Get help today
Don't face your problems alone. There are lots of services with emotional and practical advice that can guide you through more difficult times. Most of the below specialise in supporting doctors and all offer free, non-biased and confidential help.
Help with mental health and counselling
BMA Wellbeing Support Services
BMA Wellbeing Support Services is staffed by professional telephone counsellors 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They are all members of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and are bound by strict codes of confidentiality and ethical practice.
Phone: 0330 123 1245 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Email: [email protected]
BMA website
Doctors’ Support Network
Since 1996, the Doctors’ Support Network has independently championed positive mental health within the profession.
DSN website
NHS Practitioner Health Programme
Supporting the health of health professionals. This service helps GP or GP trainees with any mental health issues, including stress, depression or addiction.
Phone: 0203 049 4505
Email: [email protected]
NHS Practitioner Health Programme website
For anaesthetists working in Scotland, please visit the Practitioner Health Programme website for a full list of resources and support.
For professionals working in Wales, please visit the Canopi website for a full list of resources and support.
Anaesthetists working in Ireland can access our associated programme in Dublin.
Unfortunately, there is currently no service available for anaesthetists working in Northern Ireland.
You Okay Doc?
Founded by Doctors, for Doctors. Supported by Psychotherapists and Business Professionals.
You Okay Doc? website
Our NHS people
For confidential support by phone:
General: 0300 131 7000
(7:00-23:00)
Bereavement: 0300 303 4434
(8:00-20:00)
For support by text message:
Text ‘FRONTLINE’ to 85258
24 hours a day, seven days a week
Samaritans
Samaritans is a unique charity dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide.
Phone: 116 123 - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Samaritans Website
Are you being bullied?
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh has resources available to help those how are being bullied in the workplace.
Whistleblowing hotline for NHS staff - 08000 724 725
Intensive Care Society - TIM Tool
The Intensive Care Society have worked with the intensive care units at Royal United Hospitals Bath and Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to produce the TIM: Team Immediate Meet.
The TIM is a communication tool and psychological first aid to be used after any clinical event that may cause distress. The intention of the tool is to enable staff to briefly check in with each other, have some useful short term self-care advice (Psychological First Aid - an approach advocated by the World Health Organisation), and have the option for supportive follow up following the acute stress response period.
Intensive Care Society - unexpected Death of a Colleague First Aid Kit
The First Aid Kit is available online.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health
The RCPCH website hosts links to health, wellbeing and other referral sites for doctors in need.
Help with finances
Royal Medical Benevolent Fund (RMBF)
The RMBF provides support for doctors and their families through all stages of their career and beyond. Help ranges from financial assistance in the form of grants and loans to a telephone befriending scheme for those who may be isolated and in need of support.
Phone number: 0208 540 9194
Email: [email protected]
The RMBF website
Royal Medical Foundation
The Royal Medical Foundation's aims are to assist registered doctors and their families who are in financial hardship.
The RMF website
Help Me, I'm a Doctor
Help Me, I'm a Doctor brings together five independent charities that support doctors when they need confidential financial assistance. These benevolent funds provide vital support to help doctors in genuine financial need get their lives and careers back on track
Help Me, I'm a Doctor website
Help with addiction
Sick Doctors Trust
Support and help for doctors, dentists and medical students who are concerned about their use of drugs or alcohol.
Phone: 0370 444 5163 (24 hour service)
Email: [email protected]
Sick Doctors Trust website
British Doctors and Dentist Group
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Help group for people to share their experiences and help each other recover from alcoholism and stay sober. The only requirement to join is a desire to stop using alcohol.
Phone: 0800 9177 650
Email: [email protected]
AA website
Cocaine Anonymous
A group for people to share their experiences together to help each other stay sober and recover from their addiction. The only requirement to join is a desire to stop using cocaine and other drugs.
Phone: 0800 612 0225, 10:00 until 22:00, 7 days a week
Email: [email protected]
Cocaine Anonymous website
Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
A help group run by recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.
Phone: 0300 999 1212, 10:00 - midnight
Email: [email protected]
NA website
Gamblers Anonymous
Gamblers Anonymous is a fellowship of men & women who share their experiences, strengths & hopes with each other to help solve their common problems.
Email: [email protected]
Gamblers Anonymous website
Rehab 4 Addiction
As well as providing a wealth of resources and information about addiction and mental health, Rehab 4 addiction have a helpline offering immediate assistance to those struggling with addiction.
Website
Help with disabilities
HOPE for disabled doctors
Support and resources for doctors with disabilities and chronic illnesses.
Email: [email protected]
HOPE website
Help with HIV
Positively UK
Positively UK provides peer-led support, advocacy and information to women, men and young people living with HIV to manage any aspect of their diagnosis, care and managing life with HIV.
Phone: 020 7713 0444
Email: [email protected]
Positively UK website