Helplines:
Whether you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one, these helplines can offer information and advice 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Life threatening emergency – 999
- NHS 111 Non-emergency medical help & info on local services – 111
- Samaritans (emotional support if you feel desperate or suicidal) – 116 125
- Alcoholics Anonymous – 0800 917 7650
- FRANK (national drugs helpline) – 03001 236600
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 08082 000247
- Shout Text Service (crisis support) Text ‘Shout’ to – 85258
Non-emergency helplines – times of operation vary
- BEAT (eating disorders) – 08088 010677
- CALM (men aged 15-35) – 0800 58 58 58
- LGBT Switchboard (LGBT helpline) – open 7 days a week 10am – 11pm – 0300 330 0630
They also have an instant messaging service - Mind Infoline – 0300 123 3393
- Mindline Trans+ (trans, non-binary support) – 0300 330 5468
- NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood) – 0808 801 0331
- Narcotics Anonymous – 0300 999 1212
- National Gambling Helpline – 0808 8020 133
- No Panic (panic attacks, OCD and phobias) – 08449 674848
- OCD UK – 0333 212 7890
- Rape Crisis – 08088 029999
- SANELine – 0300 304 7000
- Self Injury Helpline – 08088 008088
SAM – Self-help app for Anxiety Management – https://sam-app.org.uk/ – Designed to help you learn more about anxiety, build your own anxiety toolkit, and tailor your self-help to your own life.
#Stay Alive – App – https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/find-help-now/stay-alive-app/ – Create your own safety plan on your phone. Advice and tips about managing suicidal thoughts and ideas for grounding techniques and ‘reasons to stay alive’.
Calm Harm – App – https://calmharm.co.uk/ – Offers several ideas for activities to try to manage urges to self-harm, this app includes suggestions on comforting, distracting, expressing emotions, releasing, and breathing.
Hub of Hope – https://hubofhope.co.uk/ – National mental health database, brings together organisations and charities from across the country, who offer mental health advice and support, all in one app.
Links to organisations offering support on specific issues:
LGBTQ+ resources
Pink Therapy – LGBTQ+ therapy resource
Beyond the Binary – online magazine for non binary people
Gendered Intelligence – offers support services for the trans community. I am a member of their Counsellors and Therapists network
Mermaids – supports children and young people who are transgender and/or gender diverse, their families and professionals
CliniQ – holistic sexual health, mental health and wellbeing service for all trans people, partners and friends.
Spectra – LGBTQ sexual health and trans support services
LGBTQ+ and Trans support groups
London Friend – social and support groups provide a safe space away from the scene for LGBT people to come together to discuss a range of issues affecting them, including coming out and questions about sexuality. Women’s, Men’s, Non-Binary and Trans, and Intersex groups.
Spectra – groups for people of trans experience, non-binary and questioning individuals (currently online)
Alcohol & Drugs services
Smart Recovery UK – provides peer-led support groups for people wanting to change their drug or/and alcohol use
Antidote at London Friend – one of the UK’s only LGBT+ run and targeted drug and alcohol support services
Sexual health support
56 Dean Street – sexual health clinic in the heart of Soho, specialising in reducing infections and promoting sexual wellbeing amongst the LGBTQI+ community. PrEP, PEP, Trans, chemsex, STI services
SASH – Sexual health services for people who live in three London boroughs -Westminster, Hammersmith & Fulham and Kensington and Chelsea
Trauma
PODS – provides training for professionals and support for trauma survivors and their families
The Havens – anyone in London who has been raped or sexually assaulted can go to The Haven. Women, men and children can all attend. Medical help and advice, counselling, practical and emotional support. Areas: Camberwell, Paddington, Whitechapel, South London, Central London, North London
Low-cost Counselling & Therapy
The free psychotherapy network – free psychotherapy for people on low incomes and benefits
Arbours Association – low cost individual psychotherapy, London. Tel: 020 8340 7646
ELOP – LGBT counselling, social groups and support services for 25 years in East London. Tel: 020 850 93898
Suicide Prevention
If you are having thoughts about taking your own life, and feel that you are a risk to yourself then you can contact Maytree, who offer a helpline and a safe space to stay (for up to 4 nights). You can contact Maytree on 020 7263 7070.