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Free Telephone Counseling Hotlines in the United Kingdom

On this page:

National Suicide & Crisis Lines  Alcohol & Substance Abuse  Domestic & Sexual Violence  Eating Disorders  Gay & Lesbian (GLBTQ)  Specific Disorders / Other  Aids / Sexual Health  Family Support

National Suicide & Crisis Lines

  • Hopeline UK

    919-231-4525 HOPELineUK is a confidential support and advice service for: Young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide. Anyone concerned a young person may be having thoughts of suicide. A HOPELineUK advisor will hear about the things that are happening in your life that are contributing to your thoughts of suicide and provide advice about how you can cope with your thoughts of suicide, or where you can access help. You can also speak to our HOPELineUK advisors to get advice about how to start a conversation about suicide with someone you are concerned about, and how to best support them.


  • National Suicide Helpline UK

     0800 689 5652
    National Suicide Helpline UK offers a 24/7 supportive listening service to anyone throughout the UK with thoughts of suicide or thoughts of self harm.

  • SANE

    0 (300) 304 7000 SANE offers emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental health problems through our helpline and our online Support Forum where people share their feelings and experiences. These services are provided by our team of volunteers who undergo rigorous training and in many cases give hundreds of hours of their free time each year.

  • Samartitans UK

    116 123 We offer a safe place for you to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you. You don’t have to be suicidal. Find out why our service works and what you can expect when contacting us. If you have any concerns about our service before you try it, hear from others about how we've helped them. Please don’t suffer alone.

  • Mental Health Crisis Support

    01708 765200 The service is available to anyone, of any age, currently living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough in mental health crisis. Individuals may call themselves or others can call on behalf of someone in crisis.

  • Mental Health First Aid

    (020) 7250 8062 MHFA is the help given to someone experiencing a mental health problem before professional help is obtained. MHFA does not teach people to be therapists. However, it does teach people how to recognise the symptoms of mental health problems, how to provide initial help and how to guide a person towards appropriate professional help.

  • National Mind

    0 (300) 123 3393Mind is the leading mental health charity for England and Wales, providing information to help promote understanding of mental health and campaigns to fight for the rights of everyone affected by mental health issues.

  • Support Line UK

    0 (170) 8 765200Confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post.

  • Support Line UK

    0 (170) 8 765200Confidential emotional support to children, young adults and adults by telephone, email and post.

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Alcohol & Substance Abuse

  • Alcoholics Anonymous

    0 (800) 9177 650 Fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism.

  • Talk to Frank

    0 (300) 123 6600 For free confidential drugs information and advice 24 hours a day.

  • CAIS

    0 (845) 06 121 12 Provider of personal support services for those who having problems with addictions, mental health, personal development and employment.

  • Re-Solv

    01785 810762 Solvent abuse affects the lives of thousands of people in the UK. If you misuse any of the above products, or if someone you know misuses them, then we’re glad you’re here. Founded in 1984, Re-Solv is the expert charity working across the UK to end solvent abuse and support all those whose lives are affected by it.

  • Alcohol Change

     0300 123 1110 Alcohol Change UK is the new charity formed by the merger of Alcohol Research UK and Alcohol Concern. Our new website incorporates content from our predecessor charities and our former Welsh site, Drink Wise Wales. As the national charity working to help reduce the problems that can be caused by alcohol. We do this by helping people with information, advice and support with their questions about drinking and the problems that can sometimes be caused by alcohol.

Domestic & Sexual Violence

  • Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre 

    0 (122) 3 245888 Volunteer run confidential support and information by telephone.

  • Women's Aid Federation of England

    0 (808) 2000 247 Women’s Aid works to end domestic violence against women and children.

  • Rape Crisis England and Wales

    0 (808) 802 9999 Rape Crisis England & Wales is a national charity and the umbrella body for our network of independent member Rape Crisis Centres.

  • Life Center

    0 (808) 802 0808 Telephone counselling for survivors of sexual abuse and those supporting survivors. Also offers face-to-face counselling and art therapy groups in West Sussex.

  • CIS'ters (Childhood Incest Survivors)

    (023) 8033 8080 Provides help and support for adult women who suffered incest as a child. Organises workshops and conferences to raise awareness on the issues surrounding incest, particularly mental distress.

  •  Mankind 

    0 (127) 3 911 680 Provides one-to-one counselling, therapeutic groups and couple counselling to men (age 18+) who have experienced sexual abuse at any time in their lives.

