Case Studies

We're delighted to have such moving feedback from our guests, please see below in their words. If you'd like to share your experiences with My Black Dog, you can email us. Thank you.

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XX case studies

Key worker

I was working as a key worker during the pandemic when I reached out to my black dog. When everyone was safe at home I had to commute on public transport in the depths of winter and I felt very afraid and vulnerable. I was also pregnant at the time and found myself feeling very lonely and tearful on one of my commutes.I reached out and had company and reassurance on my commute. It was so easy to access and so comforting and I will be forever great-full of the support.Reach out if you need it, we all do from time to time and I promise it help

They are incredibly patient

I just wanted to pass on some positive feedback for one of your volunteers, "JB". I've used your helpline a few times and all the volunteers are lovely, but I've spoken to JB on two separate occasions and they've been so helpful. They are incredibly patient, really make an effort to understand what I'm going through, and respond in a very thoughtful and supportive way. They are also very down-to-earth and genuine, making it so easy to connect with them, which I haven't really experienced with any other volunteer, or even with any other helpline I've used. I'm often very emotional and in considerable distress when I first reach out to a helpline, but after talking to JB I feel much calmer and - most importantly - I feel less alone.

Until I needed your service, I had no idea you were there.

The agent I chatted with was swiftly engaged , very understanding and helped me a great deal.

It would seem I was lucky I got someone who had been through a similar experience, so knew exactly where I was coming from , he was a good man is all I can say.

They were kind, and honest

I can’t believe how safe I felt, talking with the agent... they were kind, and honest, but also helped me realise that I’m not alone, and I never really thought about it so closely until I chatted with them.

Thank you so much, My Black Dog, and a special, enormous thank you and best wishes to the agent, because they were someone I don’t think I’d ever have expected and someone who’s help I sure won’t forget!

It might even have been the most, objectively best talk about my own mental health I’ve had with anyone in my life, and I have them, and this unbelievably supportive site, to thank for that.

When I discovered My Black Dog my life completely changed

I came to My Black Dog because I hit a really low point in my life, I was in some really dark places. When I discovered My Black Dog my life completely changed, I’ve met some really lovely people through this website and I’m so grateful.

Whenever I’m feeling down I always turn to this website and someone will always answer my chat and make me feel better instantly. When I was on sick leave for 2 weeks from work due to my depression I used this service a lot then and all I would do is cry and cry and everybody was so kind towards me.

My Black Dog has helped me because it made me feel better about myself it’s made me remember that’s there’s people out there who are going through the same things/have been through the same thing and it makes you feel less alone when you’re talking to someone on My Black Dog.

I would 100% recommend My Black Dog because it’s helped me so so so much and I use it pretty much every night in the weekdays as that’s when I struggle the most.

December 13, 2024

We're hiring! Applications now open to join our incredible community at My Black Dog

September 16, 2024

Racing for Change: Supporting Abi Evans and Debra's Epic Challenge

August 29, 2024

Thank you to the National Lottery!

Resources

Mental health can affect all of us in different ways, here are some additional resources for specific circumstances.

Text Link

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XX resources

Gambling

The following can assist with issues surrounding gambling, for anyone affected by it:

GamCare

Betknowmore UK

Gordon Moody - Tackling Gambling Addiction

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Victim Support

Please note there is a government alert to phones taking place 23/4 please see following link if you need to turn it off Turn off alerts

There are people you can talk to about this, Victim Support are really helpful

Or The Survivors Trust can put you in contact with support in your area

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Sexual assault

We also wanted to share these links with you:

NHS Information

Government Info

Rape Crisis have a 1-1 free chatline for women and girls who have experiences sexual violence:

Support Line

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Self-harm

If you would like to explore further options for support around self harm/injury you can contact Self Injury Support

they offer support via Phone / Email / Text message - Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7pm – 9.30pm

They are the UK's specialist in Self Injury Support and provide access to many different resources - the service is aimed at women who are or have self harmed.

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PTSD

For survivors of torture

For members of the emergency services

We hope these resources help.

