Support & Information Helplines

 

General support for when you’re struggling to cope:

 

• SHOUT - text SHOUT to 85258 (Free confidential support for anyone who is struggling to cope or in crisis, open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit giveusashout.org for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Samaritans – call 116 123 to talk to someone OR email jo@samaritants.org for a reply within 24 hours (Free and confidential helpline open 24/7 to listen to you and how you are feeling) Alternatively you can visit samaritans.org for additional resources, information and support.

 

• The MIX – call 0808 808 4994 OR text THEMIX to 85258 (Free confidential support for anyone under 25, providing support whatever the problem. Lines are open from 11am - 11pm everyday) Alternatively you can visit themix.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Childline – call 0800 1111 (Free confidential service for anyone under 19 for any problem such as abuse to bullying to relationships etc. Lines are open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit childline.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – call 0800 585858 (Free and confidential information and support for anyone struggling to cope, open 5pm - midnight every day) Alternatively you can visit thecalmzone.net for additional resources, information and support.

 

Specialised support:

 

Suicide prevention (You can also contact the above helplines if you are having thoughts around suicide):

 

• Papyrus HOPELINE247 – call 0800 068 41 41 OR text them on 88247 OR email pat@papyrus-uk.org (A free helpline which provides advice and support for young people who feel like they want to take their own life, lines are open from 24/7) Alternatively you can visit papyrus-uk.org for additional resources, information and support.

 

 

Specific mental health experiences:

 

• No Panic – call their helpline on 0300 772 9844 OR call their crisis line on 01952 680 835 (Provides support and information to young people experiencing panic attacks and OCD, helpline is open 10am – 10pm every day and their crisis line is open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit nopanic.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• BEAT – call 0808 801 0677 (A free helpline that offers support and information about eating disorders, open from 3pm – 8pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit beateatingdisorders.co.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Self-Injury Support – call 0808 800 8088 OR text 07537 432 444 (Support for people who self-harm or know someone who is self-harming, open 7pm – 10pm Monday to Thursday) Alternatively you can visit selfinjurysupport.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Drug and alcohol:

 

• FRANK – call 0300 123 6600 OR text 82111 (Confidential support, advice and information about drugs, their effects and the law, open 24/7). Alternatively you can visit talktofrank.com for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Alateen – call 0800 008 6811 (Support for young people who have relatives or friends that are alcoholics, open 10am – 10pm every day) Alternatively you can visit al-anonuk.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Bereavement:

 

• Child Bereavement UK – call 0800 028 8840 (Provides support for children, young people, parents and families after the death of someone close, open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit childbereavementuk.org for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Hope Again – call 0808 808 1677 (Support for young people coping with a death, open 9:30am – 3pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit hopeagain.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

 

Bullying:

 

• National Bullying Helpline – call 0300 323 0169 (Provides support for anyone experiencing bullying, open from 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit nationalbullyinghelpline.co.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Childline – call 0800 1111 (Confidential service for anyone under 19 for any problem such as abuse to bullying to relationships etc., call for free and lines are open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit childline.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

LGBTQ+: 

 

• Switchboard LGBT+ helpline - Call 0300 330 0630 (Providing support related to sexuality and gender identity for anyone at any point in their journey, open from 10 am - 10 pm every day) Alternatively you can visit switchboard.lgbt for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Mermaids UK – call 0808 801 0400 OR alternatively you can text MERMAIDS to SHOUTS number for crisis support - 85258 (Support for transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse people up to 20 years old, open 9am – 9pm Monday – Friday) Alternatively you can visit mermaidsuk.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

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• Galop – call 0800 999 5428 OR email help@galop.org.uk (For anyone 13 years old and above providing support for LGBT+ people who have/are experiencing abuse or violence, this can include hate crimes, domestic violence, sexual violence, conversion therapy or any other type of abuse. It is open 10am - 8pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 4pm on Fridays) Alternatively you can visit galop.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Abuse (If you are in an emergency situation please call 999):

 

