A list of helpful resources and supports which can be used while you wait for counselling, instead of counselling, or alongside counselling, including support options for specific issues and resources to help yourself manage how you are feeling. Local Directories NHS Lothian have a self-help online hub which provides self help courses and comprehensive information and tools for your mental health and wellbeing: Wellbeing Lothian Additionally, there are several location-based online hubs available which direct you towards mental health and wellbeing resources and key supports in your area: Edinburgh - iThrive East Lothian - Eastspace Midlothian - Midspace West Lothian - West Space Support for specific issues ADHD / Autism Scottish ADHD CoalitionScottish organisation supporting those with ADHD, their Carers and / or families. Scottish Women’s Autism Network (SWAN)SWAN offers online information/groups for women, girls and non-binary individuals before or after diagnosis. Life on the SpectrumOffers information and support for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder, particularly those who get their diagnosis later into adulthood. ADHD and SleepA project of The Sleep Charity UK which provides information, resources, strategies and a podcast, delving into the connection between ADHD and sleep disturbances. Advocacy Advocard Advocacy service offering support and information to those making decisions regarding their mental health and wellbeing. CAPS Independent Advocacy Independant advocacy organisation offering collective advocacy in Edinburgh and Lothian and individual advocacy in East and Midlothian.Mental Health Advocacy Project Independent advocacy in West Lothian.EARS Individual and collective advocacy in Edinburgh and Lothians around physical and learning disabilities, but including mental health and autism. Anger AngerMind.org offers information and supportive resources to better understand anger, where it comes from and managing.Understanding Anger Scottish Action on Mental Health (SAMH) has pulled together a helpful handbook to help identify, better understand, and provide strategies on how to manage and cope. Anxiety and Panic Anxiety UK Information (including highlighting various types of anxiety), resources, support and coping strategies. Social Anxiety UKFeatures a hub of information, self-help resources and strategies to help understand and manage social anxiety.DaylightFree, NHS recommended app to help manage anxiety.What is a Panic AttackMind.org offers information, support and coping strategies for those who have or are fearful of experiencing a panic attack.Reframing Anxiety This video produced by the BBC focuses on helping individuals to understand anxiety and using ‘re-framing’ strategy to help manage it. Depression Understanding Depression Mind.org offers information, support and coping strategies for those who may be experiencing depression.Coping with Depression Depression self-help resources, information sheets & workbooks (Centre for Clinical Intervention). Debt Support Debt Advice Service Salvation Army offers free, confidential debt advice to those struggling with their finances. Step Change Debt CharityNational Charity offering free, confidential debt advice available to all. Disordered Eating BEAT Provides support to help adults and young people who are struggling with disordered eating.Disordered EatingSelf-help information, resources and workbook (Centre for Clinical Intervention).Support ED Supporting those affected by eating disorders (including caretakers and/or family members). Drugs and Alcohol ELCA (Edinburgh Lothian Council on Alcohol Abuse)Support for those who are concerned about their own drinking.Scottish Families Affected by Drugs and AlcoholFor those affected by another’s drug or alcohol struggle.CrewDrop-in support, harm reduction, and psychoeducation in Edinburgh for those struggling or concerned with their use of drugs or alcohol. Emotional Regulation and Tolerating Distress (Overwhelm / Worry & Ruminations) Coping with Worry and Ruminations Workbook and information sheets aimed at helping one to better understand and cope with worry, ruminations and generalised anxiety.Coping with Overwhelm Mind.Org offers coping strategies for here-and-now when feeling overwhelmed.Tolerating DistressWorkbook and information sheets, helping one to better understand and cope with uncomfortable feelings (Centre for Clinical Intervention) Regulating Your EmotionsLothian Psychological Intervention Network has pulled together information, worksheets and self-help guides supporting individuals to manage their emotions. Families, Parents, Carer and Young Carer Support MindEd for FamiliesResources and support for those concerned about their child or teenagers’ mental health.Vocal – Voice of Carers across EdinburghAdvice, information and resources (both practical and supporting mental health and wellbeing) for carers.Young Carers in ScotlandSupport and resources for young carers across Scotland. One Parent Family Scotland / Lone Parent HotlineSupport, information and advice for lone parents.Scottish Centre for Conflict Resolution - SCCRSupport, resources and information for young people and parents around conflict at home and coping with family conflict, including a mediation service. Grief, Bereavement and Loss What’s Your GriefInformation and resources for those affected by loss and grief (the grieving, supporting one who is grieving).Ambiguous LossInformation and resources to support various types of grief and loss, particularly ambiguous loss and anticipatory grief and their limbo in between.Cruse BereavementLeading bereavement charity offering support, resources and a designated helpline to