Resources & Support
The books we publish are companion reading — the voices of people who have walked a similar road. They are not a substitute for professional care, and they are not a crisis service.
If you need urgent help
If you or someone else may be in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services straight away. If you are in crisis or finding it hard to cope, please reach out to a qualified professional or someone you trust. You do not have to face it alone.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — call or text 988 in the United States, 24 hours a day.
- Samaritans — free to call on 116 123 in the UK and Ireland, 24 hours a day.
Elsewhere, your local emergency number and your national health service are the fastest routes to help.
Speak with a professional
For diagnosis, treatment, and guidance specific to your situation, your doctor, a licensed mental-health professional, or a specialist in your condition is the right source of support. If you are unsure where to begin, your primary-care provider can point you toward the right care.
Where to read reliable medical information
Our books tell you what an experience felt like. For clinical facts — what a condition is, how it is diagnosed, and which treatments are established — these independent, non-commercial sources are a good place to start:
- MedlinePlus — plain-language health information from the US National Library of Medicine.
- NHS Health A to Z — condition and treatment guides from the UK National Health Service.
- World Health Organization health topics — global guidance and fact sheets.
- National Institute of Mental Health — mental health conditions and treatments.
- Mind — UK mental health charity, with practical guides for patients and carers.
- American Cancer Society — cancer types, treatment and support.
- PubMed Central — the free archive of published biomedical research, if you want the primary studies.
Resources in every book
Each volume closes with a curated list of organisations and resources relevant to its specific topic, chosen to point you toward credible, professional support.
Finding a helpline
Free and confidential helplines exist in most countries for mental health, specific illnesses, and caregivers. Look for the established national organisation for your condition or region, or ask your care team for a referral — they can connect you with trusted local services.
Whatever road you are on, we hope these books remind you that you are in good company.