Helplines
There are times when we all need information, advice or support or simply just a person to talk to. Whatever is on your mind there are a wide range of helplines run by charities, organisations or public bodies who are set up to provide help and support.
Most helplines are not for people in immediate danger. In an emergency call 999. In non-emergencies you can also call the Police on 101 or NHS on 111.
Please note that 0800 and 0808 calls are free from consumer landlines or mobile phones. They may not be free on business phones. Other phone numbers may incur a cost to call.
Get support from a mental health charity
Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, these mental health charities, organisations and support groups can offer expert advice.
Urgent help in a crisis
If you need help during a mental health crisis or emergency, NHS urgent mental health helplines provide:
- 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
- help to speak to a mental health professional
- an assessment to help decide on the best course of care
Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline
If you are in a crisis or distressed call the Samaritans. It is important to know is that whatever is on your mind you will not be wasting anyone’s time.
Phone: 116 123 (24 hours)
Text: Text the word SHOUT to 85258 (24 hour crisis text support).
Website: www.samaritans.org
Quick links
A-Z of Mental Health Resources
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Website: www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Bipolar UK
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
CALM
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men aged 15 to 35.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily, 5pm to midnight)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Men’s Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
Website: www.menshealthforum.org.uk
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Website: www.mind.org.uk
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome your phobia or OCD.
Helpline: 0300 772 9844 – 24 Hour Crisis Line: 01952 680835
Website: www.nopanic.org.uk
OCD Action
Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.
Helpline: 0300 636 5478
Website: www.ocdaction.org.uk
OCD UK
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.
Helpline: 01332 588112 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.ocduk.org
PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPElineUK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends)
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Helpline 0121 522 7007 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.rethink.org
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
Website: www.samaritans.org
SANE
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers.
Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it most: www.sane.org.uk/textcare
Peer support forum: www.sane.org.uk/supportforum
Website: www.sane.org.uk/support
YoungMinds
Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals.
Phone: Parents’ helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Abuses and victim support
Action on Elder Abuse
Action on Elder Abuse works to protect, and prevent the abuse of, vulnerable older adults and provides a confidential helpline for anyone concerned – including older people themselves, their friends and relatives.
Phone: 0808 808 8141 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Website: www.wearehourglass.org
Childline – NSPCC
Children’s charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty.
Phone: 0800 1111 Childline for children up to the age of 18 (24 hours)
Phone: 0808 800 5000 NSPCC helpline for adults concerned about a child (24 hours)
Websilte Childline: www.childline.org.uk
Website NSPCC: www.nspcc.org.uk
CrimeStoppers
Anyone who would like to report a crime but is uncomfortable going directly to the Police can call CrimeStoppers. Crimes can be reported in confidence and anonymously – calls are not traced.
Phone: 0800 555 111 (24 hours)
Website: www.crimestoppers-uk.org
EACH (Educational Action Challenging Homophobia)
Support for adults and young people affected by homophobic or transphobic bullying.
Phone: For young people – 0808 1000 143 (lines open Monday – Friday 9am-4pm)
Equality Advisory & Support Service – EASS
Assistance and advice on equality and human rights
Helpline : 0808 800 0082 (Mon-Fri 9am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 2pm)
Website: www.equalityadvisoryservice.com/
Mankind
Support to male victims of domestic abuse and violence.
Phone: 01823 334244 (Mon-Fri 10am-4pm)
Website: www.mankind.org.uk
Modern Slavery Helpline
Confidential helpine if you or someone else may be a victim of slavery or exploitation
Phone: 08000 121 700 (24 hours)
Website: www.modernslaveryhelpline.org/
Rape Crisis – England and Wales
Supporting anyone in England and Wales affected by rape and sexual violence.
Website: www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Rape Crisis Scotland
Supporting anyone in Scotland affected by rape and sexual violence.
Phone: 08088 010302 (6pm – 12 midnight)
Website: www.rapecrisisscotland.org.uk
The Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre
Supporting anyone who has been raped or sexually abused regardless of when the abuse happened.
Phone: 0808 802 9999 (12 noon – 2.30pm and 7pm – 9.30pm)
Website: http://www.rasasc.org.uk
Refuge Domestic Violence Helpline
Advice on dealing with domestic violence.
Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24 hours)
Website: www.refuge.org.uk
Respect – Men’s Advice Line
Advice and support for men experiencing domestic violence and abuse from a partner or ex-partner
Phone: 0808 801 0327 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Website: mensadviceline.org.uk
Revenge Porn Helpline
Supporting adult victims of intimate image abuse and seeking to remove images placed online unlawfully
Email: help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk
Website: www.revengepornhelpline.org.uk
National Centre for Domestic Violence
Emergency injunction service to survivors of domestic violence regardless of their financial circumstances.
Phone: 0800 970 2070 (24 hours)
Website: www.ncdv.org.uk
National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans Domestic Violence Helpline
Helplines providing support to LGBT+ people suffering domestic abuse.
Phone: 0800 999 5428 (Mon-Fri 10am-5pm / Weds-Thurs 10am-8pm)
Website: www.galop.org.uk
National Stalking Helpline
Information and support for harassment or stalking.
Phone: 0808 802 0300 (Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 9.30 – 4pm, Weds 1– 4pm)
Website: www.suzylamplugh.org/Pages/Category/national-stalking-helpline
Support Line
Emotional support for people of all ages including people who are vulnerable or victims of any form of abuse
Phone: 01708 765200
Website: http://www.supportline.org.uk
Victim Support
Supporting people affected by crime and traumatic events, regardless of whether or not the Police are notified.
Phone England and Wales: 0808 168 9111 (24-hours)
Phone Scotland: 0800 160 1985 (Mon-Fri 8am-8pm)
Website England and Wales: www.victimsupport.org
Website Scotland: www.victimsupport.scot
Alcohol misuse
Alcoholics Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 917 7650 (24-hour helpline)
Website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a free self-help “12 step” group for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking
Phone: 0800 0086 811 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Website: https://www.al-anonuk.org.uk/
NHS Drinkline
A free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.
Phone: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
National Association for Children of Alcoholics offers free confidential advice and information to everyone affected by a parent’s drinking including children, adults and professionals.
Phone: 0800 358 3456 (Friday, Saturday and Monday 12pm to 7pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12pm to 9pm)
Website: https://www.nacoa.org.uk/
SMART Recovery UK
SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK (9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Website: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/
Alzheimer’s and dementia
Alzheimer’s Society
Provides information on dementia, including factsheets and helplines.
Phone: 0333 150 3456 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and 10am to 4pm on weekends)
Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Alzheimer Scotland
Help in Scotland for dementia sufferers, as well as their families and carers.
Phone: 0808 808 3000 (24 hours)
Website: www.alzscot.org
Dementia UK
The Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline is for anyone with a question or concern about dementia and the challenge go living with the condition
Phone: 0800 888 6678 (Mon-Fri 9am-9pm / Sat-Sun 9am-5pm)
Website: www.dementiauk.org
Animal welfare
RSPCA
Rescue and protection of neglected or badly treated animals.
(24 hours)
Bereavement
Cruse Bereavement Care
Phone: 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Cancer
Cancer Research UK
Information for anyone affected by cancer. Cancer information nurses are available via the helpline.
Phone: 0808 800 40 40 (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm)
Website: www.cancerresearchuk.org
Macmillan Cancer Support
Offers practical support for people affected by cancer
Phone: 0808 808 0000 (Mon-Fri 9am-8pm)
Website: www.macmillan.org.uk
Caring for someone
Carers UK
Information advice and support for people who need help looking after a friend or family member.
Phone: 0808 808 7777 (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm)
Website: www.carersuk.org
Children & Youth (inc. Forced Marriage & FGM)
Become
A service for children and young people in care, supporting anyone who is living in residential or foster care.
Phone: 0800 023 2033 (Mon-Fri 10am – 5pm)
Website: www.becomecharity.org.uk
ChildLine
Support and counselling for anyone up to the age of 18 about anything of concern.
Phone: 0800 11 11 (24 hours)
Website: www.childline.org.uk
The Forced Marriage Unit
The UK Government Forced Marriage Unit offers advice to anyone living in the UK, whatever their nationality. It also helps UK nationals who are facing forced marriage abroad.
Phone: 0207 008 0151 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or 0207 008 1500 outside these hours (ask for the Global Response Centre)
Website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/forced-marriage
Karma Nirvana
Karma Nirvana supports victims and survivors of Forced Marriage and Honour Based Abuse.
