Here Are The Leading Mental Health Helplines And Services In The UK

Awareness of mental health related problems is on the rise, yet many are still reluctant to reach out and ask for help.

There are all manner of reasons why someone might want to 'bottle up' these problems, but taking the first step and opening up to someone can make all the difference. If you don't feel comfortable talking to a friend or family member, then there are all sorts of helplines out there manned by trained listeners who could give you the support you need.

As Hussain Manawer, ambassador of LADbible's mental health campaign UOKM8?, points out, it is up to you how you have that first conversation.

He said: "Having a conversation is really important and firstly I'd like to address the word 'help'. I understand that can be a really difficult thing, because you don't want to feel like a 'burden' and you don't want to feel like the 'toxic' one in the friendship group - asking for help doesn't mean any of those things.

"You have a right to ask for help. Do what makes you feel comfortable. The conversation is happening on your terms. How you want to do it, where you want to do it, when you want to do it and who you want to have it with."

Here's a list of the leading mental health helplines and services that are just a call away in the UK:

- Samaritans are there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and will talk to you about anything that's bothering you. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Welsh Language Line on 0300 123 3011 from 7pm to 11pm every day.

- SANEline will talk to you about your mental health, or the mental health of someone you're supporting on 0300 304 7000 from 4.30pm to 10.30pm every day.

- The Mix take calls from under 25s on 0808 808 4994 from Sunday to Friday, 2pm to 11pm. You can request support by email using the form on The Mix website or using their crisis text messenger service.

- Papyrus HOPELINEUK is there for under 35s struggling with suicidal feelings, or those who are concerned about a young person who might be struggling. You can call them on 0800 068 4141 on weekdays from 10am to 10pm, on weekends from 2pm to 10pm, and on bank holidays from 2pm to 10pm. You can also email [email protected] or text 07786 209 697.

- The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) caters specifically to males on 0800 58 58 58 from 5pm to midnight every day. Alternatively, you can use their webchat service.

- The Nightline website allows students to see if their university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

- Switchboard is there for people who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender and can be reached on 0300 330 0630 from 10am to 10pm every day. You can also email here or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.

- The Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L). is available for those who live in Wales and can be contacted on 0800 123 737, which is open 24/7. You can also text 'help' followed by a question to 81066.

UOKM8? is a campaign by LADbible, featuring films and stories that provide advice and inspiration on mental health. Explore more here and don't suffer in silence. Let's talk mental health.

Topics: UK News, Mental Health, Interesting, UOKM8?, Health

Jake Massey

Jake Massey is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from Newcastle University, where he learnt a bit about media and a lot about living without heating. After spending a few years in Australia and New Zealand, Jake secured a role at an obscure radio station in Norwich, inadvertently becoming a real-life Alan Partridge in the process. From there, Jake became a reporter at the Eastern Daily Press. Jake enjoys playing football, listening to music and writing about himself in the third person.

@jakesmassey