Mind — mental health information and the Mind Infoline

Mind is the UK's leading mental health charity. For a parent going through separation or family court proceedings — where stress, anxiety and depression are common, and where mental health often becomes an issue in the case itself — Mind offers free, reliable information and a legal line for mental health law.

REVIEWED BY: Sean McNamara on 2026-09-01

What Mind is

Mind is a national charity (registered charity number 219830) providing advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem. It campaigns for better services and works through a network of local Minds delivering counselling, advocacy, crisis services and supported housing across England and Wales. Its national information service is widely used by professionals, including courts and law firms, as a trusted source.

What help it offers

Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 — information on types of mental health problems, where to get help, medication and treatments, and local services. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm (calls cost the same as a standard landline; check the current hours on Mind's site).
Email and text options for people who find calls difficult (see Mind's contact page).
Legal line — Mind's legal information covers mental health law, including detention under the Mental Health Act, capacity, community care, and discrimination. This matters in family cases where a parent's capacity or mental health diagnosis is in issue.
Side by Side and online peer support communities.
Local Minds — independent local charities offering face-to-face services; find yours via Mind's local services finder.
Diagnosis, employment, money and mental health information pages.

How a self-representing parent can use Mind

1. If your mental health is raised in proceedings — Cafcass or the other parent may allege you have a mental health problem. Mind's information pages explain diagnoses, treatment and what recovery looks like, which helps you respond factually rather than defensively. 2. If you are assessed — under Part 25 of the Family Procedure Rules an expert (psychiatrist or psychologist) may be instructed. Understanding what a diagnosis does and does not mean helps you engage with, or challenge, expert evidence. 3. If you support a family member — including a child with emerging mental health difficulties — Mind's guides cover supporting someone else and young people's mental health (see also YoungMinds). 4. If you face mental health legal issues — Mind's legal line covers Mental Health Act matters; for family proceedings involving the Court of Protection, see our dedicated capacity and deputyship guides.

Mind does not provide legal representation or family law advice. In a mental health crisis, contact NHS 111 (option 2 in many areas) or Samaritans on 116 123.

Contact details

Mind Infoline: 0300 123 3393 (Mon–Fri 9am–6pm)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Website: https://www.mind.org.uk
Legal line information: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/legal-line/
Crisis support: https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/

Useful links

Mind home: https://www.mind.org.uk
Urgent help: https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/
Children and young people's mental health: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/for-children-and-young-people/
Samaritans (crisis, 24/7): https://www.samaritans.org

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws, procedures and contact details change — verify anything important against the official sources linked above before relying on it. Your Family Case is an independent directory listing; we take no referral fees and are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or receiving payment from any organisation listed.

Content verified against the official HMCTS court directory, gov.uk forms and fees pages, and the professional body registers (SRA, FMC, Bar Council). Last reviewed September 2026.