Helplines

Emotional support

Samaritans

• Phone: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
• Email: jo@samaritans.org
• Website: samaritans.org
• For anyone struggling emotionally or having thoughts of suicide

SANEline

• Phone: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm-10:30pm daily)
• Website: sane.org.uk
• Emotional support for mental health

Shout

• Text: 85258 (free, 24/7)
• Website: giveusashout.org
• Text-based crisis support

Domestic abuse

National Domestic Abuse Helpline

• Phone: 0808 2000 247 (free, 24/7)
• Website: nationaldahelpline.org.uk
• Run by Refuge, for women experiencing domestic abuse
• Live chat: Monday-Friday 10am-10pm, weekends 10am-6pm

Men’s Advice Line

• Phone: 0808 801 0327 (Monday-Friday 10am-5pm)
• Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk
• Website: mensadviceline.org.uk
• For male victims of domestic abuse

National LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline

• Phone: 0800 999 5428 (Monday-Thursday 10am-8:30pm, Friday 10am-4:30pm)
• Email: help@galop.org.uk
• Website: galop.org.uk
• For LGBTQ+ people experiencing abuse

Karma Nirvana

• Phone: 0800 5999 247 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
• Website: karmanirvana.org.uk
• For victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage

Respect Phoneline

• Phone: 0808 802 4040 (Monday-Friday 9am-5pm)
• Website: respectphoneline.org.uk
• For people concerned about their own behaviour

Mental health

Mind Infoline

• Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm)
• Email: info@mind.org.uk
• Website: mind.org.uk
• Mental health information and signposting

NHS 111 Mental Health Crisis

• Phone: 111, then select option 2
• Available: 24/7
• For urgent mental health support

Anxiety UK

• Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:30pm)
• Website: anxietyuk.org.uk
• Support for anxiety disorders

Rethink Mental Illness

• Phone: 0808 801 0525 (Monday-Friday 9:30am-4pm)
• Website: rethink.org
• Advice and information about mental illness

Parents and families

Gingerbread

• Phone: 0808 802 0925 (Monday-Friday 10am-4pm)
• Website: gingerbread.org.uk
• Support for single parents

Family Lives

• Phone: 0808 800 2222 (Monday-Friday 9am-9pm, weekends 10am-3pm)
• Website: familylives.org.uk
• Parenting advice and family support

Fathers reaching out

• Website: bothparentsmatter.org
• Support for fathers around child contact issues

Children and young people

Childline

• Phone: 0800 1111 (free, 24/7)
• Website: childline.org.uk
• For children and young people to call about anything

The Mix

• Phone: 0808 808 4994 (4pm-11pm daily)
• Website: themix.org.uk
• Support for under-25s

Young Minds

• Text: YM to 85258
• Website: youngminds.org.uk
• Mental health support for young people
• Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday-Friday 9:30am-4pm)

Legal and practical help

National Centre for Domestic Violence

• Phone: 0800 970 2070 (24 hours)
• Website: ncdv.org.uk
• Free help applying for injunctions

Rights of Women

• Phone: 020 7251 6577 (various times – check website)
• Website: rightsofwomen.org.uk
• Legal advice for women

Citizens Advice

• Phone: 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales)
• Website: citizensadvice.org.uk
• General advice including benefits, housing, debt

Shelter

• Phone: 0808 800 4444 (8am-8pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends)
• Website: shelter.org.uk
• Housing advice and homelessness support

Financial support

National Debtline

• Phone: 0808 808 4000 (Monday-Friday 9am-8pm, Saturday 9:30am-1pm)
• Website: nationaldebtline.org
• Free debt advice

StepChange

• Phone: 0800 138 1111 (Monday-Friday 8am-8pm, Saturday 8am-4pm)
• Website: stepchange.org
• Free debt advice and management

Turn2us

• Website: turn2us.org.uk
• Benefits calculator and grants finder

Tips for calling helplines

Prepare if you can

• Have pen and paper ready
• Think about what you want to say (but you don’t need a script)
• Find a private place to call

What to expect

• You may need to wait to get through
• The person will listen without judgement
• They’ll ask questions to understand your situation
• They’ll give information and options
• They won’t tell you what to do – you make your own decisions

If you can’t get through

• Try again later (evenings can be busy)
• Try a different helpline
• Use email or live chat if available
• Call 999 if it’s an emergency

If it doesn’t feel right

• It’s okay to end the call
• You can try a different helpline
• Most conversations are helpful, but occasionally it’s not a good fit