UK Services & Resources

What is the NHS?

• AA private healthcare company
• BA mental health charity
• CA private insurance company
• DNational Health Service - UK's publicly funded healthcare system✓

Answer: The NHS (National Health Service) provides free healthcare to all UK residents, including mental health services.

What is IAPT?

• AA crisis service
• BA private therapy company that provides counselling services to employers, schools and universities
• CImproving Access to Psychological Therapies - the former name for NHS Talking Therapies✓
• DA hospital service only

Answer: IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) was the original name for what is now called NHS Talking Therapies (renamed in 2023), which provides therapies like CBT, typically free at point of use.

How do you access NHS mental health services?

• AThrough your GP (General Practitioner)✓
• BOnly through private providers, since NHS services do not take new patients
• CGo directly to a hospital and ask to be seen at the accident and emergency department
• DOnly through a hospital consultant, following a written referral from an employer

Answer: A GP is the usual first route: they can assess and refer on. Some services, such as NHS Talking Therapies, also accept self-referral directly.

What are Crisis Resolution Teams (CRTs)?

• ATeams that provide support only after a person has already been discharged from a hospital ward
• BEmergency response only
• COnly for police
• DTeams providing intensive support during mental health crisis to prevent hospital admission✓

Answer: CRTs (or Home Treatment Teams) provide intensive support during crises, typically visiting daily, aiming to prevent or reduce hospitalisation.

What is the Samaritans?

• AA mental health diagnosis service
• BA hospital
• CA government agency
• DA 24/7 confidential emotional support helpline (116 123)✓

Answer: Samaritans (116 123) provide 24/7 confidential emotional support and crisis helpline available to anyone in distress.

What is the Crisis Text Line in the UK?

• AA hospital service
• BText SHOUT to 85258 for free crisis support✓
• COnly for teenagers
• DAvailable on weekdays only, between nine in the morning and five in the afternoon

Answer: Text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 free crisis support from trained volunteers.

What is Mind?

• AA government agency that is responsible for inspecting mental health hospitals
• BA UK mental health charity providing support, information, and advocacy✓
• CA medication
• DA hospital in London that only treats people detained under the Mental Health Act

Answer: Mind is a major UK mental health charity providing information, support groups, campaigns, and advocacy.

What is Rethink?

• AA government programme that funds research into serious mental illness across the whole of the United Kingdom
• BA therapy technique in which unhelpful thoughts are deliberately questioned and then replaced with others
• CA new thinking method
• DUK charity supporting people with serious mental illness like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder✓

Answer: Rethink is a UK charity providing support, information, and services for people with serious mental health conditions.

What is CALM, and who can use its helpline?

• ACampaign Against Living Miserably — a suicide prevention charity whose helpline is open to anyone✓
• BCampaign Against Living Miserably — a helpline that only takes calls from men aged under 45
• CCrisis Advice for Long-term Mental illness — an NHS service for diagnosed conditions only
• DCounselling And Learning for Mental health — a paid therapy service with a waiting list

Answer: CALM is a suicide prevention charity. Its helpline is 0800 58 58 58, open 5pm to midnight every day, free and anonymous, with a webchat alongside it. CALM began as a campaign aimed at men and is still often described that way, but the helpline is explicitly open to anyone regardless of gender — for people struggling, people bereaved by suicide, and people worried about someone else. Do not signpost it as men-only, and remember it is not a 24-hour line: outside those hours use Samaritans on 116 123 or text SHOUT to 85258.

What is Relate?

• AUK relationship counseling service helping couples and individuals✓
• BA hospital
• CA government agency that arranges mediation for couples who are separating
• DA medical service

Answer: Relate provides relationship counseling and couple support across the UK.

What is childline?

• AA programme delivered in schools by visiting nurses to pupils in Year 6 and above
• BFree confidential phone/chat service for children and young people up to 19✓
• CA telephone helpline for parents who need advice on managing their children's behaviour
• DA hospital ward in London for children and young people who need inpatient mental health care

Answer: Childline (0800 1111) provides free confidential support to young people under 19.

What is Time to Talk Day?

• AA government requirement that every employer must hold a mental health event once a year
• BA work event only
• CUK mental health awareness campaign encouraging conversation about mental health✓
• DA hospital event

Answer: Time to Talk Day is a UK mental health campaign (usually February) promoting conversations about mental health and reducing stigma.

What services are available through NHS Talking Therapies?

• AHospital admission only
• BCBT, counseling, and other psychological therapies✓
• CTalking therapies are unavailable
• DOnly medication

Answer: NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT) provide evidence-based therapies like CBT, counseling, and behavioural activation.

What is 999?

• AA dedicated mental health helpline staffed by NHS crisis workers
• BA local mental health crisis team that can be reached at any time of day
• CA suicide prevention service
• DUK emergency services number for serious/immediate danger✓

Answer: 999 is the UK emergency number for immediate life-threatening situations or serious danger.

What is the SOBS helpline?

• APeer support for people bereaved by suicide (helpline 0300 111 5065)✓
• BA relationship counselling service for couples going through a separation
• CA hospital
• DA government agency that records and reports deaths by suicide across the UK

Answer: SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) provides peer-to-peer support, a national helpline (0300 111 5065), and support groups for adults bereaved by suicide.

What is Shout Crisis Text Line's focus?

• ASupport for government departments that deal with mental health policy and funding decisions
• BSupport for people with depression only, and not for any other kind of emotional distress
• C24/7 crisis text support for anyone in emotional distress (text SHOUT to 85258)✓
• DA prescription service that arranges repeat medication for people with mental health conditions

Answer: Shout (text 85258) provides 24/7 crisis text support for anyone experiencing emotional distress or suicidal thoughts.

What is Beat?

• AAn exercise program
• BA hospital
• CA medication
• DUK charity supporting people with eating disorders✓

Answer: Beat is a UK eating disorders charity providing support, resources, and helplines.

What is Young Minds?

• AA school programme only, delivered to pupils during personal development lessons
• BA medication
• CA hospital
• DUK charity focusing on young people's mental health advocacy and support✓

Answer: Young Minds advocates for and supports young people's mental health, offering resources and campaigns.

How can you find local mental health services in your area?

• AOnly available in cities and larger towns, and not in rural parts of the country
• BImpossible to find them
• CAsk your GP, search NHS website, contact local CCG or Integrated Care Board✓
• DPrivate services only, since the NHS does not run any local mental health teams

Answer: Your GP can direct you to services, or search the NHS website for local mental health services and Integrated Care Boards.

What is Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)?

• AA government agency
• BSelf-help support group for people with alcohol dependence✓
• CA service that is only for people with the most severe alcohol dependence
• DA hospital

Answer: AA is a free peer-support group using a 12-step approach for people struggling with alcohol dependence.