Helplines
If you need immediate support with your mental health, there are options you can explore. If you’re worried about your safety, you can call 999 or head to A&E, or call your local crisis team if you have their number. If you don’t think you need emergency support but you still need help, you can call NHS 111 (or NHS Direct 0845 46 47 if you’re based in Wales) or you can arrange an emergency appointment with your doctor.
If you need to talk, there are lots of charities and helplines available to speak to, and who can provide further information and be with you when you need it.
General mental health helplines
Samaritans
Samaritans offer a listening service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org. 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 0300 123 3393, email: info@mind.org.uk 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. Call 0800 0119 100, chat online (from 10am) or email hello@switchboard.lgbt.
The Silver Line
The Silver Line is open 24/7 for over 55s looking for support. Call 0800 470 8090.
Young Minds
Young Minds offer a text support service for young people, 24/7. Text YM to 85258.
If you’re a parent worried about a young person, you can call Young Mind’s parent helpline on 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am - 4pm, Monday to Friday (note: parent helpline is closed from 23 December to 1 January).
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 refugees and recovery services. You can speak to them any time, day or night on 0808 200 0247 or chat online Monday o Friday, 3pm - 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 - 4pm and 6pm - 8pm, Fridays from 10am - 12:30pm and 1:30pm - 4pm, Saturday from 10am - 12:30pm, and Sunday from 6pm - 8pm. 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 web chat support Wednesdays from 10am - 11:30am and Thursdays from 2pm - 4pm.
NSPCC
The NSPCC offers support to those worried about a child. You can call 0808 800 5000 Monday to Friday from 10am - 8pm or email help@nspcc.org.uk. 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: 0786 005 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 web chat Monday to Friday from 9am - 9pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10am - 4pm.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Alcoholics Anonymous run support groups and provide a helpline for those struggling with alcohol addiction. 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 0344 477 5774, text 0753 741 6905 (both open Monday to Friday except for bank holidays from 10:30am - 4:30pm), or email support@anxietyuk.org.uk.
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 or email sarah@nopanic.org.uk for support. 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 - Thursday from 9.30am - 3pm, Christmas and Boxing Day, open 10am - 2pm.
Bipolar disorder helplines
Bipolar UK
Bipolar UK offers a peer support line with an emphasis on self-management. You can book a call via their chatbox.
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 (excluding 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 Friday from 9am - 6pm and Saturday and Sunday (and most bank holidays), 10am - 6pm. Festive period opening times are: 23 December to 26 December, closed, 27 to 29 December, 9am - 5pm, 30 December to 1 January, closed and 2 January, open as usual.
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).
Maternal mental health helplines
PANDAS
PANDAS offers support for those affected by perinatal mental illness. You can call 0808 1961 776 Monday - Friday from 10am - 5pm (excluding bank holidays) or email info@pandasfoundation.org.uk.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) helplines
OCD Action
OCD Action offers support and advice for those living with OCD. You can call them on 0300 636 5478 Monday to Friday from 9:30am - 8pm or email support@ocdaction.org.uk. Over the Christmas period, their service will still be running, but due to a reduced helpline team, it may take them slightly longer to return your call. They will not be returning calls on Christmas Day, Boxing Day or New Year’s Day.
Suicidal thoughts helplines
Papyrus UK
Papyrus UK is a charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Those aged 35 and under can call their Hopeline on 0800 068 4141, text: 0786 003 9967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org, any time, day or night.
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