OCD Action

It's Time to Act. OCD Action provides support and information for people affected by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder.

Helpline: 0845 390 6232 / 020 7253 2664 • E-Mail: support@ocdaction.org.uk

Getting Support

Help and Information Line

What is it?

The OCD Action help and information line is a free, confidential and unbiased service offering help, information and support for OCD sufferers, carers and anyone who is concerned that they, or their friends or relatives, may have OCD or a related disorder.

The number is 0845 390 6232 (or London 020 7253 2664).

When is it available?

Dependent upon volunteer availability, but usually Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm

Who answers the phone?

The people who volunteer are often people with OCD, BDD, CSP or compulsive hair pulling, but can also be family members and training professionals. You can be sure that all our volunteers fully understand the experience of living with OCD.

What can I expect?

You do not have to give your real name if you do not want to. We can listen supportively to you, tell you about the clinically effective treatment choices available through the NHS and how to access those treatments. There is no time limit to the length of the call – you may take as long as you need. We can also send free information packs and leaflets to you (all of our materials are sent under plain cover) – we will need your name and address to do this.

What the helpline doesn’t do

We cannot give diagnoses over the phone – this must be done by a trained mental health professional in person.

We cannot recommend specific treatments, medications etc for you over the phone – this must be done by your mental health professional.

Confidentiality

Our helpline is a confidential service and we do not share the details of your call with any other person outside of the organisation.

In extreme circumstances, where there is a real and present threat of harm to a caller or another individual/s, we will break confidentiality. Our helpline has been operating for over 10 years and to date, we have never needed to do this.

From time to time we do allow other helpline volunteers or volunteers undergoing helpline training to listen into a call. This is to help maintain the quality of our service and make sure that new volunteers are fully prepared.

For more information about our service, you can access the following documents:

Helpline Service Remit
Full Confidentiality Policy