Who to Contact in Scotland if You Need Support During the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

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If you or somebody else is having breathing difficulties or stroke symptoms (face dropping at one side, not being able to lift arms or slurred speech) or is in immediate danger, dial 999 and ask for the service you require (ambulance, police or fire service).

Anxiety UK

Anxiety UK operates a helpline and text service for those suffering from anxiety and those with anxiety disorders.

Call: 03444 775 774

Text: 07537 416 905

Open: Monday-Friday 9.30am-5.30pm

Be Gamble Aware

Be Gamble Aware offers free, confidential advice to those who are concerned about their or someone else’s gambling.

Call: 0808 8020 133

Webchat is also available.

Open: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Breathing Space

Breathing Space is a free confidential service for people in Scotland. Open up when you’re feeling down.

Call: 0800 83 85 87

Open: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday 6pm-Monday 6am

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

CALM is leading a movement against suicide through frontline support, communities and campaigns.

Call: 0800 58 58 58

Webchat also available

Open: 365 days a year, 5pm-midnight

Childline

Childline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Online, on the phone, anytime.

Call: 0800 1111 (This number won’t appear on your phone bill)

Webchat and other services are also available.

Childline is operating reduced hours because of the coronavirus. You can speak to a counsellor online or on the phone from 9am-midnight and you won’t be able to join the 1-2-1 webchat queue after 10.30pm. For more information visit Childline.

Cruse Bereavement Care

Cruse Bereavement Care operates a free helpline for those dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Call: 0808 808 1677​

Email: helpline@cruse.org.uk

Open: Monday and Friday 9.30am-5pm, Tuesday-Thursday 9.30am-8pm

LGBT Foundation

The LGBT Foundation operates a helpline offering non-judgemental support and advice on a range of topics

Call: 0345 3 30 30 30

Email: helpline@lgbt.foundation

Open: Weekdays 9am-9pm, weekends 10am-6pm.

LGBT Youth Scotland

LGBT Youth Scotland run a live chat on their website three times a week where you can chat directly with trained youth workers in real-time about whatever is on your mind.

Live chat open: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday evening from 6pm to 8pm

Text: 07786 202 370 (introduce yourself and advise what you’d like to talk about and someone will get back to you as soon as possible).

Open: Monday-Friday. 

Near Me

Near Me is a secure way to have a video consultation for a health or social care appointment from home, backed by the NHS and Scottish Government. If you a have a device that allows you to make video calls and an internet connection then you will be able to use it.

More information on what the service is and how to use it can be found on the Near Me website.

Papyrus

Papyrus is a suicide-prevention charity for under-35s. It operates HOPELINEUK, a helpline for those concerned that a young person is feeling suicidal.

Call: 0800 068 4141

Text: 07860039967

Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Open: Weekdays 9am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm

National Helpline

A new national helpline has been launched which will support vulnerable and high-risk people during the coronavirus outbreak in Scotland. This includes people who do not have family or existing community support and cannot get online and who are over 70, disabled, require the support of mental health services, are pregnant or receive a flu jab for health reasons. 

Call: 0800 111 4000

Open: Weekdays 9am-5pm (this may be extended in the future)

Visit the Ready Scotland website if you are not in one of the above categories but are looking for more information.

NHS

The NHS offers an online service, NHS Inform, as well as a helpline, NHS 24.  NHS Inform is an online service to help people understand what to do if they have symptoms of coronavirus which is updated with new information from the Chief Medical Officer. A dedicated information helpline for those with no coronavirus symptoms is also available for information and support.

Call NHS 24: 111

Open: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Call the Information Line0800 028 2816 (for coronavirus information and advice)

Open: Monday to Friday, 8.00am to 10.00pm and Saturday and Sunday, 8.00am to 6.00pm

Parent Club

Parent Club is a website for expecting parents and parents, they have set up a dedicated webpage all about coronavirus to answer any questions and provide information on how to cope with this huge change and how to protect yourself and others. 

Visit the website

Police Scotland

Police Scotland has a non-emergency number which you should call if you want to talk to your local police officer, get crime prevention advice, or report a crime that does not need an emergency response.

Call: 111

Open: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Rape Crisis Scotland

Rape Crisis Scotland is a charity working to end sexual violence. It operates a helpline offering free and confidential support and information.

Call: 08088 01 03 02

Text: 077537 410 027 (for initial contact, information and signposting)

Email: support@rapecrisisscotland.org.uk

Open: Every day, 6pm-midnight

Respect

Respect operate an advice line for men to talk over issues of domestic abuse.

Call: 0808 8010327

Email: info@mensadviceline.org.uk

Webchat also available

Open: Monday/Wednesday 9am-8pm, Tuesday/Thursday/Friday 9am-5pm (this number won’t appear on itemised bills)

Webchat: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 -11am and 3-4pm

Samaritans

Samaritans provides emotional support to anyone in emotional distress or at risk of suicide.

Call: 116 123

Email: jo@samaritans.org

Open: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year

Scotland’s Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline (SDAFMH)

SDAFMH offers support for those with experience of domestic abuse and/or forced marriage. It also offers a confidential translation service in a variety of languages.

Call: 0800 027 1234

Email: helpline@sdafmh.org.uk

Webchat is also available.

Open: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Shout

Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service for support in a crisis.

Text SHOUT to 85258

Open: 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Skills Development Scotland (SDS)

SDS is running a free one-to-one career advice service through the PACE helpline for anyone worried about their learning or work during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis.

Call: 0800 917 8000

Open: Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm

Victim Support Scotland

Victim Support Scotland operate a helpline for victims of crime offering information, emotional support and practical assistance.

Call: 08001601985

Webchat also available

Open: Monday to Friday, 8am-8pm

Who Cares? Scotland

Who Cares? Scotland are offering emotional support, information and financial assistance to anyone who has been or is in care and is struggling due to COVID-19 and lockdown. 

They can provide practical support, such as money for food, mobile phone top ups and gas and electricity payments. 

They are also working in partnership with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) to offer fast-tracked counselling services for any Care Experienced people who have been impacted by COVID-19.

Call: 0330 107 7540

Text: 07568 242965

Email: help@whocaresscotland.org.

Young Minds

Young Minds operates a text message service for young people looking for help and support with mental health, as well as a helpline for parents worried about their child.

Call: 0808 802 5544 (for parents)

Text YM to 85258 (for young people)

Open: Weekdays 9.30am-4pm (parent’s helpline). Young people’s text service is open 24/7.

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