Urgent Help and Advice

Get Help

If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, the organisations and services below can provide you with help and advice.

In a medical emergency

Please phone the Emergency Services number on 999.

Samaritans provides confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day. The Samaritans can be called on 116 123. You can also contact your local Samaritans branch if you'd like to talk to someone in your region.
Anxiety UK helpline on 03444 775 774, open Mon-Fri 09:30-22:00 and Sat-Sun 10:00-20:00
OCD-UK helpline on 03333 127 890, open 10am-4:45pm Mon-Fri
Beat helpline for eating disorders is on 08088010677 (12-8pm Mon-Fri & 4-8pm Sat & Sun)
Supportline for emotional support on 01708765200 or [email protected]

Visiting your local GP is the best source of information if you need non-urgent help with a mental health problem.

If you can't reach a GP during normal working hours (9am-5pm, Monday – Friday), or are unable to access your GP, ring NHS direct on 111 for medical advice.
You can also visit your nearest A&E department.

YoungMinds Parents Helpline offers free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.
The helpline is open from 9:30am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday. You can also call them on 0808 802 5544.

Childline offers help and support to children and teenagers. If you ring, you will be put through to a counsellor who can offer you free, confidential advice and information. The Childline helpline can be called on 0800 1111.

SANE runs a national, out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. The helpline is open every day of the year from 6pm to 11pm. The helpline can be reached on 0300 304 7000.
Mind offers advice, legal information, and support across a range of mental health conditions. The line is open from 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday (except for bank holidays). The infoline can be reached on 0300 123 3393. You can also text Mind at 86463.
Rethink Mental Illness offers practical advice and support to those experiencing severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, and to their carers and relatives. The Rethink Advice Line can be reached on 0300 5000 927.

Side by side is a community support forum hosted by the charity Mind, where individuals can talk about any aspect of their mental health.
The Mix is an open forum for under-25s to discuss mental health and other topics.
Bipolar UK community is a support forum for everyone affected by bipolar disorder.

The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or [email protected] , NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Health, also provides support services through regional chapters around the country.
National Domestic Violence Hotline – Call 800-799-SAFE (7233)
Trained expert advocates are available 24/7 to provide confidential support to anyone experiencing domestic violence or seeking resources and information. Help is available in Spanish and other languages.
National Sexual Assault Hotline – Call 800-656-HOPE (4673)
Connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area that offers access to a range of free services provided by RAINN, a national support network. Crisis chat support is available 24/7. You can also visit online.rainn.org to receive support via confidential online chat.

Talk with your doctor – S/he can be your best source of information if you need non-urgent help with a mental health problem.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): For general information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call the SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA also has a Behavioral Health Treatment Locator on its website that can be searched by location.
Visit NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Health, to learn about support networks in your area. https://www.nami.org. NAMI provides confidential, nonjudgmental support to individuals and families. The NAMI HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. ET. 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or [email protected]
Visit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention to find a counselor or support if you are worried about yourself or others. www.afsp.org
Visit The Jed Foundation www.jedfoundation.org for resources for students and young people. The Jed Foundation’s Mental Health Resource Center provides essential information about common emotional health issues and shows teens and young adults how they can support one another, overcome challenges and make a successful transition to adulthood.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): For general information on mental health and to locate treatment services in your area, call the SAMHSA Treatment Referral Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). SAMHSA also has a Behavioral Health Treatment Locator on its website that can be searched by location.
Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA): HRSA works to improve access to health care. The HRSA website has information on finding affordable health care, including health centers that offer care on a sliding fee scale.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS): CMS has information on its website about benefits and eligibility for mental health programs and how to enroll.
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) MedlinePlus: NLM’s website has directories and lists of organizations that can help in identifying a health practitioner.
Mental Health and Addiction Insurance Help: This website from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers resources to answer questions about insurance coverage for mental health care.
For a great central resource, visit the National Institute of Mental Health at https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml.

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