Help & Support Resources
If you're in distress or experiencing thoughts of suicide, you're not alone and help is available. These organizations provide confidential support—you don't need to be in crisis to reach out. Many people find it helpful to contact a service before things become overwhelming.
Note: These are UK-based services. If you're outside the UK, visit Befrienders Worldwide or IASP for international crisis support.
Which Service Is Right For You?
- 🚨 In crisis right now? → Samaritans (116 123), Shout (85258), NHS 111 (Option 2)
- 👨 Male-specific support? → CALM, Andy's Man Club, ManHealth, Talk Club
- 🏥 Need professional help? → NHS Mental Health, your GP
- 👤 Under 35? → Papyrus, Young Minds
- 😰 Anxiety specific? → Anxiety UK
- 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ support? → Switchboard, MindOut
Immediate Crisis Support
Samaritans24/7
Whatever you're going through, a trained volunteer will listen without judgment. You don't need to be suicidal to call.
Shout24/7
Free, confidential, 24/7 text message support for anyone in crisis. Trained volunteers will text with you about what's bothering you.
NHS 111 - Mental Health Crisis24/7
Urgent mental health support available 24/7 from NHS mental health professionals. If you think your life is at risk, call 999 or go to A&E.
Men-Specific Support
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Leading movement against suicide, specifically focused on preventing male suicide. Offers helpline, webchat, and resources for men struggling with mental health.
Andy's Man Club
Free peer-to-peer support groups for men aged 18+. Over 270 locations across the UK, meeting weekly. A safe space for men to talk without judgment.
Talk Club
Men's peer support groups operating across the UK and globally. Meet regularly in informal settings to talk about mental health and life challenges.
ManHealth
Supporting men through difficulties in their mental and physical health, ultimately to prevent suicide. Offers resources, information, and support specifically for men.
MenWalkTalk
Walking groups for men across the UK. Combines physical activity with peer support, making it easier to talk while walking.
General Mental Health Support
Mind
One of the UK's leading mental health charities, offering information on mental health conditions, a helpline, local services, and resources for seeking help.
Mental Health Foundation
Focuses on promoting mental health awareness, supporting research, and providing resources on how to improve mental health and wellbeing.
Rethink Mental Illness
Offers support and services for people affected by severe mental health conditions, along with guidance on managing mental health challenges.
NHS Mental Health Services
Comprehensive NHS information on mental health conditions, treatment options, and how to access NHS mental health services in your area.
Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide)
Confidential support and advice for anyone under 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or anyone concerned about a young person.
Specialized Support
Anxiety UK
UK charity providing support for people living with anxiety disorders. Offers resources, advice, therapy services, and professional support for managing anxiety.
Young Minds
Focused on supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Provides advice for both young people and their families.
Switchboard (LGBTQ+ Support)
LGBTQ+ helpline providing information, support, and signposting for LGBTQ+ communities and anyone questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity.
MindOut
Mental health service run by and for LGBTQ+ communities. Offers advocacy, peer support, information, and wellbeing groups.
Mental Health First Aid England
Provides training and resources to become a mental health first aider. Helps raise awareness and support mental health in workplaces and communities.
Additional Support
Relate
UK's largest provider of relationship support. Offers counselling for individuals, couples, and families dealing with relationship challenges.
Cruse Bereavement Support
Support for anyone grieving a death. Offers counselling, information, and local support groups.
The Silver Line (65+ years)
Confidential helpline providing information, friendship, and advice to older people, available 24 hours a day.
Combat Stress (Veterans)
UK's leading charity for veterans' mental health. Specialist treatment and support for former Armed Forces personnel with mental health conditions.
If You're Concerned About Someone Else
If you're worried about someone:
- Trust your instincts—if you're concerned, reach out to them
- Ask directly: "Are you thinking about suicide?" (research shows this doesn't increase risk)
- Listen without judgment
- Encourage them to seek professional help
- Don't promise to keep serious concerns secret
- Contact any of the crisis services above for advice
For more guidance:
- Samaritans: Supporting Someone Else
- Mind: Helping Someone Else
Remember
- You don't need to be in crisis to reach out
- All these services are confidential
- It's okay to call or text multiple times
- Help is available—you deserve support
- Recovery is possible
If you believe your life or someone else's life is in immediate danger:
Call 999
or go to your nearest A&E department
If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans listen.
Contact a Samaritan
116 123
Call 116 123 any time, day or night
Whatever you’re going through, you can call any time, from any phone for FREE.
Crisis Text Line
A free, confidential text-based support service for anyone experiencing a crisis. The service provides mental health support via text message. Text HOME to:
ManHealth
Supporting men through difficulties in their mental and physical ill health, ultimately to prevent suicide.
CALM
CALM is a charity focused on preventing male suicide. The site offers mental health support, helpline services, and guidance for anyone struggling with mental health issues.
Mind
Mind is one of the UK’s leading mental health charities, offering a wide range of support, including information on mental health conditions, a helpline, and resources for seeking help.
Mental Health Foundation
This charity focuses on promoting mental health awareness, supporting mental health research, and providing resources on how to improve mental health and well-being.
Rethink Mental Illness
Rethink offers support and services for people affected by severe mental health conditions, along with guidance on managing mental health challenges.
NHS - Mental Health
The NHS Mental Health webpage provides reliable and up-to-date information on a wide range of mental health conditions, treatment options, and services available in the U.K.
Mental Health Foundation
A UK charity that provides support for people living with anxiety disorders. It offers resources, advice, and professional support for managing anxiety.
Rethink Mental Illness
This organisation offers training and resources for people to become mental health first aiders, helping to raise awareness and support mental health in the workplace and community settings.
Young Minds
Focused on supporting the mental health and well-being of children and young people, YoungMinds provides advice for both young people and their families.
The Recovery Village
Offers resources for those in recovery from substance use disorders, mental health conditions, or both. It provides educational articles, support tools, and information on treatment options.