Helplines

 Medicated by Design cannot advise about individual queries or offer any personal mental health support. If you are at all concerned about your health or the health of a friend or relative, you can contact your doctor or you may find useful information from one of the sources below.

If you need immediate help:

In an emergency:

UK

• Call 999
• Go to your local A&E department

If you're in crisis and need to speak to someone:

• Call NHS 111 (for when you need help but are not in immediate danger)
• Contact your GP and ask for an emergency appointment
• Contact the Samaritans (details below)
• Use the 'Shout' crisis text line - text SHOUT to 85258

Samaritans

• Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
• www.samaritans.org
• 116 123 (free to call from within the UK and Ireland), 24 hours a day
• Email: jo@samaritans.org

Other sources of advice and support:

• Mind: offers advice, support and information to people experiencing a mental health difficulty and their family and friends. Mind also has a network of local associations in England and Wales to which people can turn for help and assistance. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm (except bank holidays). More on Mind's Infoline opening hours over Christmas.
• Rethink Mental Illness: works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, recover a better quality of life. It provides effective services and support and campaigns for change through greater awareness and understanding.
• PAPYRUS UK: the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. They support young people under 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, as well as people concerned about someone else.
• YoungMinds: provides information and support for young people and parents.
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): a helpline for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
• Sane: provides practical help, emotional support and specialist information to individuals affected by mental health problems, their family, friends and carers.

NHS mental health services:

• Find information, advice and local services on the NHS website. You can also get advice from the NHS 111 phone service.

Other sources of mental health help and information:

• List of mental health helplines from the Helplines Partnership
• Mental Health Foundation provides useful information on a range of mental health difficulties, as well as resources to support your wellbeing
• Mentally Healthy Schools has a wide range of information for schools and teachers to support young people’s mental health
• Mental Health and Money Advice provides practical advice and support.

USA

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): provides information on prevention, treatment and symptoms of anxiety, depression and related conditions. Contact: 240-485-1001
• Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD): provides information and referrals on ADHD, including local support groups. Contact: 800-233-4050
• Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA): provides information on bipolar disorder and depression, offers in-person and online support groups and forums. Contact: 800-826-3632
• International OCD Foundation: provides information on OCD and treatment referrals. Contact: 617-973-5801
• National Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders (NCEED): provides up-to-date, reliable and evidence-based information about eating disorders. Contact: 800-931-2237
• Schizophrenia and Related Disorders Alliance of America (SARDAA): offers Schizophrenia Anonymous self-help groups and toll-free teleconferences. Contact: 240-423-9432
• Sidran Institute: helps people understand, manage and treat trauma and dissociation; maintains a helpline for information and referrals. Contact: 410-825-8888
• Treatment and Research Advancements for Borderline Personality Disorder (TARA): offers a referral center for information, support, education and treatment options for BPD. Contact: 888-482-7227
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: connects callers to trained crisis counselors. Contact: 800-273-8255

CAD

• Crisis Services Canada: call 1-833-456-4566 anytime or text 45645 from 4pm to midnight
• Hope for Wellness: phone (1-855-242-3310) or chat support for Indigenous peoples
• Kids Help Phone: online chat or call 1-800-668-6868 to speak to a counsellor
• Transgender Crisis Line: 1-877-330-6366
• Find a crisis centre in your province or territory: visit suicideprevention.ca/need-help
• ementalhealth.ca: visit the crisis and emergency section to find various crisis services in your community

International

• International Association for Suicide Prevention: visit findahelpline.com/i/iasp
• International Suicide Hotlines: visit suicide.org/international-suicide-hotlines.html

The list of mental health helplines provided may not be exhaustive, or up-to-date and it is always best to consult with a professional or check with local authorities for more information on available resources in your specific area.