Whilst I do not offer a 24 hour service, if you are feeling a desperate need to urgently speak to someone, the following places are available for such help. People will listen to you about anything you feel able to share. You don’t even need to speak. You can also just be silent on the phone to have the support of someone being there with you. These are UK based.

  • Shout – “Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. We launched publicly in May 2019 and we’ve had more than 500,000 conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support. As a digital service, Shout 85258 has become increasingly critical since Covid-19, being one of the few mental health support services able to operate as normal at this time.”

Send a text to 85258 – number is available 24 hours a day. 

  • Samaritans – “Talk to us any time you like, in your own way, and off the record – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal.”

Phone: 116 123 – This number is free 24 hours a day, to call from both landlines and mobiles, including pay-as-you-go mobiles. You do not need to have any credit or call allowance on your plan to call 116 123. The 116 123 number does not show up on phone bills, which means callers will not have to worry that other members of their household might notice the number on the bill.

  • HOPELINEUK – If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINEUK for confidential support and practical advice.

Phone: 0800 068 4141
Text: 07786209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm weekdays
2pm – 10pm weekends
2pm – 10pm bank holidays

  • Switchboard – “the LGBT+ helpline – a place for calm words when you need them most. We’re here to help you with whatever you want to talk about. Nothing is off limits, and we understand how anxious you might feel before you pick up the phone.”

Phone: 0300 330 0630 – This number is available 10am-10pm every day.

  • The Calm Zone – Campaign Against Living Miserably. Site offering support to men in the UK, of any age, who are down or in crisis via their helpline and website. The lines are open 5pm–midnight, 365 days a year: UK Nationwide 0800 58 58 58. London 0808 802 58 58.