Mental health

If you are in crisis and have hurt yourself or are thinking about hurting yourself:

• call 999
• go to A&E if you are able to
• call your mental health crisis team

Find out more about where to get urgent help for mental health on the NHS website.

If you aren’t sure what kind of help you need, you can call 111 or use NHS 111 online.

If the support you need is less urgent, you can also speak to your GP or mental health team.

You can also contact the following organisations if you need to speak to someone:

• Samaritans – Samaritans offers listening and support to people in times of need. They are open 24/7.
  • call 116 123
  • email jo@samaritans.org.uk
• Childline – Childline is a free, confidential support service for people under the age of 19. Support is available 24/7.
  • Call 0800 1111
  • 1-2-1 counsellor chat
• SANEline - SANEline is a national mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness.
  • call 0300 304 7000 (this phoneline is open from 4pm-10pm every day of the year)
  • Outside of these hours you can leave a voice message on 0300 124 7900 to get a call-back.

To see a psychiatrist, you will usually need a referral from your general practitioner (GP), in the same way you would with any other specialist.

Within the NHS, most referrals will go to the mental health team. Initially, you may be seen by a team member who is not a psychiatrist. If the team member feels that you ought to see a psychiatrist, they'll arrange an appointment for you.

Most private psychiatrists prefer a referral from your GP. Your GP may be able to recommend psychiatrists who practise privately.

Local private hospitals will sometimes advise you about this. Some psychiatrists may advertise in your local business directory.

If they have the title 'MRCPsych' (Member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists) or ‘FRCPsych’ (Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists), this means that they are current members of the College.

The College cannot recommend or supply names of psychiatrists to act as expert witnesses.

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

• UK Register of Expert Witnesses
• Expert Witness
• Expert Witness Institute

You can complain directly to your psychiatrist.

If you are unhappy with their response, you can complain to their employer, clinic or hospital. 

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

The last step for dealing with unresolved complaints is to contact the Health Service Ombudsman (Tel: 0345 015 4033) who acts as a final arbitrator.

If your psychiatrist works in the private sector

You can complain to the clinic where the psychiatrist works. Again, in cases of professional misconduct, you can also contact the General Medical Council (Tel: 0161 923 6602).