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Mental health support services and emergency help

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Please be aware that MHFA England is not a mental health support service and is unable to give emergency support, but there are lots of organisations that can.

Emergency help

  • If you feel like harming or hurting yourself or others, call 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E)
  • If you need medical help but it’s not an emergency, call 111. This is a free NHS service where they will be able to direct you to your local crisis support services, and offer health advice 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Helplines for everyone

If you’re in crisis and need to talk, the organisations below provide free helplines. You can also call these helplines for advice if you’re worried about someone else.

Samaritans
Samaritans provide emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide.

Telephone: 116 123
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/


SANEline
SANEline is a national out-of-hours helpline offering emotional support, guidance, and information to anyone affected by mental illness.

Telephone: 0300 304 7000
Opening times: 4.30pm – 10pm, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.sane.org.uk/


Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
CALM runs a free, confidential, and anonymous helpline as well as a web chat service, offering help, advice, and information to anyone who is struggling or in crisis.

Telephone: 0800 58 58 58
Opening times: 5pm – midnight, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.thecalmzone.net/


National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
The National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK is a compassionate and understanding lifeline for those grappling with their mental wellbeing or thoughts of suicide.

Telephone: 0800 587 0800
Opening times: 6pm – midnight, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.spuk.org.uk/

Helplines for young people

 ChildLine
Childline is a counselling service for children and young people aged up to 18 provided by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Child (NSPCC).

Telephone: 0800 11 11
Opening times: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.childline.org.uk/


Papyrus UK
Papyrus UK is a confidential support and advice service for anyone aged under 35 who is experiencing thoughts of suicide.

Telephone: 0800 068 41 41
Opening hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

Helplines for LGBTQIA+ people

 Switchboard
Switchboard is the national LGBTQIA+ support line and can discuss anything related to sexuality and gender identity. Phone operators all identify as LGBTIA+.

Telephone: 0800 0119 100
Opening times: 10am – 10pm, 7 days a week
Website: https://switchboard.lgbt/