Advice service and information

Rethink’s National Advice Service provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff.

The National Advice Service team also provides evidence to the media, government and our own research team to improve mental health policy.

The world of mental health can be complex and confusing, and finding accurate and detailed advice can be daunting. The National Advice Service is a unique source of detailed advice which covers a wide range of mental health problems.

Our staff possess a wealth of in-depth knowledge and experience. They are highly trained to provide specific solution based guidance and offer information and advice in response to over 10,000 enquiries every year.

We can provide advice and information on a wide range of mental health issues including:

  • 24 hour care
  • Treatment, medication and therapy
  • Getting a second opinion
  • Recovery
  • Living with severe mental illness
  • Children and mental illness
  • Maximising benefits
  • Helping people look for work
  • The law, individual rights and government
  • The police, courts and prison
  • Getting help to prepare for hearings
  • Getting help with inquests
  • Carers information

Rethink is committed to providing cooperative, interconnected services which work together, and although the Advice Service is not able to provide listening, befriending or counselling services, callers can be put in touch with other local Rethink services which can help in these areas.

Using the National Advice Service

Our Advice Service is committed to these key principles:

Independence - We always act in the interests of our enquirers and are not influenced by any external bodies or interest groups.

Impartiality – Everyone who contacts us is treated appropriately and with respect. We make no assumptions or judgements about our callers, and every enquiry is taken seriously. We are all too aware that in mainstream mental health provision, 1 in 3 people are turned away when they first ask for help.

Confidentiality – Everything callers tell us is treated in the strictest confidence and in accordance with Rethink’s confidentiality policy.

Free access – No-one ever has to pay for the advice or information they receive.


We use Language Line, enabling non-English speaking callers to contact us in their first language. We also use Type Talk for those with a hearing impairment

The National Advice Service also produces a wide range of written information about the issues which really matter to people who use services and carers, including fact sheets, resource packs and books.

To contact the Rethink National Advice Service, please call 020 8974 6814. The Service is available from Monday to Friday 10am – 3pm, except Tuesday and Thursday 10am - 1pm

We receive a very high volume of calls and unfortunately it is not always possible to get through to the National Advice Service first time. Please be patient and continue calling us – we are committed to responding to your call as soon as we can.

We can also provide information and advice online. Please email advice@rethink.org

Alternatively, you can write to:

Rethink National Advice Service,
28 Castle Street
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey