Coping emotionally after separation in England & Wales

Separation is hard, and looking after your own wellbeing matters too. If you're struggling, the Samaritans are there 24 hours a day on 116 123, free and confidential, for anyone who needs to talk.

Relate offers counselling for the emotional side of separation, YoungMinds has a guide and helpline for supporting your children through it, and Gingerbread supports single parents. You don't have to cope alone.

When you are parenting through a separation, talking to someone trained can take real weight off. In England the route in is simpler than many parents expect, and you do not need to wait for a GP appointment to begin. If you live in Wales, your GP surgery is the best first port of call for local talking therapy services.

• For many common difficulties, such as anxiety and low mood, you can refer yourself to NHS talking therapies without speaking to a GP first; you just need to be registered with a GP surgery and aged 18 or over, or 16 or over in some areas (nhs.uk).
• NHS talking therapies, which include counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy, are free on the NHS (nhs.uk).
• If you need help urgently for your mental health, you can call 111 and select the mental health option; 111 will tell you the right place to get help, and you may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone (nhs.uk).
• The NHS also lists free listening services offering confidential support from trained volunteers; you can call Samaritans on 116 123 to talk about anything that is troubling you (nhs.uk).

Checked August 2026 against nhs.uk.

Strong feelings after a separation are normal, and they usually ease with time and support. Looking after yourself helps you look after your children.

• Talking to someone, a helpline, a counsellor, or a trusted friend, helps more than coping alone.
• Keeping routines steady gives children a sense of security.
• Be patient with yourself; there is no set timeline for feeling better.

If you ever feel unable to cope or have thoughts of harming yourself, contact your GP or a crisis line straight away.