The internet is a wonderful resource for further information. Some of the useful websites that we have found are listed below. We disclaim any responsibility for the information and advice on these sites, but they are generally helpful or will point you in further directions.
For many of the individual topics, you can find additional links under the "Sites covering multiple topics" heading below. Also see our list of list of counselling and psychotherapy websites below.
Abuse
- National Association for People Abused in Childhood
The site of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood. Information about the Association, help in finding a local support group, e-mail support, advice on finding a therapist, legal advice and articles on abuse. - Survivors UK
Survivors UK provide support, help, and information for men who have been raped or sexually abused. They have a nationwide helpline. They provide counselling, based in London, and have a list of counsellors nationwide who have particular understanding of sexual assault on men. - Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre
Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre. Free confidential support and advice by telephone or email. They also run a support group in Oxford.
Alcohol
- SMART
SMART drug and alcohol services in Oxfordshire. Offers counselling and advice, in Oxford and other areas, if your drinking or drug taking is a problem. Offers support for relatives and carers. A drop in service is provided in parts of Oxfordshire, so you can self refer. - Alcoholics Anonymous
The site for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA). Information about the organisation, the ‘12 steps’ to recovery, and how to contact the AA. - Al-Anon/Alateen
The site for Al-Anon/Alateen. This organisation is to support and help people who are, or have been, affected by a family member's drinking habits. The site gives information about the organisation and how to find meetings and other help from them. - Alcohol Concern
Information on the effects of alcohol, how to cut down on over-drinking, information about policies and reports relating to alcohol, and links to other sites. - Patient.co.uk: Alcohol and Sensible Drinking
Information on alcohol units, the dangers of heavy drinking, and some tips on reducing drinking. - Drink Aware
A site aimed at students. Information on alcohol and its effects, sensible advice on drinking and help if alcohol is becoming a problem.
Anxiety
- Anxiety UK
Anxiety UK is a supportive and informative organisation for many types of anxiety problems. Covers general anxiety, anxiety about social situations, health anxiety, many types of phobia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Provides information about the anxiety problems, managing oneself, and on various sources of help. If you want to subscribe, you can get a magazine and access to a range of specialised help. - Anxieties.com
A comprehensive site covering general anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety about social situations, health anxiety, many types of phobia, and post-traumatic stress. Each problem has a self-help guide to work through. There are suggestions for further reading and a self-assessment questionnaire.
Autism / Asperger's syndrome
- The National Autistic Society
Information on many aspects of autism, including Asperger's Syndrome – a type of autism which makes relating to others difficult but does not impede academic functioning. Includes a description of Asperger's syndrome, tips on how to structure one's living situation, sections getting a suitable job, and sources of help.
Bereavement
- Royal College of Psychiatrists: Bereavement
This page on bereavement describes the normal processes of bereavement. The sorts of problems that occur in unresolved grief are also described. Suggestions are given on how to seek professional help and how to help someone else who has been bereaved. A reading list and links with other relevant sites are provided. A further leaflet explains your emotions if you loose someone to sudden death or suicide.
Cultural
Chinese Mental Health Association
The association provides a range of services for Chinese people with mental health or emotional problems. They provide both face to face and Internet based counselling, befriending (where available), advice and more.
Depression
- Students Against Depression
A comprehensive web site aimed specifically at students. Includes information about depression, ways to help oneself, information on seeking other help and considers depression in context of society and student life. - NHS Choices: Clinical Depression
Covers symptoms, causes, treatments, information on medications, and support organisations.
Domestic violence
- Women's Aid
A comprehensive site with articles and information about domestic violence. Includes help on keeping safe and coping in the home, advice if deciding to leave, information on legal rights, and campaigns. Despite the title of the web site, the site also addresses male victims of domestic violence. Also includes advice on getting help if you are the one being violent. - Refuge
Information and advice concerning domestic violence. Provides help whether you choose to stay with a violent person or whether you choose to leave the home. They have a free telephone helpline. - Reducing the Risk of Domestic Abuse
A site run by Oxfordshire County Council. Advice and help for anyone affected by domestic violence. Provides telephone numbers for local and national sources of help. Explains what provision can be made for those who choose to leave home, including in an emergency.
Dyslexia and other specific learning differences
- British Dyslexia Association
Contains information about the BDA itself and local dyslexia associations, tips on reading / writing / computer use, advice on finding jobs etc, news items, and articles about assessment for dyslexia. - Brainhe.com
Brainhe.com is a non-commercial / non-profit making resource website for students and staff in higher education. It is developed to help those with AD(H)D, Asperger's, autism, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, dyslexia and dyspraxia. Visit the site for information about these various types of neurodiversity, and get tips to help you.
Drugs
- Talk to Frank
Contains facts on many different drugs, tells you how to get help, has a section for those worried about someone else, and has reports and stories. You can e-mail for help or use the telephone number supplied. - Narcotics Anonymous UK
This organisation works similarly to Alcoholics Anonymous, encouraging you to join a local NA group to help you stop taking drugs. The site gives information about the organisation and details of local groups. There is a questionnaire to see if you are addicted. - DrugWise
Extensive site. Includes detailed information on many drugs, including effects and risks. News and research items. Information about the law. Information on treatments for withdrawing from drugs. Extensive links to other web sites.
