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• We set standards and promote excellence in psychiatry and mental healthcare.

• We lead, represent and support psychiatrists.

• We work with patients, carers and their psychiatrists. We provide online and printed information on mental health issues and signpost patients to further help.

• We don't take complaints against or discipline psychiatrists. Please visit the General Medical Council (GMC) website to make a complaint.

• We aren't able to provide a list of, or recommend psychiatrists. We do have a list of current members.

• We can't offer consultations or personal advice – we do not have psychiatrists based in the College. Please see your GP in the first instance, who will be able to discuss this more with you.

It’s really important that you let family or friends know how you feel. They can support you and keep you safe. 

These free helplines can also help when you're feeling down or desperate:

• Samaritans:
  • call 116 123 (24 hours a day)
  • email jo@samaritans.org.uk
• Saneline:
  • leave a message at 07984 967 708
  • call 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm to 10.30pm) - temporarily unavailable
  • email support@sane.org.uk
• Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline (England only) 

Further information 

Most private psychiatrists would still prefer a referral from your GP. 

Your GP may be able to recommend psychiatrists who practise privately. Local private hospitals may also be able to advise you about this. 

Some psychiatrists may advertise online. If they have the title 'MRCPsych' (Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists) or ‘FRCPsych’ (Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists), this means they’re current members of the College.

The College is unable to recommend or supply names of psychiatrists. In order to find a psychiatrist, you should ask your GP.

Sorry, but we can’t recommend or supply names of psychiatrists.

Solicitors can search through the lists of psychiatrists that are registered with any of the following websites:

• UK Register of Expert Witnesses 
• Expert Witness 
• The Society of Expert Witnesses 

We’re not the disciplinary body for our members and can’t deal with complaints about psychiatrists. 

You or someone you trust can write to, or speak with your psychiatrist to tell them how you feel.

If you’re unhappy with their response, you can complain to their employer, clinic or hospital using their complaints procedure.

If the complaint is to report serious misconduct, you can complain to the General Medical Council (Tel: 0161 923 6602).  

If you have concerns about a hospital, care home or health service, you should contact them first and follow their complaints procedure.

If you’re still unhappy, share your experience with the body which is responsible for the inspection of health and social care in your area:

• England - Care Quality Commission (Tel: 03000 616161) 
• Scotland - Care Inspectorate (Tel: 0345 600 9527) 
• Wales - Care Inspectorate Wales (Tel: 0300 7900 126) 
• Northern Ireland - Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (Tel: 028 9051 7500)