Your GP
Book an appointment for yourself. You can explain the caring situation, but keep bringing the conversation back to its effect on you.
Carers UK advises telling your GP that you are a carer and discussing the effect of caring on your health.[1]
NHS Talking Therapies in England
You can usually refer yourself to NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression without first speaking to a GP. Services are normally for people aged 18 or over, or 16 or over in some areas. Some areas may accept a self-referral from someone who is not registered with a GP.
Find NHS Talking TherapiesScotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
These are planned support routes. If you need help urgently, use the urgent route for your UK nation.
Scotland: telephone therapy through Living Life
NHS 24’s Living Life offers free telephone support using cognitive behavioural therapy for mild to moderate anxiety or depression. It is for people aged 16 or over registered with a GP in Scotland who are not already receiving, or waiting for, care from another mental health service.
Call 0800 328 9655 to ask for an assessment; you can refer yourself. Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm. Check Living Life’s eligibility, hours and referral process.
Wales: guided online support through SilverCloud
NHS Wales offers free online programmes for mild to moderate anxiety, depression and related difficulties. For your own symptoms, you must be 16 or over and live in Wales or be registered with a Welsh GP. You work through a programme with feedback from an online supporter; a GP referral is not needed.
The service is not for people already receiving care from specialist mental-health services; check eligibility if you are unsure. The sign-up questions check suitability. See the programmes and sign up to SilverCloud Wales. Ask your GP about alternatives if it does not fit what you need.
Northern Ireland: assessment and referral through your GP
Book with your GP to discuss your symptoms and the effect on daily life. They can assess what help you need and refer you to local mental-health services. Ask what happens while you wait and whom to contact if things worsen.
Counselling through a carers service
Carers Trust says some local carers services offer counselling. Availability varies, so use its postcode finder or ask your council which carers organisation covers your area.
What to tell the service
- What has changed for you.
- How long it has been happening.
- What it is stopping you from doing.
You do not need to prove that the other person has a diagnosis. The purpose is to describe your own health and the support you need.
If you need practical help as well
A carer's assessment is separate from medical treatment. It looks at the effect of caring on your life and whether practical support may help. Work rights, benefits and local services may also reduce the pressure behind your symptoms.
Sources and how this guide was written
Your GP
Carers UK: looking after yourself and NHS: accessing mental-health services.NHS Talking Therapies in England
NHS service finder and eligibility information. Other UK routes are below.Counselling through a carers service
Carers Trust counselling guidance.If you need practical help as well
NHS: carer's assessments.
Last full source check: 27 August 2026
Later checks: Resource routes checked: 1 October 2026.
Living Life contact details and eligibility checked: 8 October 2026.
Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.
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