Extra Support
The other things that hurt your mental health — housing, substances, money, abuse, food. Free, confidential UK national lines, none of them mental-health specialists, all of them experienced in working alongside one.
You don't need a referral or diagnosis. You can call from a withheld number. None of these services pass your details to anyone without your consent.
Housing & homelessness
If you're homeless, sleeping rough, or worried about losing your home — these services are free and confidential.
Shelter (England)
Emergency housing advice line. Talk to a qualified adviser if you're homeless, threatened with eviction, or sleeping rough.
8am to 8pm Mon–Fri, 9am to 5pm Sat–Sun
Crisis UK
Year-round support for people experiencing homelessness — Skylight centres, online advice, and progression coaching toward stable housing.
9am to 5pm Mon–Fri
Centrepoint Helpline
16–25Free helpline for 16–25-year-olds at risk of homelessness. Will help you understand your options and contact your local council.
9am to 5pm Mon–Fri
StreetLink
If you see someone sleeping rough, send their location and a description through StreetLink. Outreach teams will visit and offer help.
Reports any time; outreach response varies
Drugs & alcohol
Free, non-judgemental support whether the worry is yours or someone else's. None of these services share information without your consent.
FRANK
Honest, non-judgemental information and confidential support for anyone worried about drugs — for themselves or someone else.
24 hours, every day
We Are With You
Free, confidential support with drugs, alcohol or mental health. Webchat, local services, and family support — including for under-18s.
Webchat 9am to 9pm Mon–Fri, 10am to 4pm Sat–Sun
Alcohol Change UK
Information, self-assessment tools, and signposting to local alcohol services across the UK. Behind Dry January and Sober Spring.
Online, any time
Alcoholics Anonymous (UK)
Free 24/7 helpline plus thousands of in-person and online meetings across the UK. Anonymous; no commitment beyond the next meeting.
24 hours, every day
Narcotics Anonymous (UK)
Free helpline + UK-wide meetings for anyone struggling with drug addiction. Anonymous; no commitment beyond the next meeting.
10am to midnight, every day
SMART Recovery UK
Self-management addiction recovery groups using CBT-based tools. UK-wide in-person + online meetings, free.
Meetings throughout the week
Adfam
For families and friends of people with drug or alcohol problems. Online resources, peer support and a service finder.
Online, any time
DrugFAM
Bereavement support for anyone who has lost someone to addiction, plus support for those still living with a loved one's addiction.
9am to 9pm, every day
Domestic & sexual abuse
If you're in immediate danger, call 999. The lines below are confidential and won't push you to leave before you're ready.
National Domestic Abuse Helpline (Refuge)
WomenFree, confidential, 24/7 specialist support for women experiencing domestic abuse, and for friends, family, and professionals.
24 hours, every day
Men's Advice Line
MenConfidential helpline for men experiencing domestic abuse from a partner or ex-partner — including in same-sex relationships.
10am to 8pm Mon–Fri
Galop (LGBT+ helpline)
LGBT+National LGBT+ domestic abuse helpline. Also covers hate crime, sexual violence, and so-called conversion practices.
10am to 8.30pm Mon–Thu, 10am to 4.30pm Fri
Karma Nirvana
Specialist support for victims of honour-based abuse and forced marriage. Confidential, multi-lingual where needed.
9am to 5pm Mon–Fri
Respect Phoneline
Confidential helpline for people who use abusive behaviour and want to stop. Non-judgemental, accountability-focused.
10am to 5pm Mon, Wed, Fri; 10am to 8pm Tue, Thu
Rape Crisis England & Wales
24/7 specialist sexual-violence support line. Talk to a trained female adviser. Webchat also available.
24 hours, every day
Debt & money
Free, regulated debt advice. Talking to a debt adviser doesn't affect your credit file and can usually pause the calls and letters.
StepChange
UK's largest free debt-advice charity. Full debt assessment over the phone or online — they'll set up a plan with your creditors.
8am to 8pm Mon–Fri, 9am to 2pm Sat
National Debtline
Free, confidential debt advice from trained advisers. Webchat or phone; sample letters and budget tools online.
9am to 8pm Mon–Fri, 9.30am to 1pm Sat
Citizens Advice
Free, independent advice on debt, benefits, housing, work, family — anything that's gone wrong. In-person, phone, webchat.
9am to 5pm Mon–Fri
Turn2us
Benefits calculator, grant search, and crisis-grant signposting. If money isn't reaching the basics, start here.
Online, any time
MoneyHelper
Free, government-backed money guidance — pensions, debt, benefits, mortgages. Phone, webchat, WhatsApp.
8am to 6pm Mon–Fri
Food poverty
If money is tight this week, food banks are here. Most networks have moved past needing a referral — many will welcome you in.
Trussell Trust food banks
Find your nearest food bank in the Trussell Trust network. Most banks need a referral — Citizens Advice or your GP can issue one.
9am to 5pm Mon–Fri
Independent Food Aid Network (IFAN)
Directory of independent food banks across the UK — many do not require a referral and welcome walk-ins.
Online, any time
FareShare
Local community food projects supplied by FareShare. Many run pay-as-you-feel pantries and meal projects.
Online directory; project hours vary
Veterans, bereavement, carers, LGBT+
Specialist lines for situations that touch mental health: military service, bereavement, the work of caring, and LGBT+ identity.
Combat Stress
Veterans + familiesMental-health charity for UK veterans. 24/7 helpline, treatment programmes, and support for families.
24 hours, every day
Cruse Bereavement Support
Grief support after any kind of loss. Free helpline, online community, and local groups for adults and children.
9.30am to 5pm Mon, Fri; 9.30am to 8pm Tue–Thu; 10am to 2pm Sat–Sun
Carers UK
Advice and support for unpaid carers — benefits, rights, respite, and online community. The work of caring is hard; you don't have to do it alone.
9am to 6pm Mon–Fri
Switchboard (LGBT+)
LGBT+Confidential listening service for LGBT+ people on any topic — coming out, isolation, identity, sexuality, discrimination.
10am to 10pm, every day
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental-health support, call NHS 111 and choose option 2.