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Menopause

At my Black Dog we know that the peri-menopause and menopause are significant events in your life. We’ve included some resources here to help and support you and your well being, as well as help those close to you understand what is happening:

The British Menopause Society

The Menopause Charity

NHS menopause information and links to other support

Kate Rowe-Ham and Owning Your Menopause

Dr Louise Newson and the Balance App

Diane Danzebrink and My Menopause Centre

Emma Bardwell and Menopause Nutrition

Katie Skrine

JoinZoe Health Podcasts

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Male Domestic Abuse

The below can help if you are a man and suffering from Domestic Abuse

Mens advice line

Mankind

Both have support lines and are waiting to help you

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Loneliness

At My Black Dog we understand how loneliness can impact your well-being, so below are some resources that might help and support you:

Give a dog a bone

They support the over 60's to afford a rescue pet. Tackling loneliness for the individual and homelessness for the animal.

Support line

Offers support and practical advice for those dealing with loneliness

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LGBTIQ+

The below all offer help and advice:

Switchboard

All volunteers are from the LGBTQ+ community. The phone lines/chat functions are open 10 am to 10 pm every day and they also provide a text resource for out of hours.

LGBT Foundation

This page has general advice, information and support as well as listing various groups and events for the community.

LGBT Community Directory

This is a directory for all kinds of LGBTQ+ groups across the country (friends, families and allies too).

Stonewall

A Charity with general advice and information as well as a directory of local mental health services specialised for the community.

Galop

0207 704 2040 (LGBT+ hate crime helpline)

0800 999 5428 (National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline)

email Galop

Provides helplines and other support for LGBTIQ+ adults and young people who have experienced hate crime, sexual violence or domestic abuse.

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Kooth

Kooth offers emotional and mental help support for children and young people aged between 11-24 years, it is entirely anonymous and is available up to 10pm everyday.

Kooth or the app can be downloaded free from your normal App store

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Hub of Hope

A online directory to find mental health support and advice in your area.

Hub of hope

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Homelessness

If you are homeless, or you are likely to become homeless, you should apply to the council housing department for help.

Check the council website for a phone number or office address. If it’s late at night, look for an 'out of hours' phone number on the website. If you're told you can't apply or you are turned away at reception, this is wrong - The council has a duty to investigate your application. Your local council contact details can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/homelessness-help-from-council

Further advice:

We hope that these resources help, if you need any help with any of our links, please feel free to reach out to us.

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Forced Marriage

There is help out there for people suffering from the prospect of an Forced marriage, which in the UK is considered a form of domestic abuse. The below website offers advice and details of groups that can help you:

Forced marriages support line

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Family Support

There is support out there for Families dealing with Mental Health issues, both these sites offer practical advice, support and organisations who can assist you through this stressful time:

Turning Point

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Family Action

Family Action transforms lives by providing practical, emotional and financial support to those who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage and social isolation across the country.

Family Action

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Eating disorders

There is help out there for people suffering with eating disorders, have you tried contacting

Beat Eating Disorders

They are so brilliant and would love to hear from you, and will be able to give you the support you need

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Domestic abuse

Please note there is a government alert to phones taking place 23/4 please see following link if you need to turn it off: https://www.gov.uk/alerts

There is help out there for people suffering from domestic abuse, have you tried contacting:

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

Or if you go into your local Boots or Pharmacy and ask for ANI, they will be able to offer you a safe space and whatever help you need

Government to offer codeword scheme

Crisis support

We are not trained to deal with people in Crisis, if you are in crisis and you’d prefer to not talk over the phone there's an organisation called Give Us a Shout – if you text SHOUT to 85258 then someone will text you back – it’s available 24/7 and volunteers are trained to deal with people in crisis.

Other support you might like to try out is CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

Helpline: 0800 58 58 58

The Calm Zone

We are sharing this with you so that you can access the right support for yourself in this time of crisis. We are not trained to support individuals who need crisis support.

Take care and stay safe!

Cost of living

We at My Black Dog are very aware of the issues we all may face during this current cost of living crisis, so we have gathered together some useful links that might be able to help you on a day to day basis.

Citizens Advice

Citizens Advice have compiled a very comprehensive list of information and links to various organisations and government sites that can assist you:

Also, the following are very helpful:

Advice Site

Debt Management Charity

Help for those with Learning Difficulties

Food Banks/Food Vouchers

Unwanted food site

Food & Household good sharing community

Chronic pain

The NHS site contains useful information on dealing with chronic pain, as well as links to charities and other support

Ways to manage chronic pain

Child abuse

There is help out there for people suffering from childhood domestic abuse, have you tried contacting www.napac.org.uk

They are so brilliant and would love to hear from you.

