I Need Help
This page is not only for you. It is also for you if you are worried about somebody else: a mate, partner, child, parent, colleague, neighbour, or anyone who does not seem safe right now.
If someone is in immediate danger
If you or someone else might act on suicidal thoughts, has seriously hurt themselves, cannot stay safe, or is at immediate risk, do not wait for a charity helpline.
You can also go to A&E. In England, NHS 111 can connect people in a mental health crisis to support. If it is life-threatening, use 999.
You do not have to be “bad enough” to ask for help
If something feels wrong, that is enough. You can contact these services if you are feeling suicidal, anxious, numb, overwhelmed, angry, ashamed, frightened, lonely, or if you are worried about somebody else. You are not wasting anyone’s time.
- If you are supporting someone else, stay with them if it is safe to do so and remove obvious immediate dangers.
- Ask directly and calmly if they are thinking about suicide. Asking does not put the idea in someone’s head.
- Do not promise secrecy. If someone is at risk, get help from emergency services, NHS support, or a trusted adult.
24/7 support
These are useful when it is late, you cannot speak out loud, or you need someone right now.
Samaritans
116 123
For anyone who needs to talk. You do not have to be suicidal to call.
Good option when you need a human being to listen, day or night.
Contact SamaritansShout
Text SHOUT to 85258
Free text support for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
Useful if talking out loud is difficult or unsafe.
Visit ShoutNHS urgent mental health help
111
Use NHS urgent mental health support if you need expert advice and assessment but it is not immediately life-threatening.
For immediate danger, call 999 instead.
Find NHS urgent helpYoung people, teenagers and people worried about them
Mental health issues and suicidal thoughts can affect children and teenagers too. These services are set up for younger people, or for adults who are worried about a young person.
Childline
0800 1111
For children and young people under 19. You can talk about anything: mental health, home, school, abuse, bullying, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.
Calls are free and do not show up on most phone bills.
Contact ChildlinePAPYRUS HOPELINE247
0800 068 4141
For people under 35 having thoughts of suicide, and for anyone worried about a young person who may be suicidal.
You can also text 88247 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Contact PAPYRUSThe Mix
Support for under 25s
Free, confidential support for young people under 25 on mental health, relationships, money, housing, work, study and more.
They also signpost to text crisis support through Shout.
Visit The MixYoungMinds Parents Helpline
0808 802 5544
For parents and carers worried about a child or young person’s mental health.
Open weekdays with different closing times. If there is immediate danger, call 999.
Contact YoungMindsAdult mental health and suicide support
These services are useful when you need to talk through distress, suicidal thoughts, panic, depression, isolation, or when you need help finding the right next step.
CALM
0800 58 58 58
For anyone aged 18+ affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts. CALM also offers webchat during opening hours.
If it is outside CALM hours, try Samaritans, Shout, PAPYRUS if under 35, NHS urgent help, or 999 in an emergency.
Contact CALMMind Support Line
0300 102 1234
A safe space to talk about your mental health and find specialist support.
Open 9am–6pm Monday to Friday, except bank holidays. Not the right option for immediate danger.
Contact MindSANEline
0300 304 7000
Out-of-hours emotional support and information for anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
Normally open daily from 4pm to 10pm.
Contact SANElineHub of Hope
Find local help
A searchable directory for mental health support near you, including local charities, NHS services and community support.
Useful when you need something local or longer-term.
Search Hub of HopeSpecialist support
Sometimes the right help is more specific. These are not replacements for emergency support, but they can be the right door to knock on.
Beat Eating Disorders
0808 801 0677
Support for people affected by eating disorders, and for people worried about someone else.
Opening hours can change, so check Beat’s website before relying on the line being open.
Contact BeatSwitchboard LGBTQIA+ Support Line
0800 0119 100
For anyone who wants to talk about sexuality, gender identity, relationships, family, isolation or how they are feeling.
Open 10am–10pm every day. If you cannot stay safe, use emergency or crisis support.
Contact SwitchboardTell me if this page helped
If this page helped you find support, or helped you support somebody else, I would genuinely love to hear that. You do not need to share anything private. Just knowing it pointed someone in the right direction matters.