Getting mental health help in the UK

Needing help with your mind is as normal as needing help with your body. This page gathers the main UK options in one place, from "I would like to talk to someone" to "I do not feel safe". You do not have to be sure it is serious enough. If you are wondering whether to reach out, that is reason enough.

Right now

• Emergency: 999 or A&E. If you can, do not drive yourself. Ask someone to take you, or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
• Urgent, but not an emergency: NHS 111. In England, call 111 and choose the mental health option (option 2 in most areas), or use 111 online. 111 will tell you the right place to get help, and you may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional. You can also ask for an urgent GP appointment. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own routes, so check your local NHS website.
• Want to talk? Samaritans: 116 123. Free, 24 hours a day, every day. You can talk about anything, however big or small.
• Prefer to text? Shout: text SHOUT to 85258. Free, confidential, 24/7.
• Under 19? Childline: 0800 1111. Free, and the number does not show up on the phone bill.

Support that is not an emergency

• Your GP can talk through treatments and refer you. You may not need a GP for some services.
• NHS Talking Therapies: for things like low mood, worry, panic and long-term health conditions, you can refer yourself without seeing a GP if you are 18 or over (16 or over in some areas) and registered with a GP.
• Under 18: a GP can refer you to children and young people's mental health services.
• Eating worries: Beat (England helpline 0808 801 0677, 3pm to 8pm on weekdays, plus webchat). For eating disorders, the NHS says a GP can refer you to a specialist.
• Alcohol: Drinkline, free and confidential, on 0300 123 1110.
• LGBTQ+ specific support: see our read on LGBTQ+ mental health.

When your mood follows your cycle

If your lowest days land in the week or two before your period, tell the GP. Bring two cycles of mood notes if you can (the NHS suggests this). Severe cyclical mood symptoms can be PMDD, which is treatable. If you ever feel suicidal with PMDD, the NHS says to call 999 or go to A&E.

What to say

• "I have been feeling low for more than two weeks."
• "I get really down in the week before my period."
• "I am having thoughts about harming myself."
• "I do not know what is wrong, but I do not feel like me."

A safety plan can help if you struggle with suicidal thoughts: a short list of what helps, who to call and how to make your space safer. The NHS points to the Staying Safe website and the charity Mind for templates.