SANE
SANE Logo
SANE is an organization which raises awareness about people with mental illness and their families. They provide information and emotional support to those experiencing mental health problems, their families and carers through SANELINE. They also undertake research into the causes of serious mental illness through the Prince of Wales International Centre for SANE Research. SANE initially focused on schizophrenia and now is concerned with mental illness.
Contact
1st floor, Cityside House, 40 Adler Street, London E1 1EEEmail: london@sane.org.uk
Telephone: 0845 767 8000 All calls are local rate.
Nationwide Helpline: SANELINE
SANELINE is national ‘out of hours’ telephone helpline offering practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anybody affected by mental health problems. Calls are totally confidential within the organization and are not traced. Very occasionally, under extreme circumstances where they feel life is in danger, they may breach confidentiality by calling the emergency services, but only if you have already given them your name and address.
SANELINE is accredited by the Mental Health Partnership Quality Standard.
Interpreters are provided through Language Line, a service offering interpretation in over 100 languages.
The calls are answered by volunteers who have had extensive training on a programme recognized by the Royal College of Psychiatrists. Volunteers will be non-directive and non-judgemental and will be able to listen and discuss options with you. There is no set time limit. SANELINE volunteers are trained to support people who are feeling suicidal. Highly experienced co-ordinators are on hand to help. SANELINE volunteers are able to:
- Offer support and a listening ear in times of crisis
- Give information to help you make decisions
- Put you in touch with services in your local area and give you up-to-the-minute details about current treatments, medication, side effects etc.
- Help you with current mental health legislation and the mental health system.
Volunteers have access to a huge database of resources and information, which is updated daily.
You can be referred to a ‘Caller Care’ team, which means that particularly vulnerable people can be contacted during a period crisis and feeling isolated, if they want to be. This service is staffed by trained mental health workers. It operates during office hours and also provides out of hours and weekend cover.
Website
The website (www.sane.org.uk) has up-to-date information about mental health, treatments legislation, etc. There are downloadable fact sheets on Alcohol and Drugs, Anxiety, Depression, Manic Depression, Medical Treatments, Obsessions, Phobias, Schizophrenia and Talking Treatments. There are also other books and publications available on request, many of which are free. For example, Discover the Road Ahead handbook which provides helpful information on detecting the early signs of schizophrenia, how to deal with the diagnosis, the progression of the condition, and the latest treatments available support, and provides useful case studies. A mental health series of booklets are also available free on request.
