Mental Health Support Services
Shout
Text SHOUT to: 85258
Shout is great if you need immediate mental health support but you’d prefer not to talk. Available 24/7 and completely confidential.
Switchboard
Call them on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day)
You can also email them at: chris@switchboard.lgbt
If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, this service is great if you need support. All phone operators identify as LGBT+.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK
Call them on: 0800 068 4141 (open 24/7)
You can email them at: pat@papyrus-uk.org
or you can text them using: 07786 209 697
They offer support if you’re under 35 and are struggling with suicidal feelings, or if you’re concerned with a young person who might be themselves.
Mind Support line
Call Mind’s support line on: 0300 102 1234
This is a safe space for you to talk about your mental health. Their advisors are trained to listen to you and help you find more support if you need it.
They’re open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).
Samaritans
Call their support line on: 116 123 (free from any phone)
Call their Welsh Language support line on: 0808 164 0123
Email them at: jo@samaritans.org
You can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. They’re there if you need to talk.
SANEline
Call them on: 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10pm every day)
They offer support if you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else.
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
Call them on: 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day)
They offer a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Call them on: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day)
They offer support if you’re affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could use the CALM web-chat service.
NHS 111 – urgent mental health helpline
You can contact NHS 111 any time to access support for your health. To get urgent mental health support, call 111 and select option 2.
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For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. If you’re outside the UK, the Befrienders Worldwide website has a tool to search by country for emotional support helplines around the world.
Mark Erwin 