Eating problems
- Student Minds Peer Support Group
We run student support groups so that students experiencing mental health difficulties have access to a supportive environment in which they can talk openly about life, university and mental health. Groups run by Student Minds are held both at Oxford Brookes University and Oxford University. Email if you have any questions, to find out when the groups meet, or for more information. - Overeaters Anonymous
A nationwide organisation welcoming anyone who has problems with compulsive eating or over-eating. Runs local groups to provide support and help. No fees are charged. It is not affiliated with any public or private organization, political movement, ideology or religious doctrine. There is a an Oxford group which runs on Wednesdays at 7.30pm at West Oxford Community Centre, Botley Road. - Beat Eating Disorders
Site of the Beat Eating Disorders. Information is provided on symptoms and causes of anorexia, bulimia and binge eating. Provides ideas for recovery and on supporting someone with an eating disorder. Has message boards and a forum. - NHS -conditions -Eating Disorders
NHS website describing types of Eating Disorder and information on how to access appropriate support and treatments through the NHS - Cotswold House
Specialist Eating Disorder Service through the NHS. As well as information about the services offered by this specialist service there are useful resources and links to other websites and services recommended by the NHS
Mania and manic-depression
- Rethink Mental Illness
An organisation for those with severe mental illness. Information about the organisation, living with severe mental health problems and interacting with the relevant services - Bipolar UK
The website of the Manic-Depression Fellowship. This is an organisation that you can join if you have manic-depression, or have another interest, such as knowing someone with manic-depression. The web site gives information about manic-depression and associated problems, details about services offered by the fellowship and how to access these services, explanations about self help groups and how to join one, and links to other relevant sites. It has an interactive section with bulletin boards and chat rooms. - Patient.co.uk
A very comprehensive health site, covering both physical and mental health. It includes information on symptoms, self help, medicines, books, news and more. look out for the ‘information leaflets.’ Mental health issues covered in detail are panic attacks, shyness and social anxiety, depression, manic depression, schizophrenia, stress, eating disorders and others.
Obsessional problems
- OCD-UK
Site of OCD-UK. Information about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, self-help tips, information about treatments and support groups, research projects and more. There is special section for students. - Anxieties.com
Set up as a self-help site. Explains obsessional compulsive disorder and other related problems. For each problem there is an extensive self-help section. - OCD Action
This site describes obsessive-compulsive disorder. It gives information on local support groups, has a questionnaire to see if you suffer from obsessional compulsive disorder, has stories from other people, information on treatments, suggested reading and web links, news stories and more.
Panic attacks
- Anxieties.com
Set up as a self-help site. Explains panic attacks and other related problems. For each problem there is an extensive self help section. - Patient.co.uk
A very comprehensive health site, covering both physical and mental health. It includes information on symptoms, self help, medicines, books, news and more. look out for the ‘information leaflets.‘ Mental health issues covered in detail are panic attacks, shyness and social anxiety, depression, manic depression, schizophrenia, stress, eating disorders and others.
Rape
- Rape Crisis
A sensitively written site covering rape and sexual abuse. It is useful both to victims and to their friends and families. It gives advice on responding to someone who has been raped or abused, covers facts and myths, reporting to the police and court procedures and information about the organisation. It provides details of local help lines and counselling support, including Oxford . It also gives advice in case you are worried about anyone knowing you have visited the site. - Oxford Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre
Free confidential support and advice by telephone or email. They also run a support group in Oxford.
Religion and cults
- ReligiousTolerance.org
An extensive site giving a lot of information on many religions. It includes articles on religious topics. The site itself is set up to promote religious tolerance.
Self-esteem
- University of Texas at Austin CMHC: Self-esteem
Leaflet on where self-esteem comes from, why confidence can be low, and ideas on building self-esteem.
Self harm
- National Self Harm Network
A campaigning organisation. Includes myths and their correction. List of resources such as organisations and web-sites. - Harmless
Provides support through email, post and online forums. The website includes information about self harm and suggested coping strategies. - Recover Your Life
Supportive site for self harm: contains a forum and live support chat room, information and tips for coping, and a creative section with art, poetry and writings. - Life Signs
A supportive site which can help you reduce self harm. Has many helpful tips on resisting the urge to self harm, advice on coping with scars, a message board forum, and links to other sources of help. - Helpguide.org: Cutting and Self-Harm
Information on why self harm occurs, gives tips on self help and supporting others who self harm. - Self Injury Support
This is a national organisation supporting young women in distress, specialising in helping those who self harm. the website provides information about self injury and ideas for coping. The organisation provides a telephone helpline, text and email support, and produces some booklets which you can buy on line.
Sexuality
- Stonewall
A campaigning organisation for lesbians, gay men and bisexuals. News articles, information on the law, information on relevant social issues. Articles on current campaigns. - Pink Therapy
You can find a private therapist experienced with lesbian / gay / bisexual / transgender issues from this site. It also recommends a few books.
Sleeping problems
- National Sleep Foundation
Information on sleep and on several types of sleep problems, including insomnia and sleeping too much. Lots of tips and information. - Insomnia? 42 Simple Tips to Help You Get to Sleep
Well established techniques for improving sleep. Site also includes details of relaxation techniques. - Sleepio
Sleepio is a digital sleep improvement programme designed to help people who have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep through the night.
Stress
- Medline Plus
This website provides links to other sites on stress. The sites include facts about stress, suggestions about coping and/or seeking help, information about treatment options, research articles and more. The quality and type of links are variable. Medline also covers other topics, including post-traumatic stress.
Study problems
- Centre for Academic Development
The Brookes service which helps with problems in studying, writing, exams, referencing, maths and Academic English. Site includes information on how to contact the Centre for Academic Development services and online study advice.
Suicidal feelings
If you feel suicidal, there are many sources of help. You can contact your doctor or arrange for an assessment with a Brookes counsellor. You can ring the Samaritans or Oxford Nightline.
- Papyrus
An organisation dedicated to providing help and support for anyone dealing with suicidal feelings, suicide or depression. It specialises in suicidal feelings in teenagers and young adults. It provides supportive guidance for those feeling suicidal and for friends and families affected by suicide. The website provides self-help guidance, lists self-help resources, and links to other sources of help.
