MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Mental health affects every one of us. Whether you are going through a difficult time yourself, or you are concerned about someone you care about, knowing where to turn can make a real difference. The UK has a wide network of free, confidential support — from NHS services you can access around the clock, to trusted national charities staffed by trained volunteers. This guide sets it all out clearly, so you always know exactly who to call, text, or visit online.
⚠ If you or someone else is in immediate danger: Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E department. For urgent mental health support that is not life-threatening, call NHS 111 and select Option 2 for 24/7 crisis care — available nationally across the UK.
NHS Mental Health Support
There are three main NHS routes to mental health support, depending on how urgently you need help.
| Service | What it offers | How to access |
|---|---|---|
| NHS 111 — Option 2 | Round-the-clock urgent mental health crisis support. Available nationally since April 2024. Your call is routed directly to a trained mental health professional in your local area — with no additional 111 assessment required first (NHS England Digital, 2025). | Call 111 and select Option 2 |
| Your GP | First port of call for ongoing mental health concerns — anxiety, low mood, depression, or anything affecting your daily life. Your GP can offer support, prescribe medication where appropriate, and refer you to specialist services. | Contact your registered GP surgery |
| NHS Talking Therapies | Free talking therapy — including CBT — for anxiety and depression. Available in England to adults aged 18 or over (16 or over in some areas). No GP referral is needed: you can refer yourself directly online (NHS, 2025). | Find a service at nhs.uk |
National Mental Health Charities
All of the following charities offer free, confidential support. Every contact number and web address has been checked and confirmed as active at the time of publication.
| Charity | What they offer | Contact | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samaritans | Confidential, non-judgmental listening support for anyone in distress or struggling with difficult feelings | 116 123 (free, no area code needed) |
24/7, every day of the year |
| CALM | Support for anyone struggling with life's difficulties, including suicidal thoughts. Available by phone, webchat, and WhatsApp | 0800 58 58 58 (free) |
5pm–midnight, every day |
| Shout | Free, anonymous crisis text support for anyone struggling to cope, connected to a trained volunteer | Text SHOUT to 85258 | 24/7, every day |
| Papyrus HOPELINE247 | Confidential suicide prevention advice for young people under 35, and for anyone concerned about them | 0800 068 4141 (free) Text 88247 |
24/7, every day of the year |
| Mind | Mental health information, signposting to local services, and emotional support via phone, email, and text | 0300 123 3393 Text 86463 |
Mon–Fri, 9am–6pm |
| SANEline | Emotional support, guidance, and information for anyone affected by mental illness — including family members and carers | 0300 304 7000 | 4pm–10pm, 365 days a year |
| YoungMinds | Mental health crisis support for young people. A separate Parents Helpline offers guidance for anyone worried about a child or young person |
Crisis: text YM to 85258 Parents: 0808 802 5544 |
Crisis text: 24/7 Parents line: Mon–Fri, 9:30am–4pm |
| Rethink Mental Illness | Practical advice on mental illness, treatments, rights, welfare benefits, and carer support. For adults aged 18+ living in England | Via phone or webchat — see rethink.org | Mon–Fri, 9:30am–4pm |
💡 Not sure where to start? The Hub of Hope is a free, UK-wide mental health service database. Enter your postcode to instantly find both local and national support options that suit your needs.
Key points to remember
- For an immediate emergency, always call 999.
- For an urgent mental health crisis, call 111 and select Option 2 — any time, day or night.
- For a confidential conversation right now, call the Samaritans on 116 123 — it is free, always open, and completely confidential.
- For ongoing mental health concerns, start with your GP or self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies.
- You do not need a referral to access most of the services listed above.
A final word
Looking after your mental health matters — and so does knowing that you are not alone. Whether you need someone to listen right now, clear information about what you are experiencing, or help supporting someone you care about, the services listed here are ready, free, and staffed by people who genuinely want to help. Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. You deserve support.
References
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) (2026) CALM — Get Help. Available at: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- Hub of Hope (2026) Hub of Hope — Find Mental Health Support Near You. Available at: https://hubofhope.co.uk/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- Mind (2026) Helplines. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- NHS (2025) NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- NHS England Digital (2025) Access to Crisis Care via NHS 111 — Mental Health, August 2025. Available at: https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical/access-to-crisis-care-via-nhs-111---mental-health/august-2025 (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- Papyrus UK (2026) HOPELINE247. Available at: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/papyrus-hopeline247/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- Rethink Mental Illness (2026) Contacting the Advice Service. Available at: https://www.rethink.org/advice-and-information/about-our-advice-service/contacting-the-advice-service/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- SANE (2026) SANEline Services. Available at: https://www.sane.org.uk/how-we-help/emotional-support/saneline-services (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- Samaritans (2026) Contact a Samaritan. Available at: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- Shout 85258 (2026) Get Help — Free, 24/7, Confidential Mental Health Text Support. Available at: https://giveusashout.org/get-help/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
- YoungMinds (2026) Mental Health Support for Young People. Available at: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/ (Accessed: 1 June 2026).
All contact details correct at time of publication (June 2026). Please verify directly with each organisation if you are reading this at a later date. This blog post is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
IMPORTANT MEDICAL DISCLAIMER
The content provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional or your GP before starting any new supplement regimen, particularly if you manage pre-existing conditions or take prescription medication.
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