Who we are…

Self Help is a user-led mental health charity based in the North of England.

Every year, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem. Self Help believe no-one should have to face this alone. We are here to provide the support, advice, tools and techniques you need to help you take control of your life.

We believe in people having a choice in mental health care and we value the experiences of those who have had a mental health difficulty at some point in their life.

A lot of our work is funded by local health authorities, who pay us to provide high quality services across the North of England. We also raise money for special projects by applying to trusts and other grant-making bodies.

At least 60% of our staff have personal experience of mental health problems.


Self Help is part of The Big Life group, the largest social enterprise group in the country. Everything Big Life does is driven by the need to help people change their lives, however small or large those changes might be. Our work is overseen by the Big Life group Board of Trustees.

Find out more about what we do