Mental Health Information
If you or someone you know is experiencing poor mental health, you don’t have to suffer alone. We’ve made a list of places you can go to for support:
Emergency Services
If you or someone you know is seriously ill or injured and their life is at risk, call 999.
NHS
Mental health services are free on the NHS, but in some cases you'll need a referral from your GP to access them.
If you go to your GP, they will assess your needs and offer advice or treatment.
They can also refer you to a therapy service or a specialist mental health service for further advice or treatment.
These services may be provided by your GP surgery, a large local health centre, a specialist mental health clinic or a hospital.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Office hours: 5PM til Midnight, 7 days a week
CALM, or ‘Campaign Against Living Miserably’, offer a 7-day-a-week service to talk to people who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or have experienced the loss of a loved one. They’re open from 5PM onwards and close at midnight. They offer a free and confidential helpline and also work closely with the ‘Support After Suicide Partnership’ (see below) for those bereaved.
Tel: 0800 58 58 58
www.thecalmzone.net
Papyrus
Office hours: 9 AM til Midnight, 7 days a week
Via their HOPElineUK phone number, Papyrus offer support for people under 35 who are experiencing suicidal thoughts or worried about another person. They offer a confidential support and advice service, and seek to create a safe space for those needing to talk.
Tel: 0800 068 41 41
Shout
Office hours: 24/7
Shout is a text-message service that seeks to support people with their mental health. Users can text ‘SHOUT’ to a dedicated number, and the service aims to connect them to a trained Shout Volunteer within five minutes. Users and their Shout Volunteer can then communicate via text messages using Shout’s secure platform. They are happy to discuss any issues around mental health and wellbeing, and are available day and night.
Tel: 85258
Switchboard
Office Hours: 10AM-10PM, 7 days a week
Switchboard offer a completely confidential helpline, with a promise that ‘they won’t end the call til you’re ready to’. They’re available to talk through any issues relating to gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender experiences. They offer advice as well as support services (such as listening, and hearing out any feelings you may need to get off your chest). They also offer a chat function on their website that runs from 18:30 onwards.
Tel: 0300 330 0630
The Samaritans
Office hours: 24/7
The Samaritans are a free-to-call service available year-round, 24-hours a day, day or night. They’re happy to talk about any issue and provide an ear whenever it’s needed. They also accept emails for those who prefer this route, and you can expect a written response in about 24 hours. Some may also prefer to visit their website or download their dedicated app.
Tel: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
The Silver Line
Office hours: 24/7
The Silver Line is a free-call, completely confidential helpline for older people to discuss any problems they might have. This can be from financial worries to loneliness. They offer conversation and friendship, information and advice, and will even help and support older people who may be suffering abuse or neglect.
Tel: 0800 470 80 90
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS)
Office hours: 9am – 9pm, 7 days a week
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) offer a peer-to-peer support for people aged 18 and over, who have been bereaved or affected by suicide. SOBS help those bereaved by suicide to support each other, at the time of their loss and in the months and years that follow. The volunteers provide a safe, confidential environment in which bereaved people can share their experiences and feelings, giving support to each other. You can contact by phone, email, or find a local support group.
Tel: 0300 111 5065
Email: email.support@uksobs.org
Friends, Families and Travellers
Office hours: 10AM-4:30PM, Monday-Friday, except bank holidays
We offer support and advice on issues ranging from health to homelessness, education to benefits and discrimination to employment. If you’re having trouble linking in to NHS mental health services in your area, give us a call.
Tel: 01273 234 777
