Need help quickly?
Emergency help and helplines
If your child has taken an overdose or self-harmed and you are concerned that the cuts are very deep or there is serious blood loss, go to A&E or call 999.
Call NHS 111 ‘Mental Health Option’. This service is available for people of all ages, and accessible to friends and family of someone in distress too.
If you just need to talk, any time of day or night:
These services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult.
- Samaritans: Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
- Shout: confidential crisis text support for times when immediate assistance is required. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 (24 hours a day, every day).
- Childline: a free, private, and confidential service where young people can talk about anything. Calls are free and confidential. Calls are not recorded, and its number won't show up on any phone bills. Call 0800 1111 (24 hours a day, every day).
- Papyrus: confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person. Call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 (24 hours a day, every day).