Telephone helplines

The following organisations offer support, help and advice over the phone to anyone affected by mental illness, their families and carers.

Deaf people can access these services by dialing 18001 before the telephone number.

Acute depression and suicidal thinking

Samaritans: 0845 790 9090
Textphone: 0845 790 9192
Open: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year
The Samaritans provides prompt, confidential, emotional support. You can ask for your local branch’s number, in which case you will only pay the local rate for the call.

SANEline: 0845 767 8000
Open: 6pm11pm, 365 days a year
SANEline offers confidential support if you’re feeling suicidal, experiencing a crisis or finding it difficult to cope.

Bereavement and grief

Cruse Bereavement Care: 0844 477 9400
Open: 9.30am5pm MondayFriday
Support and advice for people who have been affected by bereavement and grief.

Mental illness

Mind info line: 0845 766 0163
Open: 9.15am5.15pm MondayFriday
The Mind info line is run by a dedicated team of specialists offering advice on types of mental illness, where to get help and alternative therapies.

Rethink: 020 8974 6814
Open: 10am3pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
10am1pm Tuesdays and Thursdays
This organisation offers practical advice on how to get help for both service users and carers.

Parental support

Parentline Plus: 0808 800 2222
Open: 24 hours a day
This helpline provides information and support to parents who may be feeling depressed or overwhelmed.

Post-natal depression

Association for Postnatal Depression: 020 7386 0868
Open: 10am2pm MondayFriday (24-hour answer phone)
This organisation focuses upon new mothers who are developing depression after giving birth.

Young people

HopeLine UK: 0800 068 4141
Open: 10am5pm and 7pm10pm MondayFriday; 2pm5pm Saturday and Sunday
Confidential support and advice for young people, or anyone concerned about a young person at risk of self-harm.