You can ask for support for yourself as well as advice about someone else. Choose by what you need, and check the audience and area each service covers.
Someone to listen
Samaritans
UK and Ireland · Anyone struggling to cope
Someone to listen to what you are going through.
116 123
Free to call. 24 hours, every day.
Listening support, not medical treatment or an emergency service.
Shout
UK · Anyone struggling to cope
Text support if you would find it easier to write than talk.
Text SHOUT to 85258
Free to text. 24 hours, every day.
Replies may take longer when the service is busy. For immediate danger, call 999.
SANEline
UK · People aged 16 or over, including family and friends
Emotional support and information for people aged 16 or over affected by mental illness, including family and friends.
0300 304 7000
Calls may be charged. Usually 4pm to 10pm, every day.
Lines can be busy. Check the service page for changes to opening times.
The Silver Line
UK · People aged 55 and over
Friendship, conversation and support for older people.
0800 4 70 80 90
Free to call. 24 hours, every day.
A listening and conversation service; it does not replace urgent medical care.
Childline
UK · Children and young people under 19
Support with any worry, including caring for someone at home.
0800 1111
Free to call. 24 hours, every day.
Online chat and messages are also available; messages are not an immediate response service.
Practical information and advice
These services can explain options and help you find support. They do not provide emergency care or arrange an urgent assessment.
Age UK Advice Line
UK · Older people, their families, friends and carers
Advice about care, benefits and local support in later life.
0800 678 1602
Free to call. 8am to 7pm, every day.
Information and advice, not an emergency or crisis service. Ask which services cover your nation and area.
Age UK Advice Line service details and other contact options
Carers UK
UK · People providing unpaid care
Information and signposting about caring, benefits, assessments, work and services.
0808 808 7777
Free to call. Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, including bank holidays.
Detailed advice is usually by email; check the provider’s page. This is not a crisis or emotional-support line.
Rethink Advice Service
England · Adults aged 18+ with mental-illness symptoms or a diagnosis, and people supporting them
Practical advice about mental-health care, rights and services.
0808 801 0525
Free to call. Usually Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm, excluding bank holidays.
Not counselling or crisis support. Check the provider’s page for temporary changes and the topics it can advise on.
Rethink Advice Service service details and other contact options
Mind Infoline
England and Wales · People seeking mental-health information and support options
Information about mental-health problems, treatments, advocacy and nearby help.
0300 123 3393
Calls may be charged. Usually Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, excluding bank holidays.
This is the information line, separate from Mind’s emotional-support line. Check the provider’s page for temporary changes.
Support with a particular situation
Gambling support by UK nation · Domestic abuse · Bereavement · Groups and forums
For other specialist routes, browse the condition and situation guides. This is a short directory, not a list of every available service.
Sources and checking contact details
Each entry links to the provider’s own service information. Hours are usual opening times, in UK local time; check the provider for temporary closures and other contact methods. Contacting a service may involve its own privacy and safeguarding arrangements.
Age UK and Silver Line details checked: 8 October 2026. SANEline added from the shared provider record checked on 8 October 2026.
Last full source check: 7 October 2026
Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.