ACTION ON DEPRESSION is Scotland's national charity for depression. We run a number of support services including a phone and email helpline, self help support groups and also run online courses based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. 

A community alcohol rehabilitation service and community drugs rehabilitation service. Ayrshire-wide service offering assessment and support to develop and implement individual recovery plans and SMART peer support meetings (self management and recovery training).

Young Persons Alcohol Intervention Team (YAIT) 01563 826180

South Ayrshire Council Children and Families 01292 267675

Barnardos Axis South Ayrshire Project 01292 610479

Childrens 1st Directions Project 01292 288373

Stepping Stones for Families 01465 710161

Scottish Families Affected by Drugs Helpline 08080 101011

Advocacy is speaking up for, or acting on behalf of, yourself or another person. For information on local advocacy services in your area Please call

East Ayrshire 01563 574442

South Ayrshire 01292 264396

North Ayrshire 01294 608663

if you feel you require an advocate

Al- Anon family groups provide a support to anyone whose life is, or has been, affected by someone else’s drinking.

A fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. 

This service provides community based specialist support and rehabilitation, for those who have either been diagnosed with Alcohol Related Brain Damage (ARBD,) or have cognitive difficulties, where alcohol is the main issue which people present with

24 hour freephone dementia helpline

Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy. We work regularly with external agencies and healthcare professionals to improve services for those living with anxiety disorders. We also campaign to raise awareness of anxiety disorders.

This service provides confidential individual counselling, family/carer support, telephone counselling and access to other appropriate agencies. The service operates an ‘open’ referral system

An independent charitable trust that offers free and confidential support to women and men grieving after a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, termination, stillbirth or adoption. 

Ayrshire SANDS is the local branch of the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity. We offer support to bereaved family who have lost a baby at or around the time of birth. 

B-EAT provides help lines, online support and a network of UK-wide self-help groups to help adults and young people in the UK beat their eating disorders. 

Bipolar Fellowship Scotland provides information, support and advice for people affected by bipolar disorder/manic depression and all who care. Work to promote Self-Help throughout Scotland as well as to inform and educate about the illness and the organisation.

Held in Ayr and meets the third Monday of the month at the Riverside Church, John Street, Ayr.

No need for referral, just come along on the night. For more information contact Aileen

Beak the Silence is a unique service in North & East Ayrshire offering support to survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Call to speak to a trained volunteer or counsellor.

BREATHING SPACE is a free and confidential phone line service for any individual who is experiencing low mood or depression. Phone lines open weekdays -  Monday to Thursday 6pm – 2am and weekends - Friday to Monday 6pm – 6am.

Broken Rainbow LGBT Domestic Violence (UK) was started in 2002 and became a registered charity in 2004. Our objective is to relieve the distress and suffering caused to lesbians, gay men, bisexual and transgender people by domestic violence and abuse. 

CHOOSELIFE is the national strategy and action plan to prevent suicide in Scotland where you can also access a variety of helpful resources and training. 

The Citizens Advice Service helps people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice, and by influencing policymakers.

The website below gives details of the helpline and also contains lots of useful information to help trans people.

Cruse Bereavement Care promotes the well-being of bereaved people and enables any bereaved person to understand their grief and cope with their loss. As well providing free care to all bereaved people, the charity also offers information, support and training services to those who are looking after them. 

If you are frightened or worried about the way a partner or ex partner is treating you, you can get help by contacting the Domestic Abuse Helpline. This helpline can also put you in touch with local centres.

East Ayrshire Women’s Aid

Kilmarnock: Tel: 01563 536001 / email: office@eawak.demon.co.uk      

Cumnock Tel: 01290 423434  / email: eawa.cumnock@btconnect.com

A fellowship of men and women who have joined together to do something about their own gambling problems and to help other compulsive gamblers do the same. 

A telephone counselling service for adult survivors of childhood abuse including survivors from black and minority ethnic communities. Mon-Wed, 5pm-8pm. Thurs & Fri, 9am-2pm.

Hearing Voices Groups are typically, a number of people who share the experience of hearing voices, coming together to help and support each other. The Hearing Voices Network is made up of over 180 groups, If you are interested in attending a Hearing Voices Self Help/Support group, please visit the website. If there are none listed, contact the office. 

If you are homeless or think you will become homeless within the next 2 months, then contact your local council housing service. You will be interviewed by skilled and experienced staff who will provide you with housing advice and assistance. Telephone your local council

North Ayrshire Council (01294) 314700

South Ayrshire Council (01292) 611600

East Ayrshire Council (01563) 554554

If you are homeless and need accommodation when your local council offices are closed contact:

North Ayrshire Council Out of Hours 0800 0196 500

South Ayrshire Council Homeless Standby 0808 100 3151

East Ayrshire Council’s Emergency Helpline 0845 7240000

A person centred service for women who have been identified as at risk of harm due to domestic violence. This service is based in Ayr. Referrals can be made by a variety of resources within health and social care. Referrals cans be made by phone or email.

Information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, those questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity and their families, friends and supporters.