Phone: 0800 5999 247 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Website: www.karmanirvana.org.uk
Muslim Women’s Network FGM Helpline
Information and support for Asian and Muslim women and girls
Phone: 0800 999 5786 (Mon-Fri 10am -4pm)
Text: 07415 206 936 (Text at any time, replies Mon-Fri 10am -4pm)
Website: www.mwnhelpline.co.uk/issuesstep2.php?id=16
The Mix
Non-judgmental support and information for young people under 25 on everything from sex and exam stress to debt and drugs and self harm.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Website: https://www.themix.org.uk/
NSPCC – FGM
Offering support advice for anyone concerned about female genital mutilation (FGM).
Phone: 0800 028 3550 (24 hours)
Website: www.nspcc.org.uk/fgm
Supportline
Support for any problems including bullying and cyber-bullying.
Phone: 01708 765 200 (Mon 8.30 – 10.30am, Tues-Thurs 5pm – 7.30pm)
Website: www.supportline.org.uk/problems/bullying_at_school.php
Disability
Scope
Support for disabled people, their families or carers and professionals.
Phone: 0808 800 3333 (Mon-Fri 8am-7pm / Sat-Sun 10am-6pm)
Website: www.scope.org.uk
Drug misuse
Cocaine Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 612 0225 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Website: https://cocaineanonymous.org.uk/
FRANK
Free, confidential information and advice about drugs, their effects and the law. FRANK’s live chat service runs daily from 2pm to 6pm.
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Website: https://www.talktofrank.com/
Marijuana Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using marijuana with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 124 0373 (callback service)
Website: http://www.marijuana-anonymous.org.uk/
Narcotics Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using drugs with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 999 1212 (daily, 10am to midnight)
Website: www.ukna.org
Northern Ireland – Addiction NI
Support and information for alcohol and drugs issues, for anyone based in Northern Ireland.
Phone: 02890 66 44 34 (Mon-Thurs 9am – 5pm, Fri 9am – 1pm)
Website: http://www.nicas.info/
Scotland – Know The Score
Information on drug issues, for anyone based in Scotland.
Phone: 0800 587 5879 (Mon-Fri 9am – 9pm, Sat-Sun 10am – 4pm)
Website: www.knowthescore.info
SMART Recovery UK
SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK (9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Website: https://smartrecovery.org.uk/
Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline
Support information for alcohol and drugs issues, for anyone based in Wales.
Phone: 0808 808 22 34 (lines open 24 hours)
Website: www.dan247.org.uk
Eating disorders
Beat
Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
Website: www.b-eat.co.uk
Gambling
Gamblers Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hour)
Website: https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/
Gam-Anon
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme is for those affected by someone else’s gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Website: www.gamanon.org.uk
National Gambling Helpline
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
Website: www.begambleaware.org
National Problem Gambling Clinic
A specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers aged 13 and over.
Phone: 020 7381 7722 (callback)
Health
NHS Blood Donation
To book an appointment or make an enquiry about giving blood
Phone England: 0300 123 23 23 (24 hours)
Phone Scotland: 0345 90 90 999 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Phone Wales: 0800 25 22 66 (8am-8pm Mon-Fri / 9am-1pm Sat)
Website England: https://www.blood.co.uk Website Scotland: https://www.scotblood.co.uk Website Wales: https://www.welsh-blood.org.uk
NHS 111 – NHS health enquiries
Phone: 111
Website (England): http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/AboutNHSservices/Emergencyandurgentcareservices/Pages/NHS-111.aspx
Website (Scotland): http://www.nhs24.com/explained/services/
Website (Wales): http://www.was-tr.wales.nhs.uk/Default.aspx?pageId=315&lan=en
Homelessness and housing
Shelter
Advice and information for people with a housing problem or who are homeless / about to become homeless or badly housed.
Phone: 0808 800 4444 (England: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm & Sat-Sun 8am-5pm / Scotland: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm / Wales: 9.30am-4pm Mon-Fri)
Website England: www.shelter.org.uk
Website Wales: www.sheltercymru.org.um
Website Scotland: www.scotland.shelter.org.uk
Learning disabilities
Mencap
Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers.
Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Website: www.mencap.org.uk
LGBT+
UK LGBT+ helpline
Helpline: 0800 0119 100 (10am to 10pm)
Website: www.switchboard.lgbt
Missing people
Missing Persons
Support and options for people who are thinking about going missing or are already away and the families of those missing
Phone: 116 000 Call or text (24 hours per day)
Website: www.missingpeople.org.uk
Money matters
Citizens Advice Bureaux (CAB)
Network of charities providing confidential advice on money, legal, consumer and other problems.
