Helplines
If you need to speak with someone urgently, or if you are feeling very depressed or anxious, here are some numbers you can call for immediate help.
These are English-speaking helplines based in the UK and the US, but you can call them from anywhere in the world.
Samaritans – 116 123 (for anyone)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
A safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way, about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Calls are free.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (Calm) – 0800 58 58 58 (for men)
Hours: 5 pm to midnight every day
Callers can talk through any issue, listen and offer information and signposting. Services are confidential and anonymous, calls won’t show up on your phone bill. Calls are free.
The Silver Line – 0800 4 70 80 90 – (for people aged 55 and over)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to people aged 55 and over. Calls are free.
Papyrus – Call 0800 068 4141, Text 07786209697 or Email pat@papyrus-uk.org – (for young people)
Hours: 10 am-10 pm weekdays; 2 pm-10 pm weekends and bank holidays
Specialist telephone service staffed by trained professionals who give non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to young who are worried about how they are feeling or anyone who is concerned about a young person.
Cruse Bereavement – 0808 808 1677 – (for bereavement)
Hours: Monday and Friday 9.30-5 pm (excluding bank holidays), Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings 9.30-8 pm
Cruse Bereavement Care is here to support you after the death of someone close. If someone you know has died and you need to talk.
Safeline – 0808 800 5005 – (rape and sexual assault helpline for men)
Hours: Mon, Weds & Fri 9 am-5 pm; Tues & Thurs 8 am-8 pm; Sat 10 am-2 pm
Safeline provides immediate emotional support, information and advice to men affected by sexual abuse or rape.
Rape Crisis England & Wales – 0808 2000 247 – (rape and sexual assault helpline for women)
Hours: 12-2.30 pm and 7-9.30 pm every day (including bank holidays)
Rape Crisis National Helpline for female survivors of sexual violence. The Helpline is accessible 365 days a year to women aged 13+ who have survived any form of sexual violence, no matter how long ago. Calls are free.
Frank – 0300 123 6600 – (for substance use and addiction)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Free and confidential drug information and advice.
Rehab Recovery – 0800 088 66 86 – (for addiction)
Rehab Recovery is an organization that provides addiction treatment and healthcare advice for a wide range of different addiction and dependency problems.
Beat – 0808 801 0677 – (for eating disorders)
Hours: 12-8 pm weekdays, 4-8 pm weekends, 365 days of the year
Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. Calls are free.
Samaritans USA – 1 800 273 TALK – (for anyone)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Immediately accessible emotional support and crisis response for those in distress, depressed and/or suicidal. The hotlines practice a humanistic, communications-based response they call “befriending,” that focuses on listening to what a person is feeling and thinking without expressing our own personal judgments, opinions or telling callers what he or she should do. This is a freephone number.
NAMI – 800 950 6264 – (for anyone)
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm ET
Information, referrals and support for people living with a mental health condition, family members and caregivers, mental health providers and the public.
Teenline – 310 855-4673 – (for young people)
Hours: 6-10pm PST every day
A confidential hotline for teenagers to discuss any problem or just to talk with another teen who understands. No problem is too small or too large.
RAINN – 800 656 4673 – (for rape and sexual assault)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
Confidential support services for survivors of sexual violence regardless of where they are in their recovery.
National Eating Disorders Association – 800 931-2237 – (for eating disorders)
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9am-9pm ET; Fri 9am-5pm ET
The NEDA helpline offers support, resources and treatment options for yourself or a loved one struggling with an eating disorder.
Grief Recovery Helpline – 1 800 445 4808 – (for bereavement)
Offers counselling, referrals, support and publications for people experiencing grief.
SAMHSA – 1 800 662 4357 – (for substance use disorders)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
SAMHSA is a confidential information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. Calls are free.
NCADD – 800 622 2255 – (for alcohol and drug dependence)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
NCADD will provide information, help you to assess your situation and, if indicated, work with you to refer you to the most appropriate resources in your community.
DrugRehab – 877 589 4784 – (for addiction)
Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week
DrugRehab provides information, resources, and treatment for people battling addiction and related conditions.
Camp Lejeune Claims Center – 866 477-2629 – (for military veterans)
Camp Lejeune Claims Center helps military veterans harmed by the toxic chemicals in the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to get the support they deserve.