LIVING LIFE TO THE FULL is a free online course to help you overcome common problems seen in low mood. To find out more about the course, visit the website or give them a call

MOODJUICE. For direct access to self-help resources, for those individuals with mental health difficulties. Please refer to Moodjuice website 

Moving on Ayrshire is a counselling service for adult survivors of sexual abuse and rape throughout South Ayrshire. Call to speak to a trained volunteer or counsellor

A fellowship of men and women for whom drugs have become a major problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other stay clean.

A family programme which provides information and advice to families of children and young people in Scotland up to the age of 18 years affected by autism.

National Debt Line is a helpline that provides free confidential and independent advice on how to deal with debt problems. National Debt line is run by the Money Advice Trust, a charity funded by the Government and the private sector. 

WWW.NHSINFORM.CO.UK provides comprehensive up to date health information on conditions; medication and self care advice as well as helping you find local self management resources in relation to your health condition. For specific information related to mental health please use the link below 

NHS24. A national telephone based guided self-help service for mild depression and anxiety provided by NHS 24. This service is currently available from 1pm – 9pm Monday to Friday. The service is provided by trained coaches. Members of the public can self refer and the service will accept referrals from primary care and secondary care. 

OCD UK is the charity dedicated to improving the mental health and well-being of almost one million people in the UK whose lives are affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. 

Penumbra is an innovative Scottish mental health charity, working to improve mental wellbeing across the nation. We provide a wide range of services which offer hope and practical steps towards recovery. Penumbra’s North Ayrshire Self Harm Service provides confidential and non-judgmental support to young people between the ages of 11-25 years who live in North Ayrshire. We also provide self harm awareness raising sessions to North Ayrshire based professionals and young people and information and advice to families and carers.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers Service offers information, advice, training, advocacy, leisure and social activities to carers. For more information contact your local centre:

East Ayrshire 01563 571533

South Ayrshire 01292 263000

North Ayrshire 01294 311333

Rape Crisis Scotland provides a national rape crisis helpline for anyone affected by sexual violence. The helpline can also put you in touch with Local Rape Crisis Centres.

RESPECT is the UK membership association for domestic violence prevention programmes and integrated support services. Our vision is to end violence and abuse in intimate partner and close family relationships. Our key focus is on increasing the safety and well-being of victims by promoting, supporting, delivering and developing effective interventions with perpetrators. 

Respect is the UK membership association for domestic violence prevention programmes and integrated support services. Our vision is to end violence and abuse in intimate partner and close family relationships. Our key focus is on increasing the safety and well-being of victims by promoting, supporting, delivering and developing effective interventions with perpetrators. 

SAMARITANS. Things on your mind? Call the Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

SAMH operates a Mental Health Information Service from Monday to Friday between the hours of 2pm and 4pm. Information Service staff and volunteers can answer general mental health enquiries, advise you on your rights and signpost you to your local services. Unfortunately we cannot provide medical advice, counselling, financial advice or representation, but we can point you in the direction of someone else who may be able to help you. 

Sandyford offers a wide range of health services. Including advice, information, referrals and support for women, men and young people on all aspects of emotional, sexual and reproductive health – at all stages of your life.

Scottish Marriage Care's Relationship Helpline offers you an immediate response to coping with your relationship difficulties, crises and concerns. We offer a warm human voice, providing experienced confidential support to help you talk through your problems and worries. 

THE Scottish Transgender Alliance works to improve gender identity and gender reassignment equality, rights and inclusion in Scotland.

Sexual Health Ayrshire is the Ayrshire & Arran Sexual Health & Blood Borne Virus website. Offering Contraception - including emergency contraception and condoms

• Cervical smear tests • Well woman information • Pregnancy testing • Advice about planning a pregnancy • Counselling and referral for termination of pregnancy • Sexually transmitted infections- testing, treatment and information • HIV information & testing • Hepatitis B testing and vaccination • Hepatitis C testing and Info • Sexual problems • Information/ advice about sexual health issues. You can ring and make an appointment for yourself.

Steps for Stress is a government commissioned website that aims to help people recognise the signs of everyday stress, and offers advice and information on how to take action to help stop it in its tracks such as being more active, talking to someone or helping other people. 

Support in Mind Scotland works to improve the wellbeing and quality of life of people affected by serious mental illness. This includes those who are family members, carers and supporters. We seek to support and empower all those affected by mental illness. 

Provides a confidential telephone helpline offering emotional support to any individual on any issue. The helpline is primarily a preventative service and aims to support people before they reach the point of crisis. It is particularly aimed at those who are socially isolated, vulnerable, at risk groups and victims of any form of abuse. 

The Ethnic Survivors Forum is a new culturally sensitive service available for minority ethnic communities and professional bodies. It offers support services for minority ethnic adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

Telephone alert and befriending service for older people. Based in Glasgow but now available across South Ayrshire. 

THE SCOTTISH RECOVERY NETWORK is an initiative designed to raise awareness of recovery from mental health problems 

Time Out Scotland is an independent charity that provides help and support at weekly self-help meetings for people who have depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder

A self help organisation who have been “touched by suicide” which exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by suicide. We offer emotional and practical support in a number of ways.