Useful contacts and further reading The following organisations and books have been selected to help you find more information and support. Please note that the list is by no means exhaustive and shouldn't be treated as such.

In this article

Confidence Counselling organisations

Mental health organisations Recommended reading

BBC Mental health

Concentrates on mental and emotional health. Discusses the issues and the available treatments, both professional and self-help based, in simple terms.
Website: bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/mental

The Calm Centre

Offers a wide range of interactive and text-based online exercises to help you relax and calm down.
Website: www.calmcentre.com

The Confident Child

Contains articles on a whole range of tricky subjects to do with children, including behavioural problems, children's fears and anxieties, building confidence, and depression.
Website: www.indiaparenting.com/confidentchild

The Martin Seligman Research Alliance

Conducts research on positive psychology, which looks to improve character strengths such as courage, self-knowledge, social skills and creativity.
Website: www.psych.upenn.edu/seligman

One Life

Radio 1 site for young adults aged 16 to 21. Offers help with everything from coping with your family and relationships, to finding a new job and leaving home.
Website: www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/onelife

Self Help Magazine

An educational site aiming to bring you the science of psychology and practical solutions to help overcome psychological problems.
Website: www.selfhelpmagazine.com

Shykids.com

Information and tips for parents and children on coping with shyness in youngsters. Talks about shyness in an easy, matter-of-fact tone and gives advice on understanding, dealing with and even dispelling timidity.
Website: www.shykids.com

British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy

Provides a list of approved counsellors and psychotherapists across the UK. Also promotes and provides education and training for those involved in counselling.
Tel: 0870 443 5252
Website: www.bacp.co.uk

Relate

Provides confidential counselling, sex therapy, relationship education and training to couples and families.
For your nearest Relate office: 0845 456 1310
For counselling by phone: 0845 130 4016
Website: www.relate.org.uk

Social Anxiety UK

Volunteer organisation founded in March 2000 by SA sufferers themselves, who realised there were no UK-based websites for people with social anxiety problems
Website: www.social-anxiety.org.uk

British Association of Psychotherapists

Aims to provide a clinical assessment and referral system for adults, children and adolescents requiring psychotherapy. Offers a limited number of places for treatment under the their Reduced Fee Scheme. Information is free and despatched within a few days, no SAE required.
37 Mapesbury Road, London NW2 4HJ
Tel: 020 8452 9823
Website: www.bap-psychotherapy.org

Depression Alliance

Registered charity that aims to provide information and support for sufferers of depression as well as their carers, relatives and friends. Promotes and encourages research into the causes and alleviation of depression, as well as offering self-help groups.
Tel: 0845 123 2320

Eating Disorders Association

Offers a range of information on eating disorders and related issues, including details of specialist treatment available throughout the UK. Also provides a network of self-help and support groups, postal and telephone contacts.
Adult helpline: 0845 634 1414 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 8.30pm; Saturdays, 1pm to 4.30pm)
Youth helpline: 0845 634 7650 (Monday to Friday, 4pm to 6pm; Saturdays, 1pm to 4.30pm)
Recorded information: 0906 302 0012 (50p per minute)
Website: www.edauk.com

Fellowship of Depressives Anonymous

A non-professional organisation that welcomes everyone affected by depression, from mild depressives to those who may be suicidal, offering support on a self-help/mutual-aid basis. Encourages members to use suitable mental health services, but also shares helpful ideas through local groups, pen friends, a newsletter and public meetings.
Box FDA, Self Help Nottingham, Ormiston House, 32-36 Pelham Street, Nottingham NG1 2EG
Tel: 01702 433838
Website: www.depressionanon.co.uk

Mind

The leading mental health charity in England and Wales. Services include helplines, drop-in centres, sheltered housing, counselling and training schemes.
Tel: 0845 766 0163
Website: www.mind.org.uk

National Phobics Society

A non-professional user-led organisation run by sufferers and ex-sufferers of anxiety disorders supported by a medical advisory panel. Looks to help people overcome and recover from their phobias through self-help services and information.
Tel:0870 122 2325
Email: info@phobics-society.org.uk
Website: www.phobics-society.org.uk

The Samaritans

Provides confidential emotional support to any person who's suicidal or despairing.
24-hour helpline: 0845 790 9090 (UK); 1850 609090 (RoI)
Website: www.samaritans.org.uk

National Phobics Society

A non-professional user-led organisation run by sufferers and ex-sufferers of anxiety disorders supported by a medical advisory panel. Looks to help people overcome and recover from their phobias through self-help services and information.
Tel: 0870 770 0456
Website: www.phobics-society.org.uk

Young Minds

Works to promote the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people.
Tel: 020 7336 8445
Parents' information service: 0800 018 2138
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk

The following books should be available from most good book stores. More books are available through bookshops, libraries, colleges etc.

Assert Yourself: Simple Steps to Getting What You Want
Author: Gael Lindenfield
Published by HarperCollins

Confidence in Just Seven Days
Author: Ros Taylor, with Dr Sandra Scott and Roy Leighton
Published by Vermilion

The Confidence to be Yourself: How to Boost Your Self-esteem
Author: Dr Brian Roet
Published by Piatkus Books

The Definitive Guide to Body Language
Author: Allan and Barbara Pease
Published by Orion

Life Coaching: How to Live the Life You've Always Wanted
Author: Eileen Mulligan
Published by Piatkus Books

The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth
Author: M Scott Peck
Published by Arrow

Self Esteem: Simple Steps to Develop Self Worth and Heal Emotional Wounds
Author: Gael Lindenfield
Published by HarperCollins