If you or somebody else is needing a bit of emotional support, it can be a little scary knowing what to Google, who to turn to and what you can do to manage your emotions in a healthy way. It’s important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. This could be a family member or friend, your GP or by calling a helpline.
Remember if you or someone else is in immediate danger call 999.
There are a range of organisations that can offer immediate support for your mental health:
- NHS 24: 111 (open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day)
- Childline: 0800 1111 (open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day)
- Samaritans: 116 123 (open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day)
- Papyrus: 0800 068 4141 (open 365 days a year, 9am – midnight)
Below is a list of organisations offering a variety of forms of support.
Anxiety UK
Anxiety UK offers support, advice and information on a range of anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression conditions.
Call: 03444 775 774
Text: 07537 416905
Helplines are open 10.30AM – 4.30PM, Monday – Friday (except bank holidays).
Visit their website to use Anxia – a chatbot that can help provide support.
BEAT
Eating disorder charity who offer different support services depending on your age.
Call Youthline (Under 18s): 0808 801 0711
Call the Helpline (18+): 0808 801 0432
Helplines are open 365 days a year from 9am-midnight during the week and 4pm–midnight on weekends and bank holidays.
Email support: scotlandhelp@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Breathing Space
Free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Open Monday – Thursday 6pm – 2am and from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Monday.
Call: 0800 83 85 87
Barnardo’s
Barnardo’s, a children’s charity, has set up a dedicated Ukrainian Support Helpline with access to interpreters in Ukrainian and Russian. Their helpline hours are Monday – Friday 10.00am – 8.00pm and Saturday 10.00am – 3.00pm. You are encouraged to contact them either by phone on 0800 148 8586, by email ukrainiansupport@barnardos.org.uk or by completing their online form.
Calm Harm
An app to help teenagers manage or resist the urge to self-harm by providing a wide range of distraction techniques.
Childline
Support for anyone under 19 years old.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call: 0800 1111
Visit the Childline website for a digital chat.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Operates a free helpline for those dealing with the loss of a loved one.
Open Monday and Friday 9.30am – 5pm, Tuesday – Thursday 9.30am-8pm.
- Christmas & Boxing Day: Phone & Email Service open 10am-2pm
- New Years Day: Closed
Call: 0808 802 1677
Email: info@crusescotland.org.uk
LGBT Youth Scotland
Live chat on their website four times a week where you can chat directly with trained youth workers in real-time about whatever is on your mind.
Their session hours run from:
- Monday: 4pm to 8pm
- Tuesday: 6pm to 8pm
- Wednesday: 4pm to 8pm
- Thursday: 6pm to 8pm
You can also email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk outwith these hours if you need support.
LGBT Foundation
Operates a helpline offering non-judgemental support and advice on a range of topics.
Open weekdays 9am-9pm and between 10am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday (excluding bank holidays and religious festivals).
Call: 0345 3 30 30 30
Email: info@lgbt.foundation (it can take up to 10 working days for a reply)
NHS Inform
NSPCC
Parental and child mental health support.
Open Monday to Friday 8am – 10pm.
Call: 0808 800 5000
Email: help@nspcc.org.uk
PAPYRUS HOPELine
Young suicide prevention society.
9am – midnight every day of the year (weekends and Bank Holidays included).
Call: 0800 068 41 41
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Text: 07860 039967
Samaritans
Emotional support to anyone in emotional distress or at risk of suicide.
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Call: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
SAMH Information Service
Seeking Support, information or for a chat about mental health.
Open 9am – 6pm, Monday – Friday (closed Bank Holidays).
Phone: 0344 800 0550
Email: info@samh.org.uk
Shout
Text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. A place to go if you are struggling to cope and need immediate help.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Text: SHOUT to 85258
Sleep Scotland
If you’re struggling with your sleep, Sleep Scotland can provide support. Email them initially to arrange a phone call.
Open Monday – Thursday 10am – 4pm.
Email: sleepsupport@sleepscotland.org
The British Red Cross
The British Red Cross has information about a range of support services. They have a helpline on 0808 196 3651, which is open daily between 10am – 6pm, and you can ask for an interpreter if you need one.
The Mix
Support for anyone up to 25 years old.
Their phone line is open 3pm – 12am every day of the year.
Call: 0808 808 4994
Their crisis text support service, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Text: Text THEMIX to 85258
You can speak to the team at The Mix via their website.
CAMHS
If things are getting too much and you are struggling to cope, you can get help from Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). You can find details of what your local NHS can do to help you here.