Get help now

    You are not alone.

    Immediate help is available. Below you'll find emergency contacts, neurodivergent-specific support, and mental health helplines, all free and confidential.

    Emergency & Crisis Lines

    Emergency Services

    🚨 EMERGENCY
    999

    For immediate danger or life-threatening situations

    24/7

    Samaritans

    📞 CRISIS
    116 123

    Free emotional support for anyone in distress - completely confidential

    24/7
    Visit Website

    Crisis Text Line (Shout)

    📞 CRISIS
    Text SHOUT to 85258

    Free 24/7 text support - great for those who find phone calls difficult

    24/7
    Visit Website

    NHS Mental Health Crisis Team

    🏥 NHS
    111 (Press 2)

    Mental health crisis support and urgent care through NHS

    24/7

    ADHD & Autism Support

    Neurodivergent-Specific Crisis Experiences

    These organizations understand neurodivergent experiences. If you're experiencing any of the following, reach out:

    Sensory overload leading to shutdown or meltdown
    Autistic burnout - complete exhaustion from masking
    ADHD paralysis - inability to start or complete tasks
    Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria (RSD) episodes
    Executive function collapse
    Overwhelming emotional dysregulation

    ADHD UK

    Support, information and advocacy for people with ADHD

    0800 652 4912
    support@adhduk.co.uk
    Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
    Visit Website

    ADHD Foundation

    Neurodiversity charity - training, resources and support

    0151 541 9020
    info@adhdfoundation.org.uk
    Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
    Visit Website

    National Autistic Society

    UK's leading charity for autistic people - helpline and information

    0808 800 4104
    autismhelpline@nas.org.uk
    Mon-Thu 10am-4pm, Fri 9am-3pm
    Visit Website

    Autism Anglia

    Support services for autistic individuals and families

    01onal206 577678
    Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
    Visit Website

    Autistica

    Autism research charity with resources and support information

    Online resources available 24/7
    Visit Website

    Mental Health Helplines

    MIND

    Leading mental health charity - advice, support and local services

    0300 123 3393
    Text 86463
    Mon-Fri 9am-6pm
    Visit Website

    Rethink Mental Illness

    Support for people with mental illness and their families

    0808 801 0525
    Mon-Fri 9:30am-4pm
    Visit Website

    CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

    Support for anyone in crisis, especially men

    0800 58 58 58
    💬 Available on website
    Daily 5pm-midnight
    Visit Website

    Papyrus HOPELINEUK

    Prevention of young suicide - support for under 35s

    0800 068 41 41
    Text 07860 039967
    Every day 9am-midnight
    Visit Website

    Anxiety UK

    Relief and support for those living with anxiety

    03444 775 774
    Text 07537 416905
    Mon-Fri 9:30am-5:30pm
    Visit Website

    OCD Action

    Support for people affected by OCD

    0300 636 5478
    Mon-Fri 10am-5pm
    Visit Website

    Specialised Support

    Childline

    Free, private and confidential service for under 19s

    0800 1111
    24/7
    Visit Website

    YoungMinds

    Mental health support for young people and parents

    Parents: 0808 802 5544
    Young people text YM to 85258
    Mon-Fri 9:30am-4pm
    Visit Website

    The Mix

    Support for under 25s on any issue

    0808 808 4994
    Daily 4pm-11pm
    Visit Website

    SupportLine

    Emotional support for all ages on any issue

    01onal708 765200
    Mon-Fri various hours - check website
    Visit Website

    No Panic

    Support for panic attacks, phobias, OCD and anxiety

    0300 772 9844
    Daily 10am-10pm
    Visit Website

    Beat Eating Disorders

    UK eating disorder charity

    0808 801 0677
    Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Weekends 4pm-8pm
    Visit Website

    When to Seek Immediate Help

    Warning Signs of Mental Health Crisis

    Seek immediate professional help if you or someone you know is experiencing:

    Thoughts of self-harm or suicide
    Feeling completely hopeless or trapped
    Severe anxiety or panic attacks that won't stop
    Hearing voices or seeing things others don't
    Extreme mood swings affecting safety
    Complete withdrawal from everyone
    Substance abuse escalation
    Inability to care for yourself

    Immediate Self-Care Strategies

    Grounding Techniques

    5-4-3-2-1: Notice 5 things you see, 4 you hear, 3 you touch, 2 you smell, 1 you taste

    Box breathing: In for 4, hold for 4, out for 4, hold for 4

    Cold water: Hold ice or splash cold water on face

    Focus on feet: Feel the ground beneath you

    Sensory Support (for ND)

    • Find a quiet, low-stimulation space

    • Use noise-cancelling headphones

    • Stim freely - it's regulating

    • Weighted blanket or tight hug

    • Dim the lights if possible

    Reach Out

    • Text if calling feels too hard

    • Contact a trusted person

    • You don't have to explain everything

    • "I'm struggling" is enough

    • Stay with someone if possible

    Ongoing Professional Support

    If you're experiencing ongoing mental health challenges, our ADHD and autism specialists are here to provide understanding, neurodivergent-affirming support.

    • 33,000+ follow the work
    • 20k+ visits a week
    • No paid placement, ever
    • 10+ years in UK health