Please remember – if you, or anyone you know, are in danger of immediately harming yourself or others, please pick up a phone and dial ‘999.’ If it is not a life threatening emergency, call ‘111. An overdose of medication is always a medical emergency – call 999.
Looking for support for yourself or someone you know? This page lists a selection of telephone or online services that may be able to provide support during a mental health crisis, or when a person is experiencing suicidal thoughts. For additional helplines, including those providing more specific types of support, visit the Independent Mental Health Network’s service and signposting guide.
National helplines
The Samaritans provide a non-judgemental listening service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 116 123, or text 07725 909 090.
If you identify as male, the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) Helpline is available 17:00 – Midnight, 365 days a year, at 0800 58 58 58.
MindLine Trans+ provides a safe place to talk and receive support. Operators either identify as Trans+ or are allies of the community. The helpline is available on Mondays and Fridays, between 20:00 – Midnight, at 0300 330 5468
If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (16:30pm – 22:30pm every day).
If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call the Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (available weekdays 09:00 – 22:00; weekends/bank holidays 14:00 – 22:00), email , or text 07786 209 697.
If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
Kooth provides anonymous online support for young people atwww.kooth.com. Their helpline is open Monday to Friday between 12:00 – 22:00pm, and Saturday to Sunday between 18:00 – 22:00.
Shout operate a text service for people experiencing a personal crisis. Text Shout to 85258.
YoungMinds operate a helpline for parents, open between 09:30 – 16:00 Monday to Friday, at 0808 802 5544
The YoungMinds Crisis Messenger Service is available 24 hours a day – text ‘YM’ to85258 for support via text.
Bristol helplines and support
24/7 Support and Connect is a new NHS, free, confidential 24/7 helpline. This line is staffed by experienced counsellors, who you can talk to and they will listen. Call 0800 012 6549 (textphone users dial 18001 followed by 0800 0126549).
The Bristol MindLine provides a safe space to talk, and is available Wednesday to Sundays between 20:00 – Midnight, at 0808 808 0300
Bristol Nightline is a non-advisory, anonymous and con dential listening service for students at the University of Bristol. The helpline operates between 20:00 – 08:00 every day during term time, at 0117 9266 266.
The Bristol Sanctuary is a place to come when you are in serious emotional distress, providing a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment. At the moment, the service is telephone-only, and is open every night of the week between 16:00 – 22:00. Call the team on 07709 295 661 or 0117 9542952 – after an initial informal assessment, the team will allocate a time slot during the evening when staff will call back and offer support.
North Somerset helplines and support
24/7 Support and Connect is a new NHS, free, confidential 24/7 helpline. The service covers the North Somerset area, and is staffed by experienced counsellors, who you can talk to and they will listen. Call 0800 012 6549 (textphone users dial 18001 followed by 0800 0126549).
South Gloucestershire helplines and support
24/7 Support and Connect is a new NHS, free, confidential 24/7 helpline. The service covers the South Gloucestershire area, and is staffed by experienced counsellors, who you can talk to and they will listen. Call 0800 012 6549 (textphone users dial 18001 followed by 0800 0126549).