Mental Health
How to get mental health support in the UK, what the evidence says about therapy and medication, and the everyday levers with real trial data: exercise, sleep, alcohol and connection.
About this classroom
This classroom is practical. It explains the routes into support, how therapies and medicines are studied, and the everyday factors with the strongest evidence for mood, so you can act early and ask better questions. It sits alongside the Brain & Mental Wellbeing classroom, which covers stress, anxiety, depression and focus in more depth.
Where the evidence stands: Psychological therapy, exercise and treating insomnia have substantial trial evidence for mood. Nothing here replaces assessment when symptoms persist or safety is in question.
What you will learn
- Find the right door - GP, NHS Talking Therapies, 111, crisis lines: what each one is for.
- Judge therapy and medication claims - How talking therapies and medicines are studied, and what the trials show.
- Use the levers with evidence - Exercise, sleep, alcohol and connection, graded honestly.
- Know when it is urgent - Clear limits and crisis signposting on every lesson.
Curriculum
Getting help
Routes into support and how treatments are studied.
Everyday levers
The habits with trial evidence for mood.
Connection & life stress
Loneliness, work and loss.
Frequently asked
- Do I need a GP referral for therapy on the NHS?
- In England you can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without seeing a GP first, if you are registered with a GP and aged 18 or over (16 in some areas). In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland the GP is the usual route, and each nation has its own 111 or helpline service.
- Is exercise as good as antidepressants?
- Trials show moderate benefit for mild to moderate depression, often alongside treatment. For moderate or severe depression it supports care rather than replacing assessment.
- What if someone cannot stay safe right now?
- Call 999 or go to A&E. Samaritans are on 116 123 free, 24 hours, and NHS 111 has a mental health option in England.
Sources for this classroom
Educational content only. Not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing your health regimen.