Freephone helpline: 0800 917 8495      
Mental Health & Wellbeing

Our office & helpline is closed until Monday 6th January 2025

Freephone Helpline

0800 917 8495
Need to talk, Need Support?

General Enquiries

0161 797 4746
Weekdays 9am - 5pm

Mental Health & Wellbeing

We all have mental health and, just like our physical health, it needs looking after. One in four of us will experience a mental health issue in any given year.


Some vascular EDS patients and family members struggle greatly with their mental health. We are here to help!


  • Patient Coordinator Support.
  • Freephone Helpline.
  • Regional Support Groups. 
  • Virtual Support Groups & 1-2-1's.
  • VEDS Support Programme.
  • Free Counselling Service.
  • Mental Health Guidance & Resources.
Meet Danika

I am a childcare professional with 13 years’ experience of working with children and their families and joined the charity in April 2022 as a Patient Coordinator. 

Recently I completed my studies of Mental Health at college and gained a qualification in Mental Health Awareness Level 1 and Level 2 in Social Care and Children’s And Young Peoples Mental Health.

I am also a Mental Health First Aider accredited by MHFA England.
Meet Scarlett

Scarlett joined Annabelle's Challenge in October 2023 taking on the role of patient coordinator.

"I am so pleased to be given this amazing opportunity to take on the role as a patient coordinator for the charity to help support all our members both existing and newly diagnosed. I have previous experience in childcare, and I love to travel especially to Ireland".

I am also a Mental Health First Aider accredited by MHFA England.
Regional Support Groups
Our regional support groups are for those who are touched by vascular EDS, creating a safe, relaxed environment where people can share experiences, advice and provide peer support creating life-long friendships with others. 

1-2-1 Support
We offer 1-2-1 support online or on the telephone. Let’s keep up the mutual support and be there for each other! If you would like to book a 1-2-1 click here.

VEDS Support Programme
Our VEDS Support Programme is available to all our members touched by vascular EDS and offers advocacy, emotional and practical support. From the moment you join Annabelle's Challenge you will have free access to all our resources and advice.

Counselling
Counselling is a talking therapy that involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to deal with emotional issues. You can get free psychological therapies, including counselling for depression, on the NHS.

You don't need a referral from your GP. You can refer yourself directly to a psychological therapies service.

Annabelle's Challenge Counselling Service
Annabelle’s Challenge is pleased to be working in partnership with Rareminds to offer a new Free, Confidential Counselling Service for individuals aged 16+ impacted by vascular EDS in the UK. For more information click here.

Helplines
Support Line - 0208 554 9004 
A confidential helpline providing emotional support to individuals of any age on any issue. Support line also has a database of local services. Ring for helpline opening hours. You can also email: info@supportline.org.uk

Saneline - 0845 767 8000
Offers practical care and support to anybody affected by mental health problems. Open noon to 11pm Monday to Friday, noon to 6pm Saturday & Sunday.

Nightline (for University students)
National organisation of Nightline student helplines in Universities across the UK. Visit the website to find if your Uni has one. www.nightline.ac.uk 

Shout - Text 85258
24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. 

Kooth
Your online mental wellbeing community. Free, safe and anonymous support. Website includes articles, discussion boards, chat with the team and daily journal. www.kooth.com

Childline - 0800 1111
Is a free, private and confidential service that you can access online and on the phone. They can provide help and support for people up to their 19th birthday. www.childline.org.uk

Winston's Wish - 08088 020 021
Provides specialist child bereavement support services across the UK, including in-depth therapeutic
help in individual, group and residential settings. They support children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling. www.winstonswish.org

Sudden
Provides free bereavement resources when someone has died suddenly or too soon. www.sudden.org
Helpful resources for young people
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE WITH RARE FORMS OF EDS

Receiving a diagnosis or living with a rare form of EDS can be a very difficult emotionally and can have a huge impact, including anxiety, stress, low mood and emotional exhaustion. This is a normal response and it is common for people to feel they would like some more emotional support. The following information may be of help in providing possible avenues of support and information. Please note that the following information is provided in good faith and as a guide only. 
NHS SUPPORT

If you would like to talk to somebody about mental health or wellbeing, in the first instance you should talk to your GP. You can also read information about accessing mental health services and support:

Mental health for children and young people: www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ 

Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline in England: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

You can also self-refer directly to a psychological therapies service (IAPT) without seeing your GP as long as you are registered with a GP at:

These services offer therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), for common problems including stress and anxiety.
PRIVATE COUNSELLORS AND THERAPISTS

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy approved therapists can be found at the following link: www.bacp.co.uk/search/Therapists
GENERAL MENTAL HEALTH CHARITIES
NHS recommended charities

Samaritans - 116 123 
Offers free, confidential, 24-hour emotional support over the phone or by email (jo@samaritans.org), or face-to-face at your local branch: https://www.samaritans.org/branches

Mind - 0300 123 3393
The mental health charity - offers information about mental health and accessing support on their website www.mind.org.uk They also provide information over the phone, by email (info@mind.org.uk) or by text (86463). Mind has also launched a ‘Find the Words’ Campaign. This aims to support individuals in talking about mental health with their GP: www.mind.org.uk/findthewords

Carers UK - 0808 808 7777
Offers a free helpline that offers advice on financial and practical matters related to caring, as well as a listening service: www.carersuk.org/
Source: EDS National Diagnostic Service

Last Updated: August 2024

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