We are Rethink Mental Illness

We improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness through our network of local groups and services, expert information and successful campaigning. Our goal is to make sure everyone affected by severe mental illness has a good quality of life.

Find advice and information

About mental illness

Here you can find information on different mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders, depression and eating disorders. This section also includes symptoms of mental illness and how to cope with suicidal thoughts and self-harm.

Learn more about mental illness About mental illness

Living with mental illness

With the right support and treatment, mental illness doesn't have to be a barrier to a fulfilling life. In this section find out more about medication, treatment options and how to look after your physical health and wellbeing.

Learn more about living with mental illness Living with mental illness

Rights & benefits

It’s important to know your rights when living with a mental illness or caring for someone who does. This section has information on mental health laws, rights and restrictions, social care, welfare benefits, employment and health care. It also includes resources on the police, courts & prison service.

Learn more about rights and benefits Rights & benefits

Information for carers

Our Carers Hub has lots of resources to help carers of people living with a mental illness. This section includes information on social services support for carers, mental illness running in families, confidentiality, supporting someone and what to do in a crisis.

Learn more about being a carer Information for carers

Our latest news & blogs

Top moments of 2019 in Rethink Mental Illness services

23/12/2019

We asked our colleagues in services, who work day-in-day-out to improve the lives of people affected by mental illness, for their highlights of the year.

20/12/2019

Christmas isn't always easy, particularly for those of us experiencing mental illness. Here's some top tips from our supporters on dealing with the holiday.

20/12/2019

The past decade has been a memorable one for the charity, here are our top moments.

06/12/2019

Virgin Trains staff supported our work at Rethink Mental Illness from April 2017 to the end of their rail franchise in December 2019. Our Head of Corporate Partnerships looks back at our partnership.

21/01/2020

A new alliance of charities has been formed to develop a bold new community-based mental health support service for Somerset residents.

17/05/2019

Our great friend and all-round great guy, Carl Burkitt, tells us about his experience of self-harm and how he learned to treat himself with compassion and understanding.

17/05/2019

If you meet someone, when is the right time to disclose your illness? We asked mental health campaigner Ellie about when she first tackles that tricky conversation.

09/10/2019

According to the World Health Organisation, someone loses their life to suicide every 40 seconds. To highlight this harrowing fact, the theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘suicide prevention’. In this special blog, Simon Gray shares his first-hand experience of suicide and the collective responsibility and role we can have in preventing it.

10/10/2019

World Mental Health Day 2019 is focused on preventing suicide – which remains a global public health emergency, causing 800,000 deaths every year worldwide. Here, Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree, calls on government and local authorities to set a target of reducing the number of suicides to zero, so every family is spared of the anguish and heartache caused by suicide.

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How we are making a difference

We campaign and influence

Driven by people with personal experience of mental illness, we campaign nationally and locally to push mental health up the public agenda and change government policy for the better. Join our movement of passionate campaigners and help us make sure that everyone has access to high quality health care, no matter where they live or what their personal circumstances are.

We listen and advise

Our website provides advice to millions of people through over 200 award-winning factsheets. Our trusted advisors are also on hand to provide advice on the phone on living with mental illness, medication, care and treatment. They can be called as often as needed and will take time to explain and set out options about what to do next. If you are looking for support, you can trust us to get it right.

We care and support

For nearly 50 years, we have supported thousands of people every year to get through crises, live independently and ensure they don't face mental illness alone. Our network of 140 peer support groups offer a listening ear, practical help and social support. Our 200 plus services include everything from supported housing, one-to-one help for carers, to group activities for people leaving hospital.