Also,

Stop It Now Helpline

They are a brilliant organisation who provide people worried about child sexual abuse with help, support and advice about how to reduce the risk of harm to children, including those concerned about their own thoughts or behaviours, those worried about another adult or young person or parents/professionals looking for advice.

Betting

The following can assist with issues surrounding gambling, for anyone affected by it:

GamCare

BetknowmoreUK

Gordon Moody – Tackling Gambling Addiction

YGAM Gambling Support

Bereavement

The below websites can help you with various organisations and support during this difficult time:

At a loss Charity

Cruse Bereavement Services

The Good Grief Trust

Bereaved Through Alcohol and Drugs (BEAD)

TCF (a charity for families that have lost a child)

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)

Widowed and Young (WAY)

Autism

Here are some resources we have found useful for people diagnosed as being on the spectrum and resources for family and friends. These sites may be able to give you the professional support required:

National Autistic Society

Specific guidance for someone with Autism dealing with Mental Health issues

Other Sites:

Resources for Autism

Ambitious About Autis

Autism Alliance

AWARE (Children and Young Adults)

Autism Initiatives

ADHD

There are various support available for people diagnosed with ADHD, and resources for their family and friends. Please feel free to avail of these resources:

ADHD Foundation

ADHD UK

ADHD Virtual Help

The UK ADHD Partnership

ADHD Aware

ADDISS

Addiction

The following can assist anyone affected by issues with either alcohol or drugs:

Meditation

Meditation can produce a deep state of relaxation and a tranquil mind. During meditation, you focus your attention and eliminate the stream of jumbled thoughts that may be crowding your mind and causing stress. This process may result in enhanced physical and emotional well-being. Ally Boothroyd is one of Founder Niki's favourite practitioners for guided Yoga Nidra.

link Visit website

Massage

Although massages are not a replacement for treatments such as talking therapy or medication, research suggests they may work well as an additional complementary therapy. Multiple studies suggest regular massage may help to improve symptoms of anxiety and depression, while encouraging relaxation. Several studies have investigated the use of massage for patients with generalised anxiety disorder. In one small study, women with the condition were treated twice weekly with one-hour massages. Afterwards, they reported decreased feelings of anxiety and increased feelings of self-confidence.

link Visit website

Reiki

Reiki can help us cope by encouraging relaxation and bringing balance to both mind and emotions. Benefits reported by clients and patients include deep relaxation promoting a calm, peaceful sense of wellbeing, on all levels. Reiki can create a greater inner harmony and balance; regular Reiki treatments promote a calmer response to life’s challenges.

link Visit website

Aromatherapy

What Is Aromatherapy? Aromatherapy is the practice of using essential oils for therapeutic benefit. Aromatherapy has been used for centuries. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the olfactory nerves directly to the brain and especially impact the amygdala, the emotional center of the brain.

link Visit website

Anna Gough

Anna is an expert in the field of breath work and cold water therapy. With 27 years of not only professional but personal experience to help her work through repetitive trauma and chronic anxiety she has found the very simple act of functional breathing can bring so much balance to our physiology and move us out of fight or flight, which for so many are Living in 24/7 With a wide range of breath work practices to support those who many will be going through depression, illness, grief, PTSD and also, more recently highlighted, menopause, she is the ‘go to’ due to her own challenges she’s faced and also empathic nature and knowledge.

link Visit website

Joe Easton of Easton London

Need some grooming from someone you can talk to? Joe's your man. He's a master styler that can advise you how to look and feel your best. You'll get grooming advice together with classic and contemporary gents haircuts to traditional luxury wet shaves, beard trimming and styling. Joe also happens to be an excellent listener. His studio is really private, it'll just be the two of you, so it's a good place to have a chat, or not, no pressure. Either way, you'll get a discount if you mention MY BLACK DOG. He's a cool cat, definitely worth a visit.

link Visit website

Boxing Futures

At Boxing Futures we make an immediate, positive and enduring impact on the lives of those who we work with.We help young disadvantaged people take part in positive activity which makes them fitter and healthier and improves their mental wellbeing. As a result of this they find that they can use their newfound energy, confidence and experience to seek out opportunities in employment, education, training and volunteering.

link Visit website

Viveka Chauhan

Viveka is a wellbeing facilitator based in London, with roots in India. Her objective is to help you create a connect between mind, body and spirit using creative means; To enable positive transformations in mental and physical health, deepen relationships and enrich life goals. Please see her article on our blog page to learn more about The Four Types of Alternative Therapies for Mental Health.

