Sometimes, we need someone to talk to. With the increasing strain put upon the NHS, it’s hard to get an appointment with your GP or your psychiatrist if you have one. Maybe you don’t want to talk to a friend or a member of your family. Or maybe you feel like you don’t have anyone to talk to. If you’re in a crisis right now and you need to talk, there are many helplines that are staffed with trained people ready to hear you out. They won’t judge you, they’ll listen and maybe they can help you make sense of how you’re feeling or what you’re thinking.

I’ve used several of these helplines throughout the last few years. I’m not going to tell you that they solved my problem(s), because they didn’t. But they allowed me to take a step back from the edge and think more clearly. Sometimes that was enough for me to solve the problem myself or enough to make me speak to a medical professional. I strongly urge you to call one of these helplines if you need someone to talk to. A problem shared, is a problem halved after all.

Samaritans

The Samaritans are a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year service. This is the helpline I’ve called the most and they’ve always managed to help take the edge off. I truly believe they’ve saved my life a few times.

Call: 116 123 (free from any phone)

Email: [email protected]

SANEline

SANEline is for anyone experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone with one.

Call: 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm – 10.30pm Everyday)

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK

NSPH UK offer a listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide and they are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call: 0800 689 5652

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

CALM are available to call from 5pm to midnight every day. If you’re struggling and need to talk. Sometimes, it’s not easy to talk so they also have a webchat service which you can find here

Call: 0808 808 4994

Papyrus HOPELINEUK

This service is for people under 35. If you’re struggling with sucidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be, you can call Papyrus. They are open on weekdays from 10am-10pm, weekends and bank holidays from 2pm-10pm.

Email: [email protected]

Call: 0800 068 4141

Text: 07786 209 697

Switchboard

If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender than you may feel more confident calling Switchboard. All of the phone operators identify as LGBT+. They are open from 10am-10pm everyday.

Call: 0300 330 0630

Email: [email protected]

Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L)

If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line, they are open 24/7.

Call: 0800 132 737

Text ‘help’ followed by a question: 81066