Useful helplines
Several UK helplines offer free, confidential support — from urgent health advice to emotional support at any time of day or night.
- Updated August 2026
- Clinical review pending
- 2 sources
At a glance
- NHS 111 gives urgent health advice; the Samaritans offer emotional support any time.
- In an emergency, always call 999.
On this page (2 sections)
Overview
Free, confidential helplines can help when you need advice or someone to talk to. NHS 111 provides urgent health advice, and the Samaritans offer emotional support at any time on 116 123 [1].
Getting urgent help
If you need urgent help with your mental health, you can call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option, or use 111 online [2]. You can also call the Samaritans free on 116 123 at any time, or Childline on 0800 1111 if you are under 19 [2]. If anyone’s life is at risk — for example through serious self-harm or an overdose — call 999 or go to A&E [2].
Sources
- NHS. NHS services (opens in new tab) Accessed 12 August 2026.
- NHS. Where to get urgent help for mental health (opens in new tab) Last reviewed 26 April 2023. Accessed 12 August 2026.
About this page
- Written by
- Consumer Health editorial team
- Medical review
- Pending — this page has not yet been reviewed by a named clinician. Read our medical review policy.
- Last updated
- August 2026
- Next review due
- August 2027
Important: This information is for general guidance only and does not replace professional medical advice. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. Always speak to a qualified healthcare professional — such as your GP or pharmacist — for advice about your individual circumstances, and do not start, stop or change any prescribed treatment based only on this page. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 999. Consumer Health is an independent health-information resource and is not the NHS or a government body.
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