Helplines in United Kingdom
If someone's life is at risk, call 999. For urgent mental health help that isn't an emergency, call 111 and choose the mental health option: in England and Scotland select it from the menu, and in Wales press 2. If you need someone to listen, Samaritans answer free on 116 123, day and night. If you would rather write, text SHOUT to 85258 at any hour.
All the services listed here work in English. Some also offer Welsh, including Childline, CALL (0800 132 737) and the Live Fear Free helpline, and NHS 24 in Scotland offers interpreting through Language Line by pressing 9.
Women experiencing domestic abuse in England can call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline free on 0808 2000 247, 24/7. In Scotland, call 0800 027 1234; in Wales, 0808 80 10 800; in Northern Ireland, 0808 802 1414. Refuge addresses are kept confidential, and the helplines can arrange a safe place. The Rape Crisis support line (0808 500 2222) is open 24/7 in England and Wales. Children and young people can call Childline on 0800 1111. Men affected by domestic abuse can call the Men's Advice Line (0808 801 0327), and LGBTQ+ people can contact Galop (0800 999 5428) or Switchboard (0800 0119 100). There are also lines for eating disorders, drugs and new parents below.
112 also works in the UK, so a foreign phone will connect either way. Each number was checked at its official source, with the date shown beside it.
Emotional support
Samaritans
Confidential listening support for anyone who is struggling, across the UK; a free Welsh-language line is also available on 0808 164 0123.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Shout
Text the word SHOUT to 85258 for confidential text support from a trained volunteer, anywhere in the UK.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Text: 85258
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Breathing Space (Scotland)
Free phone and webchat listening service for people in Scotland who are feeling low, stressed or anxious.
- Hours: Monday to Thursday 6pm to 2am; Friday 6pm to Monday 6am
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Chat
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
CALL Mental Health Listening Line (Wales)
Community Advice and Listening Line offering emotional support and information on mental health services in Wales; email call@helpline.wales.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English, Welsh
- English available
- Cost: free
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Suicide prevention
Lifeline (Northern Ireland)
Northern Ireland's crisis response helpline for people experiencing distress or despair.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Suicide prevention helpline for anyone over 18 affected by suicide or suicidal thoughts, also available by webchat and WhatsApp.
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Domestic violence
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge), England
Refuge's freephone helpline for women experiencing domestic abuse and those supporting them; Women's Aid also directs callers here.
- Hours: 24/7 (BSL support Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm)
- Languages: English, many other languages
- English available
- Cost: free
- Chat
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
Support for anyone in Scotland affected by domestic abuse or forced marriage, by phone, text or WhatsApp, email or chat.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English, other languages
- English available
- Cost: free
- Text: 07401 288595
- Chat
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Live Fear Free Helpline (Wales)
Welsh Government helpline for anyone affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence in Wales; email info@livefearfreehelpline.wales.
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline (Northern Ireland)
Free, confidential support for anyone aged 18 or over in Northern Ireland affected by domestic or sexual abuse; email help@dsahelpline.org.
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Women
Rape Crisis 24/7 Support Line (England and Wales)
Free phone and online chat support for anyone aged 16 or over in England and Wales affected by rape or sexual abuse.
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
LGBTQ+
Galop National LGBT+ Abuse and Violence Helpline
Support for LGBTQ+ people in the UK who have experienced domestic abuse, sexual violence, hate crime or other abuse; email help@galop.org.uk.
- Hours: Monday and Tuesday 9:15am to 8pm; Wednesday to Friday 9:15am to 4:30pm
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
Confidential listening support for LGBTQ+ people across the UK by phone, email and chat.
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Children
Pregnancy and postnatal
PANDAS Foundation
Perinatal mental health charity offering free WhatsApp support and bookable callbacks for parents in pregnancy and after birth.
- Hours: WhatsApp support Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm; bookable callbacks
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Chat
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Alcohol and drugs
Eating disorders
Men
Health advice
NHS 111 (England), mental health option
In England, call 111 and select the mental health option to reach NHS urgent mental health support.
- Hours: 24/7
- Languages: English
- English available
- Cost: free
- Website
Checked 2026-10-19 · source
Questions about getting help in the United Kingdom
What is the emergency number in the United Kingdom?
In the United Kingdom, call 999, 112 and 111 in an emergency. If someone's life is at risk, don't wait: call straight away. Emergency calls are free.
Is there a free mental health helpline in the United Kingdom?
Yes. Samaritans (116 123), Shout and Breathing Space (Scotland) (0800 83 85 87). Details, opening hours and the official source for each number are listed on this page.
Can I get help in English in the United Kingdom?
Yes. These services say they offer English: Samaritans (116 123), Shout, NHS 111 (England), mental health option (111) and NHS 24 111 Mental Health Hub (Scotland) (111).
Where can women experiencing violence get help in the United Kingdom?
Contact National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge), England (0808 2000 247), Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (0800 027 1234) and Live Fear Free Helpline (Wales) (0808 80 10 800). Shelter addresses are kept confidential for safety, so the helpline is the way in. In immediate danger, call 999.
Is there a helpline for children and young people in the United Kingdom?
Yes. Childline (0800 1111).
Numbers are checked against each service's own website on the date shown. Services change, so if a number doesn't work please tell me: hello@michellefernando.com.