support those who are bereaved or supporting someone who is.Survivors of Bereavement by SuicidePeer-led support for adults impacted by suicide loss. LGBTQ+ LGBT Health and WellbeingScotland’s National Charity promoting LGBTQ+ health, wellbeing and equality, offering a number of different supports and services. Loneliness Loneliness | Mental Health FoundationInformation and resources for those experiencing loneliness. Men’s Mental Health Andy’s Man ClubPeer-led, men’s support groups in Edinburgh for men struggling with their mental health. ManUp?National charity dedicated to challenging the stigma surrounding men’s mental health, offers free online group sessions tackling different topics (such as men and relationships, men and bereavement, men and midlife). RESPECT Men’s Advice LineResources and helpline for men (and anyone who identifies as trans) who are a victim of domestic abuse. Older Age Age UKNational charity supporting older adults across a variety of issues, such as health and wellbeing, care, learning and work, and more.The HourGlassProject dedicated to protecting older adults from abuse, exploitation or harm, providing support for those, or those concerned about an older person, who may be experiencing physical, psychological, sexual, emotional or financial harm.The SilverlineThe Silverline Helpline is run by Age UK and is a free confidential telephone service for older adults providing conversation, support and friendship 24/7. Feeling Lonely Guide for Older AdultsAge UK has produced an self-help guide offering information what loneliness is and what has helped others.Vintage VibesVibes is an Edinburgh-based project tackling loneliness and isolation in those over 60, providing support, companionship and the opportunity for those over 60 to become more socially integrated and connected. Pornography and Sexual Compulsivity Chalmers Sexual Health CentreProvides a psychosexual therapist for general sexual problems.Scottish Sex Addicts Anonymous (SAA)Offers group sessions and sponsorship through the 12-step model.NOFAPRecovery platform that helps individuals "reboot" (the terminology for reducing porn addiction). Your Brain on PornComprehensive website providing psycho-education, latest research, coping strategies and recovery/rebooting support. Procrastination Wait But Why?Understanding procrastination, support in creating opportunity for motivation and getting even the “littlest things” (that can feel like big things) done. Put off ProcrastinatingInformation about procrastination and workbook to support overcoming barriers to action. Rape / Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence / Stalking Edinburgh Rape CrisisSupporting all (regardless of gender identity) survivors of sexual violence (trans/nonbinary inclusive).Edinburgh Women’s AidHelping women who are experiencing domestic violence (past or present).GALOPNational LGBT+ anti-violence charity supporting LGBT+ people who have experienced domestic violence and/or abuse.Little Green BookAccessible, easy-to-read guide for survivors of sexual violence highlighting the impact of trauma, sexual violence, ways of coping and recovery.Man Kind InitiativeSupporting male victims of domestic abuse providing information and freephone helpline.Shakti Women’s AidHelp and support for Black Asian Minority Ethnic Women who are or have experienced domestic abuse.Stalking Help and Advice | Suzy Lamplugh TrustProvides advice and resources for anyone experiencing stalking (including cyber stalking). Relaxation (Mindfulness, Guided Imagery, Progressive Muscular Relaxation) Wellbeing GlasgowLibrary of resources (information, audio and practiced) related to relaxation, mindfulness, progressive muscled relaxation and guided imagery. Insight Timer AppFree meditation and relaxation app, offering a vast library of guided meditations, sleep music, and mindfulness resources. Self-Harm Penumbra Self-Harm ProjectSupporting those who are affected by their own or someone else’s self-harm, providing drop-in sessions, counselling, support for parents/carers/friends.Calm Harm AppFree app (developed by one of the UK’s leading mental health charities) to support individuals in managing and coping with the urge to self-harm.Self Injury SupportPeer, group and individual support (email, webchat, telephone, along with resources and information for those who self-harm). Sleep Better Sleep | Wellbeing LothianInformation, resources, and workbooks collated by NHS Lothian for those struggling with sleep difficulties. Sleep Advice and InformationThe Sleep Charity UK offering resources, support, information and helpline.Bedtime Stories to Help Fall Asleep (Podcast)Podcast that has been created to put you to sleep. Sleep & Insomnia Self-Help ResourcesInformation, resources and workbook on sleep and insomnia (Centre for Clinical Intervention). Stress NHS Inform Stress GuideInformation, resources and videos on how to cope with stress and stress management strategies.Managing Stress and Developing ResilienceMind.org offers information, support and coping strategies for those experiencing stress and how to manage it. Suicidal Thoughts and Feelings Suicidal FeelingsMind.org explains what suicidal feelings are and how to help manage them. Suicidal ThoughtsScottish Mental Health Association (SAMH) offers support, guidance and information for those experiencing suicidal thoughts, guidance on how to share your feelings with others and information for those who are worried about someone else and how to talk to them. Trauma Understanding TraumaProvides a comprehensive overview to help make sense of traumatic experiences, understand what trauma is, common reactions, how trauma affects the brain, and ways to cope.