link Visit website

Craniosacral Therapy with Safa Boga

My journey into therapeutic body work began in India, the home of my ancestors and of ancient healing wisdom. Whilst studying counselling in London I experienced my first craniosacral therapy session. In one session I had not only resolved a lifetime of bruxism but had a deep felt understanding of how I had created that particular holding pattern of tension. I was drawn to the transformative, deeply interpersonal and natural way of working and in 2018 began my post graduate diploma at the College of Craniosacral Therapy (CCST). Using gentle touch and attunement to your body and energy system I work alongside you to explore and resolve the root cause of issues that are presenting themselves either emotionally, physically or mentally.

link Visit website

Cogs Mental Health

Cogs Mental Health was founded in late 2020 and was inspired by a conversation between a group of old University friends. Whilst meeting for a weekend reunion the conversation unexpectedly turned to mental health - and several of us were able to talk openly and honestly about some of the struggles we've had in the past or struggles that are ongoing. The conversation offered a forum for friends to open up to one another and be brutally honest about how they are feeling. A few weeks later the concept of Cogs was born - a page aiming to promote mental health support and awareness whilst offering hints and tips, all based on personal experiences. With 2020 being a year different to any other we have offered tips for coping with lockdown plus ideas for workouts, home recipes and mindfulness. In addition to this we have launched our own podcast 'The Cogcast' and have started selling Cogs branded products to try and raise mental health awareness, with a % of sales going to charity.

link Visit website

Nicole Williams – Personal Trainer

Nicole Williams is a qualified Personal Trainer working in North London, she can train you 1:1 or with a small group of friends. In her own words: "My passion has always been martial arts and nutrition, I love making my workouts fun and effective! " Nicole is also the only woman in the UK black belt in Shidokan, a triathlon of martial arts, which might be one of the coolest things I've ever heard. Contact here.

link Visit website

December 13, 2024

We're hiring! Applications now open to join our incredible community at My Black Dog

September 16, 2024

Racing for Change: Supporting Abi Evans and Debra's Epic Challenge

August 29, 2024

Thank you to the National Lottery!

Mental health
chat support

^{My Black Dog is a community-focused platform offering peer-to-peer conversations for people who are struggling with mental health challenges and trauma.}

We are volunteers

We are volunteers

Feedback

About us

Our goal is simple: to reach as many people as possible who are struggling with their mental health and ease their suffering by providing a free, online space to talk openly about shared experiences.

What we do

Our Impact

How we raise/spend our money

The My Black Dog pack

Ambassadors

Ways to get involved

Volunteering

Campaigning

News

Blog

Resources

Volunteer

Volunteer with us

We are looking for volunteers who have experienced their own journey with mental health and who are in a strong position to support others. We ask that our volunteers:

FAQs

News

Blog

Resources

Case Studies

We're delighted to have such moving feedback from our guests, please see below in their words. If you'd like to share your experiences with My Black Dog, you can email us. Thank you.

News

Blog

Resources

Resources

Mental health can affect all of us in different ways, here are some additional resources for specific circumstances.

News

Blog

Resources

Mental healthchat support

My Black Dog is a community-focused platform offering peer-to-peer conversations for people who are struggling with mental health challenges and trauma.

We are volunteers

We are volunteers

Feedback

About us

Our goal is simple: to reach as many people as possible who are struggling with their mental health and ease their suffering by providing a free, online space to talk openly about shared experiences.

What we do

Our Impact

How we raise/spend our money

The My Black Dog pack

Ambassadors

Ways to get involved

Volunteering

Campaigning

News

Blog

Resources

Volunteer

Volunteer with us

We are looking for volunteers who have experienced their own journey with mental health and who are in a strong position to support others. We ask that our volunteers:

FAQs

News

Blog

Resources

Case Studies

We're delighted to have such moving feedback from our guests, please see below in their words. If you'd like to share your experiences with My Black Dog, you can email us. Thank you.

News

Blog

Resources

Resources

Mental health can affect all of us in different ways, here are some additional resources for specific circumstances.

News

Blog

Resources

Mental health
chat support

^{My Black Dog is a community-focused platform offering peer-to-peer conversations for people who are struggling with mental health challenges and trauma.}