In an emergency, you can call the emergency medical service (SAMU) by dialling 15, the fire service by dialling 18, or the general emergency number 112. You can also go to your local emergency room (urgence) in a hospital nearby. All are available to you for mental health as well as physical health emergencies.
Suicide Ecoute: 3114 / 01 45 39 40 00 (24hrs a day 7 days a week).
SOS Helpline: 01 46 21 46 46 (3pm-11pm, daily). English-language listening line based in France. Alternatively you can email the Samaritans in the UK: [email protected] or visit the Samaritans website.
No Panic: 02 51 28 80 25 / 09 79 67 65 14 (8pm-11pm, Mon-Fri). No Panic is a charity aiming to provide relief for a variety of anxiety difficulties, including but not limited to panic attacks. You can sign up for regular support emails and explore resources on their website. Outside the french times you can call the UK-based line on +44 1952 590 545, operating 10am -10pm, 7 days a week. You can also email: [email protected]
Depression & Angst in Deutschland: +49 (0)800 111 0 111/222. Auch eine Website mit Information über Depression, Angst und Phobien fur Betroffene und Angehörige.
Stay Alive: free smartphone app that offers help and support for those struggling with thoughts of suicide and those worried about someone else. It includes strategies, tools, information & access to UK-based helplines and emergency services. Alcoholics Anonymous: 0820 200 257. English speaking Alcoholics Anonymous helpline. Their website also provides details of English-language meetings held in various places across the riviera throughout the week (direct link to meetings list here).
Drogues.gouv.fr: The French governmental website for help with addictions, with specific helplines for alcohol, cannabis, drugs and gaming.
Allô 119: 119 from any phone any time. Any child or adult, parent or professional can call this number if they have worries about a child in danger.
Fil Santé Jeunes: 3224 (from a landline) / 01 44 93 30 74 (from a mobile) / skype contact: filsantejeunes. This website also has forums, FAQs and chat possibilities regarding health issues for young people, including sexuality, contraception, drugs and mental health.
Nightline: A helpline for university students, with numbers to call in different cities, including Lyon, Paris and Toulouse. The website also has some useful information, such as a First Aid Kit. Students can also get involved by volunteering for the listening service.
Websites
If you are looking for more inspirational than informational websites, check out the Interesting Links page instead. If you are looking for apps, check this page out. COPING IN TIMES OF STRESS The World Health Organisation have developed an illustrated guide giving information and tools to protect your mental health when faced with adversity and stress. The website also has audio files to guide you through some exercises in English. The illustrated guide is available in a number of different languages, is evidence-based and
COGNITIVE BEHAVIOURAL SELF-HELP PROGRAMS Self-help leaflets: This website by NHS Scotland has free downloadable self-help pamphlets developed by psychologists regarding: anger, anxiety, pain, bereavement, depression, obsessions & compulsions, panic, post-traumatic stress, social fears and sleep problems.
MoodGym: This is a free, interactive online self-help program aimed to help you develop better understanding of your emotions, thoughts and relationships and provide some practical ways of coping better with stress or difficult situations.
Living Life to the Full: An online life skills resource developed by a Professor of Psychiatry using audio, video and text to teach life skills, such as understanding feelings, helpful and unhelpful thoughts and behaviours, problem solving and healthy living.
Centre for Clinical Interventions: An Australian website with free resources and downloadable self-help workbooks on a variety of topics such as assertiveness, depression, eating difficulties, bipolar disorder, procrastination, shyness and worry.
MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION Mind: UK-based charity offering advice and support for mental health problems, with a searchable A-Z list of issues relating to mental health, including specific difficulties but also treatments and medication as well as related issues such as loneliness or crisis.
NHS Mental Health Information: Links to information and advice about specific mental health difficulties as well as a link to audio guides to boost your mood.
Mental Health Foundation Publications: Downloadable booklets on mental health topics, such as self-harm, stress, anxiety and improving your mental health through sleep, mindfulness and exercise.
Podcast: A conversation about children and teenager's mental health with James Wellings, headmaster of the Mougins School on his podcast Take the Stairs.
RELATIONSHIPS & PARENTING Project Empower: Free 1-session online programme for parents to help their children and pre-teens build bravery and reduce anxiety. Taking part supports evaluation of a research project based at Stony Brook University in the US.
Relate: This websites has information about common relationship problems regardless of age, sexual orientation and relationship status. There is information about separation and divorce, families and parenting difficulties, sex and relationship difficulties for young people. It also has an online live-chat possibility.
Incredible Years Parent Resources: The Incredible Years Parenting Programme was developed by Carolyn Webster Stratton, an american clinical psychologist and the website has a series of articles for parents as well as printable resources and handouts used in the Incredible Years Parenting Programmes.
Online Safety for Kids: This website has a page of free downloadable posters about popular apps and internet platforms used by young people, the associated risks and some tips for parents about encouraging safe use.
YOUNG PEOPLE Project YES (Youth Empowerment & Support): Anonymous and free, 30-minute online activities for teens (11-17yrs) where they can learn new ways of dealing with stress, help other teens do the same and help evaluate a research project based at Stony Brook University in the US.
Young Minds: UK-based website with information on children and young people's mental health and wellbeing with links for children, adolescents and parents.
WhatsUpWithEveryone: A series of animated stories and information aimed at young people in order to increase mental health literacy. Looks at topics such as isolation, perfectionism, competition and social media.
Talk to Frank: UK-based website providing information and support around drugs, including an email and live-chat contact.
Fil Santé Jeunes: French website about health issues for young people, including sexuality, contraception, drugs and mental health.
MINDFULNESS Headspace, Calm, and Balance: Three well-known apps that offer free trials and are then subscription-based, with good guided audio-meditations. They represent a good introduction to using mindfulness and meditation for better mental health.
Smiling Mind: An Australian non-profit initiative developed by psychologists and educators to promote mindfulness. There is a free app with different programs for adults (sleep, relationships, sport, stress) as well as programmes for children in different age ranges.
Free Mindfulness Project: This website offers a collection of free, downloadable guided mindfulness exercises.
SPECIFIC ISSUES OCD-UK: Information about OCD and other obsessive compulsive disorders, treatment, online chats and support groups.
The Bipolar Organisation: A UK user-led charity for individuals and families affected by bipolar disorder with FAQs and self-help information. Bipolar-forum ist ein Selbsthilfeforum auf Deutsch.
B-eat: UK-based eating disorders charity, with information and guides for parents, loved-ones, teachers and employers, as well as message boards, online support groups, phone and email helplines.
Cancer Support 06: Support network for English-speaking people suffering with cancer and their family and friends. Counseling, psychology and art therapy are available as well as regular meetings.
Special Learning Needs: Sprint France is a group of bilingual healthcare professionals based in Paris working with and around children with special needs. The website has resources, information and searchable directories of varied professionals. LDA Learning is resource and supply website for those who support children and young people with additional developmental and learning needs. Khan Academy is a nonprofit organisation aiming to provide educational material for free. It is available in English (US) and in French. Hoptoys is a French website also offering toys to support children with special needs, including sensory and motor deficits, developmental delay, autism, specific learning needs ('dys') and adhd.
Autism: ABLE Julie Tuil is a bilingual Paris-based service heading by a speech and language therapist, offering information, tips for parents, consultation and workshops for parents and professionals on the topic of autism and the ABA method for supporting children with autism.