  • Survivors UK

    0 (203) 598 3898 Support for men who have been raped or sexually abused. Also provides webchat, face-to-face counselling and support groups in the London area.

  • Mosac

    0 (800) 980 1958 Mosac is a voluntary organisation supporting non-abusing parents and carers whose children have been sexually abused, providing support, advice, information and counselling following the discovery of sexual abuse.

  • Stop it Now! 

    0 (808) 1000 900 Confidential freephone helpline for people struggling with sexual thoughts and behaviours towards children. Also supports anyone with a concern, including the parents and carers of children and young people with worrying sexual behaviour, and friends and family worried about the behaviour of another adult.

  • Family Matters

    01 (474) 537 392 Helpline and counselling for people of all ages who have experienced rape or childhood sexual abuse.

  •  Family Matters 

    01 (474) 537 392 Helpline and counselling for people of all ages who have experienced rape or childhood sexual abuse.

Eating Disorders

  • BEAT Eating Disorders

    0 (345) 634 1414UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. Beat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association. Youthline for people aged 25 and under

  • Nutritionist Resource

    0 (844) 8030 244Nutrition support network enabling those in need to find a nutritionist close to them and appropriate for their needs, including finding a nutritionist dealing with Mental Health.

Online Counseling

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Gay & Lesbian (GLBTQ)

  • BEAT Eating Disorders

    0 (345) 634 1414 UK charity for people with eating disorders and their families. Beat is the working name of the Eating Disorders Association. Youthline for people aged 25 and under

  • Allsorts Youth Project

    0 (127) 372 1211 Allsorts is a project based in Brighton to support and empower children and young people under 26 who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans or unsure (LGBTU) of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Their mission statement reads: “Allsorts Youth Project supports and empowers lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans young people to take a lead in raising awareness of homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and challenge prejudice and discrimination in all areas of young people’s lives”.

  • Brighton and Hove LGBT Community Safety Forum

    0 (127) 3 855620 They support cultural, educational and social safety community activities and any type of LGBT community-building initiative. The LGBT Community Safety Forum was formed to give the community a much needed voice on a wide range of safety issues in Brighton and Hove.

  • Pavilions

    (788) 447 6634 We provide you with confidential support and information, recommend treatment pathways and tailor your experience to help you achieve your goals around drug/alcohol use. We provide support to adults in Brighton and Hove who identify as LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning), including men who have sex with men (MSM). We also work in partnership with other LGBTQ services in Brighton. Many people accessing help commonly present with a number of complex issues. Our role is to support the client in identifying the areas where they are in need and to access appropriate support, often linking in with other established LGBTQ services in Brighton.

Specific Disorders / Other

  • Anxiety UK 

    0 (844) 4 775 774 Anxiety UK works to relieve and support those living with anxiety disorders by providing information, support and understanding via an extensive range of services, including 1:1 therapy.

  • Bipolar UK

    0 (333) 323 3880 National charity dedicated to supporting individuals with the much misunderstood and devastating condition of bipolar, their families and carers. Work to enable people affected by bipolar (formerly known as manic depression) to take control of their lives.

  • Rethink

    0 (135) 4 655 786 Rethink Helpline for carers of people with schizophrenia and other enduring mental illnesses

  • Cruse Bereavement

    0 (122) 3 633536 Promotes the well-being of bereaved people and helps anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. Providing free care, information, support and training services to those who are looking after them.

  • Make Do and Mend

    0 (122) 3 521634 Make, Do and Mend has been set up to provide a flexible programme of strengths-based skills workshops, peer support and information on mental health resources in Cambridge for people who suffer from mental health illness.

  • Making Space 

    0 (148) 0 211006 Making Space is a national charity providing quality care and support to people with a wide variety of needs including those with physical and/or mental health conditions, learning disabilities and dementia. We also offer the same level of support to their friends, families and carers – enabling each and every user of our services to shape their life around personal aspirations and circumstances.

  • OCD Action/h3>

    0 (845) 390 6232 Provides support and information for people affected by obsessive compulsive disorder.

Aids / Sexual Health

  • National AIDS and Sexual Health Line

    0 (800) 567 123 A 24-hour, free and confidential telephone service with advice about HIV and AIDS, sexual health, STD's, local services, clinics and support services.

  • AIDS Helpline

    0 (800) 012 322 The 24-hour hotline provides information on HIV testing, treatment, care and prevention.

