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Why these numbers are so important, regardless of your mental health.

Whether you are in peak health, have been struggling with severe mental health difficulties or find yourself somewhere in between, this article is for you and it might just help to save someone’s life. In this article I am wanting to highlight some of the most important numbers, websites, and online chat services aimed at helping people with their mental health. Some are for emergency situations, but the majority are there to help out when life gets difficult and you’re not sure where to turn.

What you must keep in mind is that you may not need to use this information, but I can guarantee that you need to know this information. One of the most important reasons for having easy access to these facilities is because if you find yourself in an emergency mental health situation, such as dealing with someone who is suicidal, then having quick access to these numbers might save their life. As well as this, the last two years have taught us that anything can happen.  Mental health problems are bought on by hundreds of different reasons; having this knowledge might just lend you a helping hand one day.

Please note this article is targeted at those living in the United Kingdom.

This information was last updated on 01/04/2022 and is to the best of our knowledge accurate.

Emergency Numbers

In an emergency situation always call 999

Urgent NHS mental health helpline. England only:

https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline

Mental Health problems are often unique and effect us all in different ways. They differ in scale of severity, length of time, side effects and so many other factors. Nevertheless, something which most people find they have in common is that the events leading from a stable mental health condition to an emergency mental health crisis often involves a spiral in which negative and destructive thoughts are allowed to escalate and get completely out of control. If we can stop this from happening by intervening and preventing this destructive spiral, we may just be able to save someone from a fatal situation. But how can we do this? 

Well, fortunately there are professional organisations who are trained to deal with these situations. Sometimes, all someone needs is a friendly, non-judgemental voice to talk to. Other times more specialist care and treatment will be needed. Whatever the case, having a professional contact is so important for someone struggling with their mental health. Some of these services offer support for a broad range of issues and some are targeted towards more specific issues or groups. As I said before, you may never need to use these numbers (and I hope you don’t have to) but you may have to pass them on to someone who does. Either way, taking a moment to familiarise yourself with these organisations and how to contact them is the first step in being able to help someone out (including yourself). Save these numbers to your contact list, save the link to this article in your notes, print the page and stick it on your fridge, share it with your family and friends. Do what you can to ensure this information is out there.

Samaritans

https://www.samaritans.org 

“Whatever you’re going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. We’re here 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.”

Call: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org 

Call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day)

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK 

https://www.spbristol.org/NSPHUK

“National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK is a helpline offering a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide.”

Call: 0800 689 5652 

 …

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

https://www.thecalmzone.net

“We’re Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) and we’re united against suicide. That means standing against feeling sh*t, standing up to stereotypes, and standing together to show life is always worth living. Stand with us. Join the campaign and help us make sure everyone gets the support they need, no matter what.”

Call: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day)

CALM webchat service

The Mix

https://www.themix.org.uk

“Whether you’re 13, 25, or any age in between, we’re here to take on the embarrassing problems, weird questions, and please-don’t-make-me-say-it-out-loud thoughts you have. We give you the information and support you need to deal with it all. Because you can. Because you’re awesome. We’ll connect you to experts and your peers who’ll give you the support and tools you need to take on any challenge you’re facing – for everything from homelessness to finding a job, from money to mental health, from break-ups to drugs.”

Call: 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day)

1-2-1 Chat 

Crisis text messenger service

Papyrus HOPELINEUK 

https://www.papyrus-uk.org/papyrus-hopelineuk/ 

“HOPELINEUK advisers want to work with you to understand why thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else’s ability to stay safe. If you are concerned that a young person is feeling suicidal, advisers can support you to start a conversation about suicide and explore options of how best to support them.”

Call: 0800 068 4141 (9am – midnight, everyday)

Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org 

Text: 07860039967

Childline

https://www.childline.org.uk

“Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. You can talk about anything. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.”

Call: 0800 1111

Email

1-2-1 Counsellor Chat

Nightline 

https://nightline.ac.uk

“Our mission is to raise the quality, profile, availability, and accessibility of Nightline services so that every student is aware of, and has access to, confidential emotional peer support, as well as the opportunity to volunteer for a Nightline. Our vision is for every student in higher education to have access to the support offered by volunteer-led Nightline services.”

Switchboard

https://switchboard.lgbt

“We are Switchboard, the LGBT+ Helpline. We are a safe space for anyone to discuss anything, including sexuality, gender identity, sexual health and emotional well-being.We support people to explore the right options for themselves.We aspire to a society where all LGBT+ people are informed and empowered.”

Call: 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day)

Email: chris@switchboard.lgbt

Use their webchat service

Breathing Space

https://breathingspace.scot

“We are a free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. We are here in times of difficulty to provide a safe and supportive space by listening, offering advice and providing information.”

Call: 0800 83 85 87

(Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am. Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am)

C.A.L.L. 

https://callhelpline.org.uk/Default.asp

Mental Health Helpline for Wales.
“The service provided by CALL falls into two parts. Initially the caller is offered emotional support through listening and allowing them to express their feelings regarding any crisis or situation. We also provide an information service whereby from the database we can provide contacts for agencies, both statutory and voluntary, local to the caller. Free literature is also provided on a range of symptoms, mental health problems and the services provided by particular agencies.” 

Call: 0800 132 737 (open 24/7)

Text: ‘help’ to 81066

Loneliness

If you or someone you know is suffering from loneliness, use the following links to get support and help.

https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-with-loneliness

https://www.supportline.org.uk/problems/loneliness/

https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/feelings-symptoms-behaviours/feelings-and-symptoms/feeling-lonely/

Thank you for taking the time to familiarise yourself with these services.
Click here to get in touch with any questions or thoughts.
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