Emotional support lines are known as ‘listening services.’ They are not counselling services, but they are staffed by trained listeners.
Sharing your problems can be helpful to manage your feelings. Often people on helplines will have their own experience of mental health issues.
Some emotional support lines to try are:
Samaritans
A charity that offers emotional support for people who are distressed. Local branches offer telephone support and sometimes face to face support. The Samaritans helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Phone: 116 123
Address: Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
ASSISTline
National helpline offering supportive listening service to anyone throughout the UK with thoughts of suicide or thoughts of self-harm. They are open 24/7 for those aged 18 or over.
Phone: 0800 689 5652
Website: www.spuk.org.uk/national-suicide-prevention-helpline-uk
PAPYRUS
Charity that offers emotional support to people under 35 who are suicidal. They can also support people who are concerned about someone under 35 who might be suicidal.
Phone: 0800 068 41 41
Text: 07786 209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
C.A.L.M. (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
CALM is leading a movement against suicide. They offer accredited confidential, anonymous and free support, information and signposting. The provide this to people anywhere in the UK through their helpline and webchat service.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58
Webchat: www.thecalmzone.net/help/webchat
Website: www.thecalmzone.net
Sane
Work with anyone affected by mental illness, including families, friends and carers. They provide a helpline and a free text-based support service called Textcare. And an online supportive forum community where anyone can share their experiences of mental health.
Phone: 0300 304 7000
Textcare: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/textcare
Support Forum: www.sane.org.uk/what_we_do/support/supportforum
Website: www.sane.org.uk
SupportLine
Support line offers confidential emotional support by telephone, email and post.
Phone: 01708 765200
Address: SupportLine, PO Box 2860, Romford, Essex RM7 1JA
Email: info@supportline.org.uk
Website: www.supportline.org.uk
The Mix
If you’re under 25 and need help but don’t know where to turn, call the Mix for free. They’ll explore your situation with you and find organisations that may be able to help you further.
Phone: 0808 808 4994
Crisis support: text THEMIX to 85258 for crisis support - www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/crisis-messenger
Email: www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/email-us
Phone Counselling: www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team/the-mix-counselling-service
Webchat: 1 to 1 chat service: www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team
Website: www.themix.org.uk
Mood Swings
Aimed at anyone affected by a mood disorder, including friends, families, and carers.
Phone: 0161 832 37 36
Email: info@moodswings.org.uk
Website: www.moodswings.org.uk