Useful helplines and websites
If you’re reading this in a tough moment, you deserve support right now.
These services can be helpful alongside psychotherapy. In some situations, medical help or multidisciplinary support may also be appropriate. This list is provided in no specific order and does not imply endorsement.
If you need urgent support now (UK)
Immediate danger
Call 999 (Emergency) — https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/urgent-and-emergency-care/when-to-call-999/
Go to A&E (Emergency Department) — https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/hospitals/when-to-go-to-ae/
Urgent health advice
NHS 111 — call 111 — https://111.nhs.uk/
Someone to talk to (24/7)
Samaritans — call 116 123 — https://www.samaritans.org/
Mental health support
Mind — https://www.mind.org.uk/
Rethink Mental Illness — https://www.rethink.org/
SANEline — https://www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/helpline
Practical help
Citizens Advice — https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Shelter (housing) — https://www.shelter.org.uk/
National Debtline — 0808 808 4000 — https://www.nationaldebtline.org/
Other useful helplines and websites (by topic)
Expand a section below to find support by topic.
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Anxiety UK — 03444 775 774 — https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
NHS: Low mood / sadness / depression (advice + when to seek help) — https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/low-mood-sadness-depression/
NHS: Anxiety, fear or panic (practical tips + when to get help) — https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/anxiety-fear-panic/
NHS Berkshire Talking Therapies (self-referral) — https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/talking-therapies
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Victim Support (24/7 Supportline) — 0808 1689 111 — https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/
Rape Crisis England & Wales — 24/7 Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line (16+) — 0808 500 2222 — https://rapecrisis.org.uk/get-help/want-to-talk/
The Survivors Trust (helpline) — 0808 801 0818 (text 07860 022 956) — https://thesurvivorstrust.org/our-helpline/
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge, 24/7) — 0808 2000 247 — https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
Men’s Advice Line (male victims of domestic abuse) — 0808 801 0327 — https://mensadviceline.org.uk/contact-us/
The Freedom Programme (domestic abuse education programme) — 01942 262 270 — https://www.freedomprogramme.co.uk/
Stop Hate UK (24-hour Stop Hate Line) — 0800 138 1625 — https://www.stophateuk.org/report-here/
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OCD Action (support + information for OCD) — 0300 636 5478 — https://ocdaction.org.uk/
(Helpline email: support@ocdaction.org.uk)
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Combat Stress (24/7 mental health helpline for veterans and families) — 0800 138 1619 — https://combatstress.org.uk/helpline
(Text 07537 173683 • Email helpline@combatstress.org.uk.)
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Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) – GB helpline — 0800 917 7650 — https://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/
Drinkaware (information + tools) — https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
FRANK (drug advice, 24/7) — 0300 123 6600 — https://talktofrank.com/contact-frank
Narcotics Anonymous (UK) – helpline — 0300 999 1212 — (meeting info + support) https://ukna.org/
Beat (eating disorders – helplines) — 0808 801 0677 — https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/get-information-and-support/get-help-for-myself/i-need-support-now/helplines/
Gamblers Anonymous (England, Wales & Ulster – information line) — 0330 094 0322 — https://gamblersanonymous.org.uk/contact-us/
WithYou (formerly Addaction) – free, confidential support — (webchat + find local service) https://www.wearewithyou.org.uk/
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Macmillan Cancer Support (Support Line) — 0808 808 00 00 — https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/macmillan-support-line
Child Death Helpline — 0800 282 986 — https://www.childdeathhelpline.org.uk/contact-us.html
Cruse Bereavement Support (helpline) — 0808 808 1677 — https://www.cruse.org.uk/
National AIDS Trust (general enquiries) — 020 7814 6767 — https://nat.org.uk/contact-us/
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Childline (under 19s, 24/7) — 0800 1111 — https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/contacting-childline/
NSPCC Helpline (adults worried about a child) — 0808 800 5000 — https://www.nspcc.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/
Family Lives (parenting & family support helpline) — 0808 800 2222 — https://www.familylives.org.uk/
YoungMinds Parents Helpline (parents/carers) — 0808 802 5544 — https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline/
Adoption UK (information & support line) — 0300 666 0006 — https://www.adoptionuk.org/get-help-now
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Child Autism UK (helpline) — 01344 882248 — https://www.childautism.org.uk/for-families/autism-helpline/
PDA Society (Pathological Demand Avoidance) — 0333 002 0781 — https://www.pdasociety.org.uk/
National Autistic Society (Autism Helpline) — 0808 800 4104 — https://www.autism.org.uk/contact-us
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Age UK (Advice Line: information & advice for older people) — 0800 678 1602 — https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/information-advice/
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Solace (mental health & wellbeing support for refugees and asylum seekers — Yorkshire & Humber) — 0113 824 6796 — https://www.solace-uk.org.uk/
(Email: info@solace-uk.org.uk)
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Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) factsheets (Neurosymptoms.org) — https://neurosymptoms.org/en/factsheets/
mentalhealthcare.org.uk (plain-English mental health info + signposting) — https://www.mentalhealthcare.org.uk/
BBC Action Line (directory of support organisations; see “More Support”) — https://www.bbc.co.uk/actionline
If what you need is not urgent, and reading this makes you think therapy may be useful, you’re welcome to book a complimentary 20-minute consultation.
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