Psychiatrists' Support Service

What the Psychiatrists' Support Service is for

The college says PSS supports psychiatrists in their practice. The service sits inside the RCPsych Workforce Wellbeing Hub, the college's collection of resources on the health and working lives of psychiatrists. PSS is also listed by the BMA among the royal college support services for doctors.

Psychiatry brings its own pressures. You may carry the weight of a patient suicide, a serious incident review, a Mental Health Act decision challenged by a family, or threats from a patient on a ward. PSS is the specialty's own service, run by the college for psychiatrists facing these pressures.

Typical reasons to make contact include:

• stress after a patient death or a serious incident
• a complaint, an investigation or a referral to the GMC
• conflict with colleagues or managers
• worry about your own health and fitness to work
• uncertainty about a career decision, such as returning after leave

Use these as prompts, not as the college's official list. The PSS pages describe the current scope and how calls are handled.

Who can use PSS

The college describes the service as open to psychiatrists at all stages of their career. The PSS pages sit within the members area of the RCPsych website. If you are unsure if your grade or membership status qualifies, for example as a locally employed doctor or a retired psychiatrist, check the getting advice page or ask the college before you rely on the service.

The service is for psychiatrists. Other doctors, and other mental health professionals such as nurses and psychologists, have their own options listed below.

What PSS does not replace

A support and advice service is a place to talk a problem through. PSS is not your GP, your occupational health service or a treatment service. For your own mental health or addiction treatment, other services fit better:

• NHS doctors in England can self-refer to NHS Practitioner Health for free, confidential assessment and treatment.
• Regulated professionals in Scotland can use the Workforce Specialist Service, run by the same team.
• NHS and social care staff in Wales can use Canopi. New therapy referrals there are paused from 21 September 2026, and self-referrals continue.

For formal help with an employment dispute or a GMC case, contact your medical defence organisation or the BMA. Our guide to investigations and fitness to practise explains the stages.

Other support for psychiatrists and doctors

• BMA wellbeing support: free 24/7 counselling and peer support for all UK doctors on 0330 123 1245, members or not.
• Doctors' Support Network: an anonymous peer forum for doctors with mental health concerns.
• The Balint Society: reflective groups on the emotional side of clinical relationships.
• Doctors in Distress: free online peer groups for healthcare workers.
• GLADD: community and signposting for LGBTQ+ doctors.

For guides on the emotional load of clinical work, read moral distress, coping after an error, patient aggression and bereavement.

Preparing for a first contact

• Note your grade, your employer and your GMC number.
• Write two or three lines on what has happened and what you want from the conversation: to be heard, practical advice, or a pointer to another service.
• List any formal deadlines, such as a reply due to a complaint or a meeting date.
• Choose a private place and time for any call.

If you need help today

If you are in immediate danger, call 999. In England, call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option. Samaritans answer free on 116 123, 24 hours a day. The urgent support page lists more numbers.