  • Positively Women

    0 (207) 713 0222 Positively Women is the only national charity providing support for women living with HIV by women living with HIV: Providing specialist support by women living with HIV enabling women to make informed choices. Challenging stigma and discrimination

  • Terrence Hiigins Trust

    0 (845) 1221 200 Their advisers can provide emotional support if you are worried about your sexual health or have concerns about living with HIV, and can help you access services local to you across the UK.

  •  Global Network of People Living with HIV

    31 (204) 23 4114 The overall aim of GNP+ is to work to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV and AIDS. The organisation's focus is on building the capacity of people with HIV and AIDS on the global, regional and national level.

  • i-Base

    44 (207) 407 8488 HIV i-Base is a treatment activist group, HIV positive led and committed to providing timely HIV treatment information both to positive people and to health care professionals.

  • UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development

    44 (207) 324 4780 The Consortium’s vision is to promote an effective global response to HIV and AIDS that contributes to sustainable development. It's mission is to encourage, initiate and support collaborative action by civil society to contribute to and influence the global response to HIV and AIDS.

  • The International HIV/AIDS Alliance

    01 (273) 718900 Established in 1993, the International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) is a global partnership of nationally-based organisations working to support community action on AIDS.

  • Lunch Positive

    (784) 646 4384 The Lunch Positive lunch club is a peer-led community space for everyone with HIV. They have a coffee and lounge area, and a dining area for lunch which is provided every Friday at noon at the Dorset Gardens Methodist Church in Brighton. The space belongs to everyone who visits, so please make it your own. You’re welcome to sit where you want, move around and chat, whatever is good for you. They hope you’ll use this to meet new people, make new friends and be able to share peer support. The lunch club is provided entirely by volunteers.

Family Support

  •  Silverline 

    0 (800) 4 70 80 90 Free, confidential 24 hr helpline for older people.

  • CAIS - Get Connected

    0 (808) 808 4994 Helps under-25s with a wide range of issues and can put you in touch with the right sort of help near you no matter what your worry and is a friendly website for children and young people whose parents are splitting up.

  • Young Minds

    0 (808) 802 5544 Parents' Information Service gives advice to parents or carers who may be concerned about the mental health or emotional well being of a child or young person.

  • Action for Children 

    0 (203) 124 0600 Offers alternatives to adversarial court processes for families involved in separation or divorce, help for parents and carers to meet children and young people's needs during this difficult time, encouragement for shared parental responsibility in the future - promoting the emotional, physical and intellectual wellbeing of children and help for parents to improve communications between themselves regarding parenting issues, enabling them to manage any conflict.

  • Family Lives

    0 (808) 800 2222 Open 24/7 and specialises in helping parents under stress, no matter what the problem. You can offload on to them and talk through what would be best for your children.

  • Relate

    0 (300) 100 1234 Offers advice, relationship counselling, sex therapy, workshops, mediation, consultations and support face-to-face, by phone and through this website.

  •  Marriage Care

    0 (800) 389 3801 If you are facing difficult times in your marriage or relationship and need support, Marriage Care offers relationship counselling sessions at over 100 venues in England and Wales.

  • Family Mediators Association

    0 (135) 5 244 594 Family mediation is a voluntary process by which couples in dispute, particularly those going through separation or divorce, are helped to deal with arrangements for their future. NFMA has a network of over 60 not-for-profit Family Mediation Services in England and Wales offering help to couples, married or unmarried, who are in the process of separation and divorce.

  •  Gingerbread

    0 (808) 802 0925 Gingerbread is the charity which works nationally and locally, for and with single parent families, to improve their lives. We achieve change by championing their voices and needs and providing support services.

  •  Families Need Fathers 

    0 (300) 0300 363 Help with shared parenting issues arising from relationship breakdown whether you’re the mum or dad, married or unmarried.

  • Grandparents Plus 

    0 (300) 123 7015 Grandparents Plus is the national charity which champions the vital role of grandparents and the wider family in children’s lives – especially when they take on the caring role in difficult family circumstances. We do this by:- Campaigning for change so that their contribution to children’s wellbeing and care is valued and understood. Providing evidence, policy solutions and training so that they get the services and support they need to help children thrive. Advising and supporting grandparents and wider family members to ensure they have access to a holistic service, offering them professional advice, information and casework support; and by ensuring that they can have a voice and help each other, especially when they are caring for children who are not living with their parents.
Suicidal? In Danger? Go to Suicide Hotlines.