Crisis Help: United Kingdom

If you’re in crisis right now, you’re not alone. Help is available immediately, free, and confidential.

⚠️ Content note: This page discusses suicide, abuse, self-harm, and violence. If this is overwhelming right now, you can just call the number below. You don’t have to read everything.

🚨 RIGHT NOW: Call This Number

Samaritans

Phone: 116 123 (free, 24/7)
Email: [email protected]
Website: samaritans.org
Hours: 24/7, 365 days a year
Cost: FREE
Languages: English, Welsh (0808 164 0123, 7pm-11pm daily)

What happens:

Free, confidential emotional support
Won’t judge. Won’t put pressure on you.
For anyone in distress or despair
Longest-running crisis service (founded 1953)

Shout (text support)

Text: SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7)
Cost: FREE

For when you can’t speak on the phone
Trained volunteers respond by text
For anyone in crisis: suicidal thoughts, anxiety, abuse, self-harm

Other Crisis Options (Choose What Works for You)

Mental Health Crisis

NHS 111 Mental Health Crisis Support: Call 111, then press option 2 (24/7)

England only
Urgent mental health support
Free, confidential
Launched 2024

Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)

Emotional support for any crisis

Suicidal Thoughts

Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7)

Suicide prevention and support
Confidential, non-judgmental

Papyrus HOPELINE247: 0800 068 4141 (24/7)

For people under 35 with suicidal feelings
Text: 88247
Email: [email protected]

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight daily)

Suicide prevention for anyone affected by suicide
For all genders, focus on men

Abuse or Violence

National Domestic Abuse Hotline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7)

Support for victims of domestic violence
Safety planning
Free, confidential
Non-judgmental

Sexual Assault:

Rape & Sexual Abuse Support Line (Rape Crisis England & Wales): 0808 500 2222 (24/7)
Survivors UK: 020 3322 1860

Youth Crisis (Under 35)

Papyrus HOPELINE247: 0800 068 4141 (24/7)

For under-35s with suicidal feelings
Confidential, trained support

LGBTQ+ Crisis

Samaritans: 116 123

Affirming support for LGBTQ+ people
Non-judgmental

Switchboard: 0800 0119 100 (10am-10pm daily)

LGBTQ+ information and support

Disability-Specific Crisis Support

Scope Helpline: 0808 800 3333 (Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm)

Free independent advice on disability issues
Confidential support for disabled people
Trained advisors

Mind Helpline: 0300 102 1234 (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm)

Mental health information and crisis support referrals
Trained advisors

National Autistic Society: 0808 800 4104 (Monday-Thursday 10am-4pm, Friday 9am-3pm)

Support for autistic people
Impartial, confidential advice

By Region

Scotland

Breathing Space: 0800 83 85 87 (Monday-Thursday 6pm-2am, Friday 6pm-Monday 6am)

Free phone and webchat
For people 16+

Wales

C.A.L.L.: 0800 132 737 (24/7)

Text: 81066 (text “help”)
Mental health crisis support
Bilingual (English/Welsh)

Northern Ireland

Lifeline: 0808 808 8000 (24/7)

Crisis response helpline
Emotional support

Emergency: Life-Threatening

Immediate life-threatening danger:

Call 999 for emergency
Call 112 (works from mobile with no credit)
Go to nearest A&E (emergency room)

What to Say When You Call

You don’t need perfect words. Just say:

“I’m in crisis”
“I’m thinking about suicide”
“I need to talk to someone”

Counselors are trained to help.

Accessibility & Contact Methods

For Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Text services: Shout (85258), C.A.L.L. (81066)
Video relay: Available on some services
Captions: Available on websites with videos
British Sign Language: Can arrange interpreters

For Blind/Low Vision

All services available by phone
Chat services available on websites

For Welsh Speakers

Samaritans Welsh: 0808 164 0123 (7pm-11pm daily)
C.A.L.L. bilingual service

Multiple Languages

Most major services offer language interpretation

After You Call

Crisis lines help you get through RIGHT NOW. After that:

Finding Ongoing Support

Contact your GP:

General Practitioner can refer to NHS mental health services
Ask about NHS mental health services in your area

Online resources:

Every Mind Matters: nhs.uk (mental health guidance)
BACP (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy): bacp.co.uk (find therapists)

Important Information

Cost

Most services listed are free. Cost and hours vary by service — check each one.

Confidentiality

These lines are confidential. Emergency services are contacted only in rare cases of immediate, serious risk.

Hours

Many services run 24/7, but several (e.g., CALM, Scope, Mind) have limited hours — check each listing.

You Can Call Multiple Times

Many people use crisis services multiple times. That’s normal.

You’re Not “Sick Enough” to Call

If you’re asking: “Am I bad enough to call?” → You are. Call.

Confirm each number with the service before calling; details can change.

In crisis right now? Call Samaritans on 116 123. Everything else can wait.

Cost, confidentiality, and hours vary by service — check each listing.

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