Phone England: 03444 111 444 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Phone Wales: 03444 77 20 20 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Phone Scotland: 0800 028 1456 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Job Centre Plus
UK job search support
Phone: 0800 055 6688 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm)
Website: www.gov.uk/find-a-job
Money helper
Information, help and support on all aspects of money supported by the UK Government
Phone: 020 8132 5284 (8.00am to 6.30pm on weekdays)
Website: maps.org.uk/moneyhelper/
National Debt Line
Information and support for dealing with debt and money issues
Phone: 0808 808 4000 (Mon-Fri 9am-8pm)
Website: www.nationaldebtline.org
Adviceline (England)
03444 111 444 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Advicelink (Wales)
03444 77 20 20 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri)
Website: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Older people
Age UK
Age UK provides free information, advice and support on the issues that matter to older people.
Phone: 0800 678 1602 (8am-7pm)
Website: www.ageuk.org.uk
The Silver Line
A confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people.
0800 4 70 80 90 (24 hours per day)
Website: http://www.thesilverline.org.uk
Parenting
Family Lives (England and Wales)
Advice on all aspects of parenting, including dealing with bullying.
Phone: 0808 800 2222 (Mon-Fri, 9am-9pm and Sat-Sun, 10am-3pm)
Website: www.familylives.org.uk
Parenting NI
Advice to parents in Northern Ireland on all aspects of parenting.
Phone: 0808 8010 722 (Mon-Thurs 9.30am – 3.30pm, Fri 9.30am- 12.30pm)
Website: www.parentingni.org
Parentline Scotland
For any parent or carer in Scotland who needs information or someone to talk to.
Phone: 0800 028 22 33 (Mon-Sun 9am – 9pm)
Website: www.children1st.org.uk
Parkinson’s Disease
Parkinson’s UK
Information and support for anyone with Parkinson’s and their families and carers:
Phone: 0808 800 0303
Website: www.parkinsons.org.uk
Post-natal depression
House of Light – PND support
Support and information to women affected by Post Natal Depression and their families.
Phone: 0800 043 2031 (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm)
Website: houseoflight.org.uk/
Association for Post Natal Illness – APNI
Support for post-natal depression.
Phone: 0207 386 0868 (Mon-Fri 10am – 2pm)
Website: www.apni.org
Relationships and Sex
National Sexual Health Helpline
Confidential information on sexual health. Helpline run by Public Health England
Phone: 0300 123 7123 (Mon-Fri 9am-8pm)
Relate
The UK’s largest provider of relationship support.
Website: www.relate.org.uk
Service personnel & Families
Combat Stress
Mental health helpline for serving and ex-service men and women with PTSD, depression and anxiety disorders. Phone: 0800 138 1619 (For veterans – 24 hours) Phone: 0800 323 4444 (For serving personnel and their families – 24 hours) Website: combatstress.org.uk
Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association – SSAFA
Support to anyone serving in the Armed Forces including financial assistance, emotional support and a confidential helpline.
Phone: 0800 260 6767 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Website: www.ssafa.org.uk
The Royal British Legion
Support to anyone who has served or are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants.
Phone: 0808 802 8080 (8am-8pm)
Website: www.britishlegion.org.uk
Veterans Gateway
Putting veterans and their families in touch with organisations offering information, advice and support.
Phone: 0808 802 12 12 (24 hours)
Website: www.veteransgateway.org.uk
Veterans-UK
Welfare, support and specialist programmes for anyone who has served in the Armed Forces.
Phone: 0808 1914 2 18 (Mon-Fri 8am-4pm)
Website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/veterans-uk
Smoking
Help me Quit Helpline (Wales)
Support to quit smoking
Phone: 0808 250 4024
Website: helpmequit.wales
National Smokefree Helpline (England)
Support and advice when you’re trying to stop smoking
Phone: 0300 123 1044 (Mon-Fri 9am-8m, Sat-Sun 11am-4pm)
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/smokefree/help-and-advice/support
Quit Your Way Scotland
Support to quit smoking from NHS Scotland, including when you’re feeling tempted.
Phone: 0800 84 84 84 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm)
Website: https://www.nhsinform.scot/care-support-and-rights/nhs-services/helplines/quit-your-way-scotland
War in Ukraine
Ukrainian Support Helpline
Barnardo’s have set up the Ukrainian Support Helpline to provide a holistic support service. The helpline is available to anyone fleeing the conflict in Ukraine.
Phone: 0800 148 8586 (Mon-Fri 10am-8pm / Sat 10am-3pm)
Website: https://www.barnardos.org.uk
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