Mental health crisis helplines
If you or your children, children or adults under your care are in crisis and need to talk right now, there are many helplines staffed by trained people ready to listen. They won’t judge you and could help make sense of difficult feelings.
Childline 0800 11 11
To help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, their trained counsellors are there to support you.
Hopeline UK 0800 068 41 41
A confidential support and advice service for Children and Young People under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Text: 07860 039967 • Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Text Beyond to 85258 for free, 24/7 text support across the UK.
Trained volunteers will listen to how you’re feeling and help you think the next step towards feeling better.
Call Samaritans 116 123 jo@samaritans.org samaritans.org
Samaritans are available day or night, for anyone who’s struggling to cope and who needs someone to listen without judgement or pressure.
Switchboard 0330 330 0630
We are Switchboard, the LGBT+ Helpline. We are a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being. We support people to explore the right options for themselves. We aspire to a society where all LGBT+ people are informed and empowered.
Shout
85258 (textline) giveusashout.org
Shout is a confidential and anonymous 24/7 text support service for anyone struggling to cope. It is free to text Shout from all major mobile networks in the UK. To speak to a trained volunteer, text SHOUT to 85258.
SANEline.
If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK.
Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day).
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM).
You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
The Mix.
If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
Papyrus HOPELINEUK.
If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (24 hours, 7 days a week), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
Nightline.
If you’re a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too
Mind
0300 123 3393 can also help you find services that can support you. If you’re outside the UK, the Befrienders Worldwide website has a tool to search by country for emotional support helplines around the world.
General support for young people
Action for Children
actionforchildren.org.uk
Supports children, young people and families across England with emotional and practical care.
Barnardo’s
barnardos.org.uk
Practical information and emotional support for:
- Young people
- Young people leaving care
- Young carers
Provides local services for further support in some regions.
NHS Every Mind Matters
nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/youth-mental-health
Information and advice on mental health and wellbeing for young people. Includes videos about dealing with change, social media and sleep.
On My Mind
annafreud.org/on-my-mind
Information, support and resources to help young people understand more about mental health and wellbeing. Search the Youth Wellbeing Directory to find services near you.
Our Time
ourtime.org.uk
Information and workshops for children and young people whose parents or carers experience mental health problems
Reading Well
reading-well.org.uk/resources/young-people
Self-help books to help people understand and manage their mental health and wellbeing. Also available in Welsh.
YoungMinds
youngminds.org.uk
Mental health support for young people, parents and carers. Includes information about mental health problems and medication.
Youth Access
youthaccess.org.uk
Advice and counselling network for young people. Includes a search tool for finding free local services.
List of Support Helplines
