Who to call when in crisis

If you’re reading this because things feel unbearable right now, please pause here and reach out to one of the services below. You don’t need to be sure it’s “serious enough”. If you’re struggling to cope, that’s reason enough to call.

If your life is in immediate danger

Call 999, or go to your nearest A&E. Do this if you have hurt yourself, have taken something, or feel you can’t keep yourself safe.

If you need urgent help, but it isn’t an emergency

NHS 24: call 111 and choose the mental health option. In Scotland, this puts you through to the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub. It’s free, and open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

If you need someone to talk to

Samaritans: call 116 123, free, 24 hours a day, every day. You don’t have to be suicidal to call. They’re there for anyone who is struggling.

Breathing Space: call 0800 83 85 87, free. This is a Scottish listening service for anyone aged 16 and over who is feeling low, anxious or stressed. It’s open from 6pm to 2am Monday to Thursday, and runs right through the weekend, from 6pm on Friday to 6am on Monday. Webchat is available at the same times at breathingspace.scot.

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): call 0800 58 58 58, free, from 5pm to midnight every day.

If you’d rather not talk out loud

Shout: text SHOUT to 85258. It’s free, confidential and available 24 hours a day. A trained volunteer will text back.

For children and young people

Childline: call 0800 1111, free, 24 hours a day, for anyone under 19. Webchat is also available at childline.org.uk.

If you’re Deaf, hard of hearing or prefer another language

You can reach NHS 24 by textphone on 18001 111, or through the Relay UK app. BSL users can contact NHS 24 through Contact Scotland BSL. If you call 111, you can ask for an interpreter in your preferred language.

If you’re worried about someone else

You can call any of these services on someone else’s behalf. If you think their life is in immediate danger, call 999.

A note about counselling

I’m not able to offer crisis support. I can’t always reply to messages straight away, and counselling isn’t designed for emergencies. If you’re in crisis, please use the services above first. When things feel a little steadier, I’d be glad to hear from you about working together.

You don’t have to carry this on your own.

Breathing Space: Need help now? NHS inform: Mental health services at NHS 24 NHS 24: Support for your mental health Zero Suicide Alliance: Urgent help Shout 85258

[Numbers checked October 2026]