensive support. Additionally, their website contains online self-help resources and campaigns that extend across Scotland.
Health in Mind is a key part of the In Care Survivors Alliance, Scotland’s first alliancing partnership, which provides support for survivors of in-care abuse and/or neglect in Scotland.
Samaritans
Lifelink is a charity registered in Scotland. They are an early intervention service offering support for adults and young people experiencing emotional difficulties to prevent escalation, focusing on mild to moderate mental health issues like anxiety, depression and low mood.
Lifelink provides one-to-one mental health and wellbeing counselling services following a clinical assessment. Counselling can be face-to-face or remote, depending on your personal preferences.
In addition to counselling, Lifelink is the service provider for the Scottish Government Distress Brief Intervention (DBI) scheme in Lanarkshire. They also offer a range of wellbeing classes and workplace wellbeing support. To self-refer to Lifelink’s services, call them or select “Make a Referral” on their website. Once you send your self-referral through, one of their team members will aim to get back to you within 3 business days.
Visit their website for more information. Alternatively, call them at 0141 552 4434 or email them at info@lifelink.org.uk.
