Contacts for your emotions and mental health
These organisations and communities can support you with all aspects of your emotions and mental health – whether you're experiencing anxiety, depression or stress, or you just need someone to talk to.
If you need emergency help
Young Lives vs Cancer is unable to offer a 24/7 support service. If you need help urgently, there are a number of organisations you can contact. If someone’s life is at risk and/or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E immediately.
Samaritans
Whatever you are going through, you can contact the Samaritans for support 24/7. Email jo@samaritans.org or call 116 123. https://www.samaritans.org/
Young Minds textline
Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. Text YM to 85258. More information: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/youngminds-textline/
The Mix – crisis messenger
The Mix’s crisis messenger text service provides free 24/7 crisis support across the UK to those 25 and under. Text THEMIX to 85258.
themix.org.uk
NHS urgent mental health support (England)
Find your nearest urgent mental health support service in England: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline
C.A.L.L – mental health helpline in Wales
This helpline offers a confidential listening and support service – open 24/7. Call 0800 132 737 or text help to 81066. Visit: https://callhelpline.org.uk/
Lifeline 24hr – 24/7 counselling in Northern Ireland
Lifeline is a crisis phone line for people in Northern Ireland experiencing distress or despair. The helpline is available 24 hours a day.
Lifelinehelpline.info
Call on 0808 808 8000
Breathing Space (Scotland)
Breathing Space’s experienced advisors are ready to listen to whatever is on your mind and offer information and advice. Call 0800 83 85 87 for free.
Weekdays: Monday-Thursday, 6pm to 2am
Weekends: Friday 6pm to Monday 6am
https://breathingspace.scot/
National services
Macmillan x Bupa (Nationwide) https://www.macmillan.org.uk/cancer-information-and-support/get-help/emotional-help/bupa-counselling-and-emotional-well-being-support
Cancer Support UK (Nationwide) https://cancersupportuk.org/cancercoach/
Regional services
Mind Over Cancer (East Anglia) https://www.mindovercancer.org.uk/
We Hear You (Bath and North East Somerset, Somerset and Wiltshire) https://www.wehearyou.org.uk/
Positive Action on Cancer (Frome, Bath, Warminster and Trowbridge) https://www.positiveactiononcancer.co.uk/
Penny Brohn (Bristol) https://www.pennybrohn.org.uk/find-help/support-national-centre/appointments/counselling-service/
Help Harry Help Others (Solihull & Birmingham) https://hhho.org.uk/helpcare/professional-counselling-for-adults-children/
The Mulberry Centre (London Area) https://themulberrycentre.co.uk/portfolio-items/psychological-support/
Paul’s Cancer Support Centre (London Area) https://pauls.org.uk/counselling-and-complementary-therapies-cancer-support-pauls-cancer-support-centre-battersea-wandsworth-london
Star Throwers (Norfolk) https://www.starthrowers.org.uk/supporting-you/counselling/
Cancer Focus (Northern Ireland) https://cancerfocusni.org/patient-support/counselling/
Cancer Support (Scotland) https://www.cancersupportscotland.org/get-support/counselling/
The Mix UK
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. They’re here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing – from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to The Mix via the online community, on social, through the free, confidential helpline or the counselling service. https://www.themix.org.uk/
Kooth
Kooth is commissioned by the NHS, Local Authorities, charities and businesses to provide anonymous and personalised mental health support for Children and Young People aged 11 to 25 years old.
https://www.kooth.com/
Togetherall
A safe online community of people who are anxious or finding it difficult to cope. They support each other by sharing what’s troubling them. Togetherall is available 24/7 and is guided by trained professionals. It’s also completely anonymous so you can express yourself freely and openly.
https://togetherall.com/en-gb/
CALM
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) has helpful information about a range of topics. They also have lifestyle articles and videos to encourage men to live life to the fullest and get the support they need. Their helpline is open 7 days a week from 5pm until midnight. You can talk through any issue. They’ll listen and offer information anonymously and confidentially.
thecalmzone.net
Call on 0800 58 58 58 or use webchat from 5pm – midnight
Fixers
Fixers are young people using their past to fix the future. They are motivated by personal experience to make positive change for themselves and those around them. Young people aged 16 to 25 tackle issues that matter the most to them.
fixers.org.uk
Heads Above the Waves
Heads Above the Waves is an organisation that raises awareness of depression and self-harm in young people. They promote positive, creative ways of dealing with the bad days.
hatw.co.uk
Mind
Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Mind campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
mind.org.uk
Call on 0300 123 3393, email info@mind.org.uk or text 86463
Young Minds
Young Minds is a charity committed to improving the wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. You’ll find plenty of advice on their website about specific conditions like anxiety, depression and eating disorders, plus advice on treatment and where to go for more support.
youngminds.org.uk
Childline
Childline is a free, confidential service for young people in the UK aged 19 and under. Call them anytime to talk about anything that’s worrying you.
childline.org.uk
Call on 0800 1111
Meic
Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Meic provides information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.
meiccymru.org
Call on 08088 023456
SupportLine
SupportLine is a confidential, non-judgemental service providing emotional support by phone, email or post, allowing young people from across the UK to talk through any issue they may be experiencing.
supportline.org.uk
Call on 0170 876 5200
Counselling Directory
The Counselling Directory provides information about different types of counselling and other therapies. It also has a postcode-searchable database of counsellors and psychotherapists from across the UK.
counselling-directory.org.uk
Doc Ready
It can be hard to talk to people when you’re having difficulties with your mental health. Doc Ready helps you prepare for the first time you visit a doctor to talk about your mental health. You’ll build a checklist, so you don’t miss anything, and get simple info and tips on what to expect.
docready.org
Health in Mind
Health in Mind provides information on counselling, support groups and wellbeing workshops in Scotland. They also have useful resources on their website.
https://www.health-in-mind.org.uk/
Saheliya
Saheliya provides specialist mental health support (including counselling and group work) for black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls (aged 12+) in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas.
https://www.saheliya.co.uk/
Youth Access
Youth Access an advice and counselling network for young people. You can find free and confidential counselling, advice or information services locally using their postcode search.
youthaccess.org.uk
Turn2Us
Turn2Us is a national charity that provides practical help to people who are struggling financially.
www.turn2us.org.uk
StepChange
StepChange help people deal with debt problems. If you’re worried about debt, their online debt advice service is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can also call them on 0800 138 1111 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday, or 8am to 4pm on Saturdays.
stepchange.org
Reviewed and updated in December 2021.