Support Resources
If you need ad hoc support, there are trained people ready to help.
Urgent help in a crisis
If you're experiencing a mental health crisis and need help right away, support is available. People care and want to help you.
If you need urgent medical help. Please:
· Call 999
· Go straight to A&E, if you can
If you can't do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.
If you can keep yourself safe for a short while, but you still need urgent support, you can:
Contact NHS 111. Call 111 for the 24/7 mental health support line (England and Wales). Or contact NHS 111 online (England).
Go to an urgent treatment centre. The NHS website has more information about when to go to an urgent treatment centre.
Contact your GP for an emergency appointment.
Emotional support and listening helplines
Below is a list of some organisations you can call or message for emotional support.
The person on the other end won’t judge you, and they could help you make sense of what you’re feeling.
Mind support line
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/
0300 102 1234
A safe space for you to talk about your mental health. Their advisors will listen and help you work out your next steps. Open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
0800 587 0800
For anyone struggling with suicidal feelings. Open 6pm to midnight every day. If you can't connect to their main number, use 0800 689 0880.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
0800 58 58 58
For anyone over 18 affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. Open 5pm to midnight, every day. Helpline, online chat and WhatsApp chat.
Samaritans
116 123 (freephone)
For anyone who needs to talk. Open 24/7, 365 days a year. They also have a Welsh language line: 0808 164 0123 (open 7pm to 11pm every day). You can visit some Samaritans branches in person.
SANEline
0300 304 7000
Emotional support for anyone in the UK dealing with a mental health problem. Open 4pm to 10pm, every day. They also run a webchat service for 13 to 17-year-olds on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Text and online chat services
These organisations offer support you can access by typing rather than speaking.
The person on the other end won’t judge you, and they could help you make sense of what you’re feeling.
Shout
• Text SHOUT to 85258
Available 24/7 every day. This service is for everyone in the UK, whatever age you are. You can talk to them about anything you're struggling with. with.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
• Whatsapp service - https://www.thecalmzone.net/whatsapp (scan QR code on their website)
• Live webchat - https://www.thecalmzone.net/suicide-prevention-helpline (click the speech bubble on their website)
For anyone over 18 affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. Open 5pm to midnight, every day.
Helplines for children and young people
These services are designed specifically for younger people.
The person on the other end won’t judge you, and they could help you make sense of what you’re feeling.
The Mix
• Text SHOUT to 85258
Support for young people under 25, whatever you're struggling with. Open all the time, 24/7. They also have a crisis messenger service and webchat.
Childline
• 0800 1111 (helpline)
For all children and young people in the UK, whatever you're struggling with. Open all the time, 24/7. Free to call. They can also offer 1-2-1 online chats with counsellors.
Helplines for specific communities and situations
These lines are staffed by people who understand and want to help.
The person on the other end won’t judge you, and they could help you make sense of what you’re feeling.
National Domestic Violence Helpline
https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
0808 2000 247 (24-hour)
Run by Refuge and Women’s Aid. Provides support, help and information to women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and anyone calling on their behalf.
Rape Crisis
0808 500 2222
Offer support to victims of rape. Call the free 24/7 Support Line on 0808 500 2222 or chat online at 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line.
Cruse Bereavement Support
0808 808 1677
Emotional support and guidance for anyone experiencing bereavement. Helpline open from 9.30am to 5pm on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and from 1pm to 8pm on Tuesdays.
Switchboard
0800 0119 100
For anyone to explore their sexuality or gender. Open 10am-10pm every day. Volunteers all identify as LGBTQIA+. Their website also has a webchat service, or you can email hello@switchboard.lgbt.
Victim Support
0808 1689 111 (24/7)
Offers support to anyone affected by crime. They also provide specific advice and support throughout the process of a trial. Local, phone and online (including live chat) support.
Beat
https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/
0345 634 1414
Provides support and advice to young people and adults who are affected by eating disorders. Beat Youth Line: 0345 634 7650.
The Silver Line
0800 4 70 80 90
Support, conversation and friendship for anyone aged over 55 feeling lonely or isolated. Open all the time, 24/7. Run by Age UK.
SIFT
0808 800 8088 (phone) / 07537 432 444 (text)
Support for anyone of any age or gender affected by self-harm. The phone line is open Mondays and Thursdays, 6pm to 9pm. Text service is open Monday to Friday, 6pm to 9pm.
No Panic
0300 772 9844
Support for anyone experiencing anxiety or panic. Open 10am to 10pm, 365 days a year. At night, the helpline plays a recorded breathing exercise to help you through a panic attack. You can listen to this exercise any time of day on 01952 680 835.
Family Action
0808 802 6666 (phone) / 07537 404 282 (text)
Support for anyone struggling emotionally with any type of family issues. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 7pm (except bank holidays). They also offer online chat on their website.
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