• Childline – call 0800 1111 (Confidential service for anyone under 19 for any problem such as abuse to bullying to relationships etc., call for free and lines are open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit childline.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Refuge – call 0808 200 0247 (Free support for women, children or young people who have or are experiencing domestic abuse, open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit refuge.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Galop – call 0800 999 5428 OR email help@galop.org.uk (For anyone 13 years old and above providing support for LGBT+ people who have/are experiencing abuse or violence, this can include hate crimes, domestic violence, sexual violence, conversion therapy or any other type of abuse. It is open 10am - 8pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 4pm on Fridays) Alternatively you can visit galop.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Affected by crime: 

 

• Victim Support – call 0808 168 9111 (Support, information and advice for young people affected by crime and traumatic events, open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit victimsupport.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Call Hate Out – call 0808 801 0576 (Confidential for under 18s who have experienced or witnessed a hate crime, open 24/7) Alternatively you can visit stophateuk.org for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Safeline National Male Survivor Helpline – call 0808 800 5005 OR text 07860 065187 (Provides support for men and boys, including anyone who identifies as male, who have been affected by sexual assault, open from 9am – 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 2pm Saturday and Sunday) Alternatively you can visit safeline.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Survivors Network – call 01273 720 110 OR email help@survivorsnetwork.org.uk (Provides emotional support for anyone 14+ years old who have experienced sexual violence, abuse and/or harassment, open from 7pm - 9pm on Monday and 12pm – 1.30pm on Wednesday) Alternatively you can visit survivorsnetwork.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Learning disability:

 

• Mencap – call 0808 808 1111 (Provides information and advice for people with a learning disability, their families and carers, open 10am - 3pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit mencap.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Looked after young person:

 

• Become – call 0800 023 2033 (Provides information and support for young people in care and young care leavers, open 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit becomecharity.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Coram Voice – call 0808 800 5792 OR text 07758 670369 OR email help@coramvioce.org.uk (Provides information, support and advocacy for young people in care or who are care leavers, open from 9.30am – 6pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit coramvoice.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Living situation:

 

• Centrepoint – call 0808 800 0661 (Provides support and advice for people aged 16 – 25 who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit centrepoint.org.uk for additional resources, information and support. 

 

• Runaway helpline – call OR text 116 000 (Free and confidential support and advice for people who have ran away, plan on running away, are returning after running away or are worried about someone else running away, open 9am – 11pm 7 days a week) Alternatively you can visit runawayhelpline.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Legal rights and advocacy support:

 

• Voice Ability – call 0300 303 1660 (Provides a range of advocacy services around health, care and wellbeing, open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit voiceability.org for additional resources, information and support.

 

• POhWER – call 0300 456 2370 (Provides support and advocacy for young people who are receiving treatment in a CAMHS [Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services] inpatient unit to make sure their voices are heard, open from 8am – 6pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit pohwer.net for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Citizens Advice – call 0800 144 8848 (Provides information and advice about your rights on topics such as housing, money and discrimination, open 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit citizensadvice.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

Other:

 

·      National Deaf Children’s Society - call 0808 800 8880 OR text 0786 00 22 888 OR use SignVideo for a call with a BSL interpreter. (Support and advice around topics relating to childhood deafness, open 9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am – 12.30pm on Fridays) Alternatively you can visit ndcs.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Muslim Youth Helpline – call 0808 808 2008 (Provides faith and culturally sensitive support to young Muslims, open 4pm – 10pm 7 days a week) Alternatively you can visit myh.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

• Muslim Community Helpline – call 0208 908 6715 OR 0208 904 8193 (Provides emotional and culturally sensitive support for Muslims, open 10am – 1pm Monday to Friday) Alternatively you can visit muslimcommunityhelpline.org.uk for additional resources, information and support.

 

 

Other helpful websites

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General mental health information, support & advice

 

• Hub Of Hope - hubofhope.co.uk (A mental health service search tool to find local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support. You can filter results to find specific kinds of support).

 

• Young Minds – youngminds.org.uk (Support and information for young people affected including information on mental health problems, medication, coping strategies and more)

 

• Mind – mind.org.uk (Support and information around mental including different symptoms, medication, information around CAMHS, crisis skills and more)

 

• Kooth – kooth.com(Online support and advice for young people around mental health, includes a range of resources, blogs written by young people around their own experiences, discussion boards and more). 

