One of the questions I’ve been asked while giving my mental health talk is “where can I get support?” So, we’ve compiled a list of options. Some of these resources are linked on our resources page, but I wanted to list some of them here and discuss my experiences with each of them.
As with a lot of things on this site, it should be noted that this based on is MY experience, yours may vary.
Where to get support
You may be able to access some forms of support through your employer, your doctor or other organisations. Some of the following focuses on academic institutions in the UK, which is where my experience lies. But many of these resources are available elsewhere, even though they may have different names and provide different services. Hopefully this will give you a few possible starting points.
1. Talk to your line manager
Your first port of call should be your line manager. They may be able to provide support or make accommodations if you are struggling. We do have to be realistic. It will not always be possible to push back deadlines or divert additional resources to support someone who is struggling. But a good leader will be sympathetic, supportive and do what they can, even if that is just signposting other resources.
Sadly, the question “where can I got to get support?” often seems to come from people asking where to get help if their line manager is unwilling or unable to provide the support they need. It can be frustrating, as I know all too well. It can also feel like they are not taking your concerns seriously, which only makes things worse. But don’t worry, there are other places you can go to get help.
2. Mental Health First Aiders
If there are Mental Health First Aiders in your team or institution, they can be a great first point of contact. You can talk to them anonymously, and they can signpost other resources and services.
I qualified as a Mental Health First Aider in 2025, as part of my preparation for the SSI fellowship. I found the training to be really useful, and I would definitely say that any organisation would benefit from having at least one MHFAider on their team. They are not free therapists, but they can provide assistance in an emergency, as well as signposting resources and advocating for better workplace culture. They are trained to be discreet and approachable, so you should be able to talk to them with confidence.
3. Employee Assistance Programme
Your institution may have an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or similar. This is usually a service provided by a third party, which you can self-refer yourself to. They can provide confidential advice and support, including free counselling or therapy sessions.
I have not used the EAP at my institution, but I have looked into it. They provide 24/7 support, including up to six free counselling/therapy sessions. It probably won’t “fix you”, but it might help you get a diagnosis and start on the road to recovery.
4. Occupational Health
Your institution’s Occupational Health service will need to get involved in order to arrange time off work or make accommodations for you if you are struggling. However, getting in touch with them may require a referral from your line manager or HR department.
Occupational Health were the ones who recommended I take time of work to recover after my anxiety attack. They were patient, sympathetic and supportive, and a lot less scary to talk to than I had imagined.
5. Your GP
Your GP can refer you to mental health services in your area and can prescribe medication if necessary.
I found my GP to be sympathetic, and the medication took the edge of my symptoms and allowed me to recover. However, it took several months of trial and error with a range of drugs and doses before it started to make a difference. I’d recommend contacting them as early as possible, and being patient and persistent while you find the right treatment for you.
6. Therapy
There are many different types of therapy available, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), counselling and psychotherapy. Some services are available through the NHS in the UK, but you might have to wait a while for an appointment. Alternatively, you can pay for private therapy, which can be expensive but may be available more quickly.
After being bounced around slow and ineffective NHS services, I asked my GP if they could refer me to a private therapist. This was one of the best decisions I ever made. After suffering for nearly a decade, I was able to finally get the help I needed to recover (though it took over a year to get there!). It’s hard work, and expensive at around £80-90 per session. And you might find that you feel worse before you start to feel better, but it was worth the cost and the hard work, as I was finally able to recover and get on with my life.
7. Other organisations and charities
There are several organisations and charities that provide support, including some that specialise in particular mental health issues or in supporting particular people, such as minority groups, disabled people and the LGBTQ+ community.
- A good starting point might be to check out the list on our Get Help page.
I can definitely recommend doing some research. I found the Mind website to be a great resource. It was on their website that I learned about CBT and decided that it sounded like something that would work for me.
Final Thoughts
Seeking help for mental health issues can be daunting, and will require perseverance and hard work, but there are many resources available to support you. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and remember that it might take time to find what works best for you. But, if you can find the right help, it can make a huge difference.
Thanks for reading.
Take care of yourselves.
