Urgent help
On this page, you can find services offering free mental health support.
Urgent mental health support
If you or someone you know needs help right now, please try to speak to a trusted adult. Alternatively, the organisations below offer support and some are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please check each organisation’s website for the most up-to-date information on opening times, locations and confidentiality.
They may collect identifiable or anonymised data about your use of their service - details will be available in their privacy or terms of service information.
NHS 111 (England) / NHS 24 (Scotland)
Call: 111
NHS 111/NHS 24 provides advice for health concerns that aren’t immediate emergencies. They can offer self-care guidance, connect you to healthcare professionals, book appointments or send an ambulance if needed. The service is available 24/7 and is free to call.
You should always call 999 when it is an emergency, such as when a crime is happening, when there is a danger to life or when violence is being used or threatened.
Emergency services
Call: 999
Call 999 if you’re worried that you or someone else is at immediate risk of serious harm. This is free and available across the UK, and should only be used in an emergency. You can also go to your nearest Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.
GP services
You can contact your GP for support. They can help you access urgent or out-of-hours care and connect you with the appropriate services, including local crisis teams.
Childline
Call: 0800 1111 | email | online chat
Childline supports anyone under 19 in the UK with any worry, big or small. Their trained counsellors are there to listen and help. The service is free, confidential and available any time, day or night.
Samaritans
Call: 116 123 | email | visit | write
Samaritans offers a safe place to talk in your own way about whatever is troubling you. They won’t tell you what to do - they will listen and try to understand. The service is free, confidential and available 24/7 for people of any age across the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Anna Freud Crisis Messenger
The Anna Freud Crisis Messenger is a free, confidential, 24/7 text service provided by Shout, for anyone feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope. Trained volunteers will listen and help you take the next steps towards feeling better.
Read more about the Anna Freud Crisis Messenger service.
The Mix
Call: 0808 808 4994 | email | online chat
The Mix supports young people under 25 across the UK with anything from mental health and money to housing, jobs, relationships and more. Their confidential helpline and webchat are free and open 11am–11pm, seven days a week.
HOPElineUK
Call: 0800 068 41 41 | text 07786 209697 | email
HOPELineUK offers confidential support and advice for young people under 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide, and for anyone concerned about a young person.
They are open 10am–10pm weekdays, 2pm–10pm weekends and Bank Holidays. Calls and emails are free - texts are charged at your usual rate.
SANEline
Call: 0300 304 7000
SANEline is a national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone over 16 affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
They are open every day, 4:30pm–10:30pm. Calls cost the same as calls to 01 or 02 numbers and are included in most mobile call packages.
Nightline
Nightline is a student-run listening service available at night during term time. Trained student volunteers offer confidential support by phone, email, instant message, text or in person.
Check the ‘Find your Nightline’ page to see if your university is covered.
C.A.L.L.
Call: 0800 132 737 | text 81066
C.A.L.L. is open 24/7 and offers emotional support and information about mental health to people living in Wales. Anyone can use the service, though young people under 16 are asked to get permission from a parent or carer before contacting them.
Switchboard
Call: 0300 330 0630 | online chat | email
Switchboard is a confidential LGBTQIA+ helpline offering support on anything you want to talk about. All volunteers self-define as LGBTQIA+ and the service is trans- and non-binary–friendly.
They are open 10am–10pm daily. Calls cost the same as calls to 01 or 02 numbers and are included in most mobile call packages.
Shelter
Call: 0808 800 4444 | online chat
Shelter supports people across the UK facing housing issues or homelessness. Their emergency helpline is for urgent cases where someone has nowhere safe to stay, is at risk of harm or is overwhelmed by their housing situation.
They are open Monday–Friday, 8am–6pm (excluding Bank Holidays). Their online housing advice is available year-round.
FRANK
Call: 0808 16 89 111 | text 82111 | online chat | email
FRANK offers friendly, confidential advice for anyone concerned about drugs, including alcohol and legal highs. The helpline is open 24/7, 365 days a year.
BEAT
Call:
0808 801 0677 (Helpline)
0808 801 0711 (Youthline)
0808 801 0811 (Studentline)
email (18+) | email (under 18) | email (students)
Beat supports young people experiencing eating disorders. The helplines are open 9am-8pm weekdays and 4pm-8pm weekends and Bank Holidays.
Victim Support
Call: 0800 123 6600 | online chat
Victim Support helps people feel safer and move forward after crime. The support offered is free, confidential and tailored to your needs. Their support line is open 24/7.
Police 101
Call: 101
101 is the non-emergency number for police in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Use it to report crimes that have already happened or concerns about suspicious behaviour. The line is available 24/7 and calls cost 15p per call, regardless of duration.