National Debt Service

Mental health support

Mental and emotional struggles touch most of us at some point. The services below are free, confidential, and trained to help. There's no wrong reason to call, no problem too small.

Emergency services

Emergency services

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 999 (or 112 from a mobile).

Call 999 or Call 112

Free from any phone. Works on mobiles with no signal from your own network where another UK network is reachable.

Talk to someone now

  • Samaritans

    24-hour confidential listening line for anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide. Free to call from any phone in the UK and Republic of Ireland.

    Regulatory status: Charity Commission (England and Wales) and OSCR (Scotland)

    • 116 123 Primary line Free from all phones, including pay-as-you-go. No credit or call allowance required. Does not appear on phone bill. • 24 hours, every day
    • 0330 094 5717 Alternative if 116 123 is unreachable Local call charges apply

    Visit Samaritans

  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

    Suicide prevention charity offering free, confidential support via helpline, web chat, and WhatsApp. Open 5pm to midnight every day. Open to anyone aged 15 and over.

    Regulatory status: Charity Commission (England and Wales)

    • 0800 58 58 58 Free from landlines, payphones, and all mobiles. Calls anonymous and confidential. Does not appear on phone bill. • 5pm to midnight, 7 days a week

    Visit CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

  • Shout 85258

    Free, confidential, 24/7 mental-health text-message support for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. Trained volunteers respond by text.

    Regulatory status: Mental Health Innovations, registered charity 1175670 (England and Wales)

    • 85258 Text SHOUT to 85258 Not a voice line. Messages free; do not appear on phone bill. • 24 hours, every day

    Visit Shout 85258

Information and support

  • Mind

    Mental health charity for England and Wales offering information and signposting. The Infoline handles non-urgent questions about mental health support and local services. **Not a crisis line** for after-hours crisis support, route to Samaritans (116 123).

    Regulatory status: Charity Commission (England and Wales)

    Visit Mind

  • SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)

    Scotland's leading mental-health charity. The general enquiries line takes questions about SAMH's services; the Information Team handles non-urgent questions about mental health support and signposts to local Scottish services via email.

    Regulatory status: OSCR Scottish Charity number SC008897; company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland SC082340

    • 0141 530 1000 General enquiries Standard call charges. Not a crisis line. • Mon to Fri 10am to 4:30pm (closed 12:30pm to 1:30pm)

    Visit SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health)

  • Breathing Space

    Free, confidential out-of-hours phone and webchat service for people in Scotland aged 16 and over who are experiencing low mood, depression, or anxiety. Run by NHS 24.

    Regulatory status: NHS 24 (NHS Scotland)

    • 0800 83 85 87 Free. Scotland only, 16+ only. • Mon to Fri 6pm to 2am, 24 hours at weekends

    Visit Breathing Space