General mental health helplines
Samaritans
Samaritans offer a listening service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123. Samaritans also have a Welsh language phone line open every day between 7pm – 11pm: 0808 164 0123.
Mind
Mind offers advice on mental health problems and where to get help Monday to Friday, 9am – 6pm, except bank holidays. Call their support line on 0300 102 1234 or use their webchat.
Shout
Shout is an anonymous, free mental health text support service, available 24/7. Text 'shout' to 85258.
SANEline
SANEline offers support and information from 4pm – 10pm on 0300 304 7000. You can also email support@sane.org.uk.
Switchboard
Switchboard is an LGBT+ support line, open from 10am – 10pm, 365 days a year. Call 0800 0119 100, chat online (from 10am), email hello@switchboard.lgbt or use livechat.
The Silver Line
The Silver Line is open 24/7 for over 55s looking for support. Call 0800 470 8090.
Young Minds
If you’re a parent worried about a young person, you can call Young Minds’ parent helpline on 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am – 4pm, Mondays, Thursday and Fridays and 9:30am – 6pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays, or email parents@youngminds.org.uk.
Childline
Childline is a confidential line for children to call if they need help or advice about any topic. You can call 0800 1111 any time, day or night. You can also access one-to-one counselling and send emails by signing into your Childline Locker.
Abuse helplines
Refuge
Refuge supports those who have experienced domestic violence by offering refuge and recovery services. You can speak to them any time, day or night, on 0808 2000 247 or chat online Monday to Friday, 10am – 10pm.
The Survivors Trust
The Survivors Trust aims to support and empower survivors of rape, sexual violence and/or childhood sexual abuse. You can reach them on 0808 801 0818 Monday to Thursday from 10am – 12:30pm, 1:30pm – 3pm and 6pm – 8pm, Fridays from 10am – 12:30pm, Saturdays from 10am – 12:30pm, Sundays from 6pm – 8pm, and bank holidays 110am – 12:30pm. You can also email them at helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org.
Respect Men’s Advice Line
Respect Men’s Advice Line is a helpline for male victims of domestic abuse. You can call 0808 801 0327 Monday to Friday from 10am – 5pm or email info@mensadviceline.org.uk Monday to Friday from 9am – 5pm. You can also access their webchat support Monday to Friday from 9am – 10am and Thursdays.
NSPCC
The NSPCC offers support to those worried about a child. You can call 0808 800 5000 Monday to Friday from 10am – 4pm or email help@nspcc.org.uk 11am – 4pm seven days a week. If you are under 18 and need help, call Childline on 0800 1111.
Hourglass
Hourglass offers support to those experiencing elder abuse, or those worried about someone. You can call 0808 808 8141, text 078 6005 2906 or email helpline@wearehourglass.org 24/7.
Addiction helplines
With You
With You is a drug and alcohol charity working with adults and young people, in community settings, in prisons, in residential rehab and through outreach. You can speak to them via their webchat Monday to Friday from 9am – 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 4pm.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous run support groups and provides a helpline for people looking for support with their drinking. Call 0800 917 7650 or email help@aamail.org.
Talk to Frank
Talk to Frank offers honest information about drugs for anyone worried. Call their helpline any time on 0300 123 6600, text 82111, live chat (from 2pm – 6pm) or email using this contact form.
Anxiety helplines
Anxiety UK
Anxiety UK is a charity that supports those living with anxiety by offering information, support and understanding. Call their infoline on 03444 775 774.
No Panic
No Panic offers support and information for those who suffer from anxiety disorders, including panic attacks, phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Call their helpline, open every day from 10am – 10pm on 0300 772 9844. If you’re under 18 years old, you can email youth@nopanic.org.uk for information.
Bereavement helplines
Cruse
Cruse is a charity offering support for those who are going through bereavement. You can call their helpline on 0808 808 1677, open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 9.30am – 5pm, Tuesdays 1pm – 8pm.
Bipolar disorder helplines
Bipolar UK
Bipolar UK offers a peer support line with an emphasis on self-management. You can book a call or email a query.
Carers helplines
Carers UK
Carers UK offers help and advice to those caring for someone else. You can call their helpline on 0808 808 7777 Monday to Friday from 9am – 6pm (including bank holidays), or you can email advice@carersuk.org.
Disability helplines
Scope
Scope is a charity offering advice on issues that matter to disabled people and their families. Call 0808 800 3333 or email helpline@scope.org.uk, available Monday to Saturday from 10am – 5pm and most bank holidays.
Eating disorder helplines
Beat Eating Disorders
Beat offers support and information for those living with eating disorders. Their helplines are open 3pm – 8pm, Monday to Friday. Call their helpline on 0808 801 0677 or email help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (England), 0808 801 0432 or email scotlandhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (Scotland), 0808 801 0433 or email waleshelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (Wales), 0808 801 0434 or email nihelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk (Northern Ireland). Webchat is also available.
Maternal mental health helplines
PANDAS
PANDAS offers support for those affected by perinatal mental illness. You can book a call between Monday – Friday from 10am – 5pm using their online form.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) helplines
OCD Action
OCD Action offers support and advice for those living with OCD. You can email them using their online form and request a callback or email.
Suicidal thoughts helplines
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
CALM
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) offers a suicide prevention helpline for anyone over 18 affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. Open from 5pm – midnight every day. Call 0800 58 58 58 or visit their website for livechat or WhatsApp.
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
The National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK offers a safe haven for anyone who needs to talk. Open from 6pm – midnight every day on 0800 587 0800 or 0800 89 0880.
Samaritans
Samaritans offer a listening service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123. Samaritans also have a Welsh-language phone line open every day between 7pm – 11pm: 0808 164 0123.
