Emotional Support

Emotional Support for Kidney Patients and Their Loved Ones

Living with a long-term illness like Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) can be emotionally challenging. Taking care of your mental health is just as important as managing your physical health. At Kidney Wales, we are committed to providing emotional support to patients, carers, and families affected by kidney disease. Whether you need counselling, help managing anxiety, access to local support groups, or information to guide your decisions, we are here to help.

We work alongside a range of trusted organizations that offer emotional support, counselling, and mental health resources tailored to your needs. Below are some of the key support services available to you.

Mind – Mental Health Support

When you’re facing mental health challenges, reliable and compassionate support can make a difference. Mind offers various services to help you understand your mental health and explore available options, including:

Infoline – A confidential helpline offering guidance and support
Legal Line – Information on mental health law and your rights
Online and Printed Resources – Practical tools and information to support your wellbeing

Find help and resources at Mind

KCUK – Free Counselling Service

Kidney Care UK provides a dedicated counselling service available to all kidney patients, carers, and family members. Their professional team offers support tailored to your emotional and mental health needs.

Call the KCUK Support Line on 0808 801 0000
Email [email protected] with your contact details, and a team member will reach out to you

Find out more at Kidney Care UK

Carers Trust – Support for Unpaid Carers

Caring for a loved one with kidney disease can be overwhelming. Carers Trust provides essential support, including:

Financial advice and grants
Respite care and short breaks
Local support groups and emotional support services

Find carer services near you at Carers Trust

Marie Curie – Bereavement Support

If you are grieving after the loss of a loved one due to a chronic or terminal illness, Marie Curie offers:

Up to six free counseling sessions with the same bereavement support volunteer
Confidential, safe, and professional guidance
Sessions lasting up to 45 minutes, available to adults aged 18 and over

For more information, visit Marie Curie Bereavement Support

Hapus

Hapus is an online resource full of information on supporting your mental wellbeing.

What You’ll Find on Hapus:

Wellbeing Tools – Discover practical exercises, self-care strategies, and guided techniques designed to enhance your mental resilience.
Informative Articles – Stay informed with expert insights, personal stories, and evidence-based advice on mental health, mindfulness, stress management, and more.
Supportive Community – Connect with like-minded individuals, share experiences, and find encouragement in our welcoming and understanding community.

Hapus

24/7 Helplines & Crisis Support

If you need immediate emotional support, help is available:

Samaritans – 24/7 Helpline: 116 123 (free to call)

You can call the Samaritans anytime, day or night, for free from any phone—no matter what you’re going through. If you prefer, you can also reach out via email at [email protected], though responses may take a few days.

For more information on how Samaritans can support you, visit their website.

SANEline

If you’re experiencing a mental health issue or supporting someone who is, call SANEline at 0300 304 7000 (available 4:30 PM – 10 PM daily).

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK

Provides a supportive listening service for anyone experiencing suicidal thoughts. Call 0800 689 5652 (open 6 PM – midnight daily).

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

For support with suicidal thoughts, call CALM at 0800 58 58 58 (5 PM – midnight daily) or use their webchat service.

Shout

If you prefer texting over talking, text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 confidential mental health support.

Papyrus HOPELINEUK

For individuals under 35 struggling with suicidal thoughts, or those worried about a young person, call 0800 068 4141 (24/7 support), email [email protected], or text 07786 209 697.

Nightline

Students can check the Nightline website to see if their university or college offers a night-time listening service, run by fellow students.

Switchboard (LGBT+ Support)

If you identify as LGBTQ+, call Switchboard at 0300 330 0630 (10 AM – 10 PM daily), email [email protected], or use their webchat service. All operators identify as LGBT+.

C.A.L.L. (Wales)

If you live in Wales, contact the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) at 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or text “help” followed by your question to 81066.

Helplines Partnership & International Support

For more support options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. If you’re outside the UK, the Befrienders Worldwide website can help you find helplines in your country.

NHS 111 – Option 2

You can access urgent mental health support by calling 111, Option 2—a free, round-the-clock service connecting callers with trained professionals.

This service is available to anyone with mental health concerns, including relatives seeking advice. A team of clinicians, including mental health nurses and wellbeing practitioners, provides triage, support, and signposting as needed.

Activate your life – Free online course

Activate Your Life is a completely free online course, provided by the NHS, designed to help you take charge of your mental health and overall wellbeing. Whether you’re struggling with stress, anxiety, low mood, or simply want to develop a healthier mindset, this course offers practical guidance to help you build resilience and improve your quality of life.

How Can This Course Help You?

The Activate Your Life course empowers you to take greater control over your actions, thoughts, and emotions. By following the strategies provided, you can:
✔️ Reduce stress and anxiety by learning effective coping mechanisms.
✔️ Improve your emotional wellbeing with practical, evidence-based techniques.
✔️ Gain a sense of control over your daily experiences and challenges.
✔️ Make day-to-day life more enjoyable by changing unhelpful thought patterns.

Learn at Your Own Pace

One of the biggest benefits of this course is flexibility—you can complete it at your own pace, in your own time, and from the comfort of your home. There are no deadlines or pressures, making it easy to fit into your schedule whenever it suits you.

Get Started Today

If you’re ready to take positive steps towards better mental health, Activate Your Life is here to help. For more information and to begin the course, click here.

Additional Emotional Support Services

Local Peer Support Groups

Connecting with others who understand what you are going through can be incredibly beneficial. Kidney Wales can help you find local kidney patient support groups, where you can share experiences and receive encouragement from peers.

Stress & Anxiety Management Resources

We can recommend and find practical tools and self-help resources for managing stress and anxiety, including mindfulness techniques, relaxation exercises, and guided meditation sessions.

Workplace & Financial Wellbeing Support

Many patients and carers experience stress related to work and finances. We can provide information on employment rights and housing through AdviceLink Cymru. If you are struggling financially or need further support with benefits, Kidney Wales can support through our variety of wellbeing vouchers and financial assistance grants to help ease these concerns.

Emotional Support