Mental Health Crisis Helplines

We have collated a list of useful links to organisations that provide support to anyone experiencing poor mental health, which can be navigated by clicking on the red, bold title of each resource. There are many listening services to call if you need to talk to someone about how you're feeling. Whatever you need to say will be heard in a non-judgemental environment and you will be able to talk for as long as you need to.

  • Samaritans is a helpline to talk about anything that is upsetting you, open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0300 123 3011 (7pm–11pm every day).
  • SANEline: If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
  • The Mix provides essential support for under 25’s, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (Sunday-Friday 2pm–11pm), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.
  • Papyrus HOPELINEUK: If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): If you identify as male, you can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) or use their webchat service.
  • Nightline: If you’re a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
  • Switchboard: If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
  • C.A.L.L.: If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text ‘help’ followed by a question to 81066.

Alternative Mental Health Crisis Support

  • Mind offers a range of different resources to support you in a time of crisis- if you don’t want to talk to someone you can explore Mind’s toolkit of alternative ideas.
  • SHOUT is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. Text Shout to 85258.
  • Recovery Cafes are in different areas of the country offering free, safe, inclusive and welcoming spaces for people who are struggling to cope with their mental health during the evening and weekends when other services may be closed. Google ‘Recovery Cafe London’ (or other location) to find your nearest recovery cafe.
  • Staying Safe offers support on how to make a Safety Plan for anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or supporting someone else. It’s designed to offer hope, compassion and practical ideas on how to find your own way forward.
  • Jamie Crabb’s support resources: Jamie Crabb is a D&A mentor and north London based Psychotherapist. He has compiled a fantastic list of mental health-related resources that can be filtered by category.
  • Cerebration has developed some great mental health resources for young people. The resources were created by Cerebration’s founder Jamie Brett, who is also one of D&A’s Diversity and Inclusion consultants and workshop facilitators.

Mental health service directories

  • Hub of Hope is a national mental health database which brings together organisations and charities, large and small, from across the country who offer mental health advice and support, together in one place. Can be accessed via the website or download the app.
  • Helplines Partnership is a directory of UK helplines.
  • Mind’s Infoline can also help you find services that can support you.
  • Befrienders Worldwide can help you find support if you’re outside the UK. The Befrienders Worldwide website has a tool to search by country for emotional support helplines around the world.
  • Spokz People have a list of private therapists who are disability affirmative, which means they have disability-related knowledge and experience, and some of them have lived experience of disablement.

Low-cost & free therapy

  • Free Psychotherapy Network is a group of psychotherapists offering free psychotherapy to people on low incomes. The network is committed to a broad movement of activism, pressing for social justice and community values. The network recommends alternative low-cost services here.
  • Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) NHS programme for adult anxiety disorders and depression in England. You do not need to be referred via your GP and can access via the website self-referral.
  • Living Life to the Full provides free online courses covering low mood, stress and resiliency. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, get going again, feel happier, stay calm, tackle upsetting thinking and more. Our courses are free for individuals using them in their own lives.