National organisations offering emotional support
Emotional support can be useful if you're looking for someone to talk to as and when needed, without making a commitment, or if you feel you need support which is more regular than once-weekly psychotherapy.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 0800 917 7650, email help@aamail.org
Help with alcohol difficulties.
Webchat also available.
Anxiety UK, 03444 775 774, text: 07537 416 905
User-led national organisation run by and for those with anxiety. Services include: access to a community of like-minded people, discounted services.
Open Mon-Fri, 9.30am - 5.30pm.
BEAT eating disorders, 0808 801 0677, email help@beateatingdisorders.org.uk
Information and emotional support for people affected by eating disorders.
Open 365 days a year, 1pm–9pm during the week, 5pm–9pm on weekends and bank holidays.
Webchat also available.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), 0800 58 58 58
Confidential, anonymous and free emotional support, information and signposting to people anywhere in the UK.
Open 365 days a year, 5pm – midnight.
Webchat also available.
Carers UK, 0808 808 777, email advice@carersuk.org
Help and advice for carers in the UK.
Open Mon – Fri, 9am - 6pm.
Cruse Bereavement Care, 0808 808 1677
Emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement.
Open Mon and Fri 9.30am - 5pm, Tue - Thu 9.30am - 8pm, Sat- Sun 10am - 2pm.
Gamcare, 0808 8020 133, WhatsApp +44 20 3031 8881
GamCare was founded in 1997 by Paul Bellringer and is the leading provider of information, advice and support for anyone affected by gambling harms. They operate the National Gambling Helpline, provide structured support for anyone who is harmed by gambling, create awareness about safer gambling and treatment, and encourage an effective approach to safer gambling within the gambling industry.
Helpline open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year.
FRANK, 0300 123 6600 text: 82111, email frank@talktofrank.com
Information and confidential advice on drugs.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Live chat available on the website between 2pm – 6pm, 7 days a week.
Mencap, 0808 808 1111, email helpline@mencap.org.uk
Free helpline service offering advice and support for people with a learning disability, and their families and carers in England.
Open Mon – Fri, 10am to 3pm
Mind Infoline, 0300 123 3393, email info@mind.org.uk
Information on a range of topics such as different mental health problems, where to get help (including support in your own area), medication and alternative treatments and advocacy.
Open Mon – Fri (except bank holidays), 9am - 6pm.
No Panic, 0300 772 9844,
A helpline to support those living with panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders and other related anxiety disorders, as well as those who care for people who suffer from anxiety disorders.
Open 10am - 10pm ( 365 days of the year).
24-hour access to a recorded message for use when having a panic attack, by phone - 01952 680835, or via the website - https://nopanic.org.uk/panic-attack/
OCD-UK, 01332 588112, support@ocduk.org
Offering advice and support (not therapeutic or crisis support) to children and adults affected by Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.
Open Mon - Fri, 9am - 12pm.
Rethink Mental Illness Advice and Information Service, 0808 801 0525, email advice@rethink.org,
Practical help on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, community care, welfare benefits, and carers rights and general information on living with mental illness, medication and care.
Open Mon – Fri (excluding bank holidays), 9.30am – 4pm.
Webchat available Mon – Fri (excluding bank holidays), 10am – 1pm.
Email for a reply within 3 working days.
Samaritans, 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org
Emotional support, at any time of the day, to anyone in the UK who is in distress, including those who may feel suicidal.
Available by phone 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Email for a reply within several days.
SANEline, 0300 304 7000, email support@sane.org.uk
A national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. The helpline offers support particularly if people feel they have reached a moment of crisis.
Open - normally open every day of the year from 4pm to 10pm.
A supportive online community to talk about your mental health and connect with others who understand what you are going through. A safe place to listen share and be heard.
Available 24/7; moderated daily from 8am – midnight.
The Silver Line, 0800 4 70 80 90
Free confidential helpline for older people offering conversation and friendship, information and advice and links to local groups and services.
Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Mix, 0808 808 4994, text THEMIX to 8525
Emotional support for people aged 11 - 25.
Helpline open Mon - Sat, 4pm – 11pm.
Text service for crisis support, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Webchat also available, Mon-Sat, 4pm – 11pm.
Email via online form for a response within 24 hours (between Mon-Sat).
Triumph Over Phobia (TOP), 01225 571740, 07907 344669, email info@topuk.org
UK charity offering peer-supported self-help groups, via Zoom, to those (aged 16+) with a phobia, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) or a similar related anxiety disorder.
Emotional Support
Page last updated: 09/02/2024. All information correct at time of update but is liable to change; to ensure information is correct at time of use, contact the service you wish to use directly. Synergy Psychotherapy is not responsible for the content of any external sites and providing details of other organisations should not be seen as endorsement.