If you're in immediate danger or someone's life is at risk, this is it. Don't hesitate, don't second-guess yourself - if it's that serious, call them.

Call 999

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Look, sometimes things get really bad and you need help right now. This is the official NHS line where actual mental health professionals will listen and figure out what kind of support you need. They won't judge - they've heard it all before.

Call 111 select option 2

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The classic. They've been doing this for decades and they genuinely just want to listen. No agenda, no advice unless you want it, just a human being on the other end of the phone who gets that life can be really hard sometimes.

Call 116 123

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For anyone under 19 who needs to talk. Doesn't matter if it seems 'small' to adults - if it's big to you, it matters. They've heard everything and nothing will shock them.

Call 0800 1111

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If you're worried about a child - whether you're a parent, teacher, neighbor, or just someone who cares - these people know what they're talking about and can help you figure out what to do.

Call 0808 800 5000

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They get it. Addiction, mental health struggles, abuse - they have been supporting people through the tough stuff for years. It's not about judgment, it's about having someone in your corner.

Call 01708 765200

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Used to be called AddAction - they help with drugs, alcohol, and mental health. They are all over England and Scotland, so chances are there's someone near you who understands what you're going through.

Find local service via website

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They work with people dealing with addiction, mental health challenges, and learning disabilities. It's community-based, which means they really get the local picture and what support is actually available where you are.

Find local service via website

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Sometimes calling feels too much, right? This is the UK's only 24/7 text service for mental health crisis support. Just text them and they will connect you with someone who knows how to help over text.

Text SHOUT to 85258

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When you need actual information about mental health conditions, treatments, or your rights - these are the people to ask. They know their stuff and they are open during work hours when you can think clearly enough to ask practical questions.

Call 0300 123 3393

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For when you need someone who really understands mental illness - not just general emotional support, but someone who gets the specific challenges of living with mental health conditions. They are open in the evenings when things often feel hardest.

Call 0300 304 7000 (4pm-10pm daily)

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Practical stuff. Benefits, rights, care options - the boring but important things you need to know when dealing with mental illness. They're not a crisis line, they're more like having a knowledgeable friend who knows the system.

Call 0808 801 0525

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Mental health law is confusing and it affects real things like your job, benefits, and treatment options. These people actually understand the legal side and can help you figure out what your rights are.

Call 0300 466 6463

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Basically a search engine for mental health support near you. Put in your postcode and find out what's actually available locally - because sometimes you just need to know what options exist where you live.

Online search tool

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Whether you are dealing with bullying yourself or trying to help someone else, these people have the expertise and practical resources to help. They work with parents, schools, and young people to actually tackle the problem.

Online resources only

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Family life is complicated and sometimes it goes wrong. Whether it is bullying, parenting struggles, or relationship issues, they offer confidential support for families trying to figure it out.

Call 0808 800 2222

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The big name in eating disorder support in the UK. They have helplines for different countries within the UK, online support groups, and they really understand how complicated eating disorders can be.

England 0808 801 0677 Scotland: 0808 801 0432 Wales: 0808 801 0433 N. Ireland: 0808 801 0434

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Professional treatment center for eating disorders. They do therapy, training, and education. If you're looking for serious, specialized help with an eating disorder, this is the kind of place you want.

Online contact form

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Run by LGBTQIA+ people for LGBTQIA+ people. They understand the specific challenges and they're trained to provide calm, confidential support. Sometimes you just need to talk to someone who gets it.

Call 0300 330 0630

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The campaigning organization - they're about rights, policy, and making society better for LGBTQ+ people. They're not a crisis helpline, but they have good information and can point you in the right direction.

Online contact form

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Honest, direct suicide prevention charity. They are open evenings when things often feel worst, and they talk about suicide in a way that doesn't feel scary or clinical.

Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight daily)

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Specialists in supporting young people (under 35) with suicidal feelings, and the people who care about them. They are trained specifically in suicide prevention and they understand the unique pressures young people face.

Call 0800 068 4141; Text: 07860 039967; Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

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Suicide prevention helpline that focuses on emotional wellbeing alongside crisis support. They understand that preventing suicide is about more than just crisis intervention - it's about overall mental health.

0300 1020 505 (hours vary)

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A practical app for your phone with safety planning tools and coping strategies. When you're struggling with suicidal thoughts, having resources literally in your pocket can make a real difference.

Download app

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A listening service specifically for people having suicidal thoughts. They're open evenings and nights when suicidal feelings often peak, and they focus entirely on providing compassionate support during those dark moments.

0800 689 5652 (6pm-midnight daily)

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The main domestic abuse helpline in the UK. They're open 24/7 because abuse doesn't stick to business hours. They understand the complexity of abusive relationships and won't pressure you to leave before you're ready.

Call 0808 2000 247

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For when you're targeted because of who you are - your race, religion, sexuality, disability, or any other reason. They help with reporting but also just processing what happened to you.

Call 0800 138 1625

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They research and campaign around racial inequality, particularly in public services. If you're experiencing racism in healthcare, education, or other services, they understand the bigger picture.

Call 020 7428 1880

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A think tank focused on race equality. They produce research and resources that help understand racism and inequality. Less direct support, more about understanding the bigger picture and your rights.

Call 020 7377 9222

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Specialist support for anyone aged 16+ who has experienced sexual violence at any point in their life. They understand trauma, they understand why it takes time to process, and they'll go at your pace.

Call 0808 500 2222

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They coordinate lots of smaller local sexual abuse services across the country. If you need specialist local support or the main helplines don't feel right for you, they can help you find something that fits better.

Call 0808 801 0818

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When someone dies and the world expects you to 'move on' but you're still struggling, these people understand that grief doesn't follow a timeline. They offer counselling and support groups with people who actually get it.

Call 0808 808 1677

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Specialized support for children, young people, and families dealing with death. They understand that grief looks different at different ages and they know how to help families navigate this together.

Call 0808 802 0111

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The student mental health charity that understands university pressure, financial stress, and the specific challenges of student life. They know that student mental health isn't just about exams - it's about everything.

Online resources and peer support

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Government service that helps with workplace mental health issues, stress, and your employment rights when you have mental health conditions. Sometimes you need to know what your boss legally can and can't do.

0300 123 1100

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Money problems and mental health problems often go hand in hand. They get that financial stress isn't just about budgeting - it's about the shame, anxiety, and depression that debt can cause.

Online resources and tools

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Free debt advice that recognizes money problems affect your mental health too. They're not just about payment plans - they understand the emotional weight of financial struggle.

0800 138 1111

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Specifically for people dealing with panic attacks, phobias, and OCD. They understand that anxiety disorders aren't just 'being a bit worried' - they're real conditions that need real support.

Call 0300 772 9844

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National charity focused entirely on anxiety disorders. They provide information, support, and actual therapy services for people whose anxiety significantly impacts their daily life.

Call 03444 775 774

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For when pregnancy or new motherhood isn't the blissful experience everyone expects it to be. They campaign for better support and provide resources for women struggling with perinatal mental health.

Online resources

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Support for families affected by perinatal mental illness. They understand that mental health problems during pregnancy and after birth affect the whole family, not just the mother.

Call 0843 2898 401

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