If you are feeling overwhelmed, like you might hurt yourself or someone else, or are feeling suicidal, do talk to someone straightaway.

There are a range of organisations and helplines to support you.

Do reach out – you are not alone.

Urgent support

If you or someone you care about is at imminent risk of harm, please call any or all of :

• NHS 111 (In Wales you can ‘dial 111, press 2’ to be transferred to a dedicated member of a mental health team in your local health board area).
• One of the crisis lines below.
• Emergency Services on 999 or go straight to your nearest A & E.

If you are waiting for help, feeling ‘out of control ‘ or overwhelmed, MIND also has some strategies to help you cope and feel calmer here. 

Crisis & support lines

SHOUT: Text SHOUT to 85258

SHOUT provides free, 24/7 text support for people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with texts free from most mobile providers. Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.

Samaritans: Phone 116 123

The Samaritans provide free 24 hour confidential support to anyone in emotional distress.  Whatever you’re going through, you can call any time, from any phone for free. If it’s easier to write things down, you can also email your thoughts to but be aware it may take several days to get a response by email.

Calm (Campaign Against Living Miserably): Phone 0800 58 58 58 or webchat.

Calm Free helpline and livechat are open from 5pm to midnight every day for anyone over the age of 15. 

The Silver Line Helpline. Call free on 0800 470 80 90.

Silverline is run by Age UK is a free, confidential telephone service for anyone aged 55 or over experiencing loneliness or isolation.  

Childline: Phone 0800 11 11 11

Childline is a Free 24 hour confidential telephone and online support for anyone under 19 years. 

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. 0800 689 5652

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – a compassionate and understanding lifeline for those grappling with their mental well-being or thoughts of suicide. 

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide. 0800 068 4141

Papyrus is. aUK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. 

NHS Helplines

England – NHS Urgent Mental Health Helpline Search. Find an urgent mental health helpline local to you.

Wales – NHS 111, press 2. For urgent mental health support call NHS 111 and press OPTION 2. The number is free to call from a landline or mobile, even if you have no credit left.

Scotland – NHS 111.  Call NHS 11 and choose the mental health option to be connected to the Mental Health Hub to speak to a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner.

Northern Ireland – Lifeline. Northern Ireland’s crisis response helpline. Call: 0808 808 8000. Textphone: 18001 0808 808 8000.