 

• Rethink Mental Illness – rethink.org (Support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including local support groups)

 

• NHS Every Mind Matters – nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/ (Advice and information on mental health and wellbeing, including coping strategies, information on improving sleep and self-care, advice on social media and more)

 

 

Specialised information, support & advice:

 

Specific mental health experiences:

 

• Anxiety UK - anxietyuk.org.uk (Support, advice and information about anxiety)

 

• OCD Youth – ocdyouth.org (Support, advice and Information for young people struggling with symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Includes online resources, an email helpline, support group, online network and discussion group).

 

• Hearing Voices Network – hearing-voices.org (Support, advice and Information for young people struggling with experiences of hearing, seeing or sense things that others do not)

 

• Bipolar UK - bipolaruk.org (Support and information for anyone affected by bipolar disorder, including latest research, support tips, local support groups, their own mood tracking app and an online peer support community)

 

• National Paranoia Network – nationalparanoianetwork.org (Information and support for people who experience paranoid thoughts)

 

• The Ollie Foundation - theolliefoundation.org (Support, advice and Information for young people struggling with thoughts of suicide and how to get help)

 

• PTSD UK - ptsduk.org (Support, advice and information about PTSD and C-PTSD including coping strategies for dealing with symptoms and a blog with people’s lived experiences)

 

• Trauma Research UK - traumaresearchuk.org (Support, advice and information about trauma including grounding techniques, self-help resources, a blog and more)

 

• One in Four – oneinfour.org.uk (Provide support for people who have experienced sexual violence, domestic violence and abuse during childhood, includes counselling services, workshops and more)

 

BAME & POC:

 

• Bayo - bayo.uk (Information and resources for members of the black community, includes a directory to find other support services run by and for the black community)

 

• BAATN (The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network) – baatn.org.uk (A directory of therapists from Black, African and Asian backgrounds and also includes a number of resources such as videos, podcasts and links to other helpful wellbeing support)

 

 

• Black Minds Matter UK – blackmindsmatteruk.com (Provides free 1-1 therapy for black people and also has a number of helpful resources)

 

• Inside Out Wellbeing – insideoutwellbeing.org (Provides culturally informed talks, workshops and sessions that provide psychology-based life skills to improve wellbeing)

 

 

• Spark and Co – sparkandco.co.uk (A directory of services for people of colour and marginalised communities)

 

LGBTQ+:

 

• Being Gay is Ok – bgiok.org.uk (Support, advice and Information for LGBTQ+ people including information around coming out, relationships, mental health and bullying) 

 

• The Proud Trust – theproudtrust.org (Support, advice and Information for LGBTQ+ young people, includes information around coming out and identity as well as support groups)

 

• Stonewall - stonewall.org.uk (Support, advice and Information for LGBTQ+ people, includes information around coming out, hate crimes and campaigning)

 

Grief:

 

• Talk Grief – talkgrief.org (Information, support & advice for young people are experiencing grief)

 

Young carers:

 

• Carers Trust - carers.org (Information, support & advice for unpaid carers, includes support groups for young people, support and information around finances and financial grants and a range of other resources)

 

• Children’s Society Young Carers – childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/young-carers (Information, support & advice for young carers, includes information and advice around mental health, finances, education and links to other support in your local area)

 

Other:

 

• Barnardo’s – barnardos.org.uk (Support, advice on a wide range of topics for young people, includes support for young people preparing to and leaving care, advice around mental health, supporting young people at risk of homelessness, support for young carers and more)

 

• Our time – ourtime.org.uk (Information, support & advice for young people who have a parent/carer who struggle with their mental health)

 

• Rights4children - rights4children.org.uk (Information & advice for young people to understand their legal rights)

 

• Brook – brook.org.uk (Information for young people around sexual health and wellbeing)

 

• CQC (complaint about mental health services) - cqc.org.uk/contact-us/how-complain/complain-about-hospital-community-or-mental-health-service (Explains how to put in a complaint about mental health services and the different ways to do this)