Looking after your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. But when life gets hard, it’s not always easy to know where to turn. Therapy can really help – but it’s natural to worry about how much it might cost. The good news is: if you live in London, there are some free therapy and counselling options out there.
Whether you’re feeling anxious, low, overwhelmed or just need someone to talk to, support is available – and you don’t have to pay for it.
If you’re a young person* and live in London, Kooth could be a great place to start. It’s a free, anonymous mental health service where you can talk to trained counsellors, read helpful articles, and even join friendly forums with other young people.
You don’t need a GP referral or to be on a waiting list – you can simply go to kooth.com and create an account. It’s open every day of the year, and the team are available to chat until 10pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends.
Kooth is completely confidential, and because it’s online, you can get help in a way that feels comfortable and safe – even from your own room.
* age ranges may vary by borough. Check if you’re eligible here
The NHS also offers free therapy services for people who are feeling low, anxious, or depressed. These are sometimes called ‘Talking Therapies’ or IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies).
You can self-refer, which means you don’t have to speak to your GP first. Just search “NHS Talking Therapies near me” or visit www.nhs.uk/talk to find a service in your area.
There may be a short wait, but this support can be really helpful and is fully funded by the NHS.
Mind offers support and information for young people in London and beyond. You can call their Support Line on 0300 102 1234 and talk to a trained professional, or their Info Line to get information about mental health issues and where to go for help on 0300 123 3393. You can also email them at [email protected]
YoungMinds offer great advice and resources for young people. You can find information on dealing with a wide range of issues faced by young people and read real stories from real people who may be going the similar things as you.
If you’re in crisis, there is always someone to talk to at Samaritans. They are open 24/7 – dial 116 123.
Remember: Asking for help is a brave thing to do. You are not alone, and there are people who care and want to support you. Whether you use Kooth or another free service, taking that first step could make all the difference.
You deserve to feel better — and help is here when you’re ready.
Register anonymously, and for free. There are no charges for using Kooth. Ever.
Share your challenges with the community and/or our practitioners – only if you feel like it.
Explore Kooth’s activities, articles and resources . Read inspiring stories and try calming exercises.
Check in – whenever you feel like you want to. Kooth is here whenever you need us.