Support helplines

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This is not an exhaustive list of helplines. If you know of a good helpline let us know by emailing us at support@uhi.ac.uk. Please remember that we are not responsible for the content of external websites.

If you are concerned someone might check what websites you visit, find out about web safety.

If you are worried someone may be suicidal, ask them. It could save their life. Choose Life (Suicide Prevention in Scotland) have produced a guide which gives advice and tips on spotting suicidal signs, and listening effectively. It also contains details of support groups and organisations which can provide further help and assistance; Art of Conversation: A Guide to Listening, Talking, and Reducing Stigma

Breathing Space Scotland, is a free and confidential phoneline service for any individual, who is experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to.

0800 83 85 87 Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 6pm - 2am, Friday 6pm - Monday 6am

Big White Wall, is an online digital mental health support service which is available to our students, 24/7, and is completely anonymous.

Kooth, provides free, safe, and anonymous online support for young people, with access to counsellors during opening hours. There are also articles written by young people, and support from the Kooth Community.

Opening hours: Monday - Friday 12pm - 10pm, Saturday - Sunday 6pm - 10pm

Orcha, have reviewed thousands of health-related apps and handpicked the best. You can enter keywords to search for what you need.

Health Talk, have videos from thousands of people who have shared their experience of what it's like to have a health condition. You can search by name, or there is an A-Z list.

Young Minds, are the UK's leading charity for children and young people's mental health

Alcohol

Autism

  • Brain in Hand - Personalised support from your mobile phone, designed to reduce anxiety, help you feel safe, and increase independence

Bereavement, Loss and Grief

  • Cruse - Day by Day Helpline 0844 4779400 Open Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm. Young Person's freephone helpline - 0808 8081677

Bullying

  • Anti-Bullying Alliance - A coalition of organisations and individuals, working to stop bullying and create safer environments for children and young people
  • National Bullying Helpline - 0845 2255787 Open Monday - Friday 10am - 4pm, Saturday 10am - 2pm
  • Stand Up To Bullying - Advice and guidance from the campaign behind the annual UK Stand Up To Bullying Day.

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Depression, Stress and Anxiety

  • Anxiety UK - National charity helping people with anxiety
  • Aura - An app to help you manage your emotions and get restful sleep, including a daily 3 minute moment of mindfulness
  • Aye Mind - Improving the mental health of young people by making better use of the internet, social media, and mobile technologies
  • Blurt - Increasing awareness and underestanding of depression, and providing dedicated support
  • Breathe2Relax - A stress management tool to help you learn breathing techniques for stress control
  • Buddhify - A meditation and mindfulness app, for use on the go
  • CAM Crisis Messenger - Text service providing free 24/7 crisis support. Text CAM to 85258
  • Catchit - An app which teaches you to look at problems in a different way, and turn negative thoughts into positive ones
  • Cool2Talk - A safe space for young people to get their questions answered without judgement, within 24hrs
  • Choose Life - Suicide prevention in Scotland
  • Daylio - Records your moods and activities to help you understand and improve your habits
  • Elefriends - A supportive online community to listen, share and be heard
  • Happify - Techniques to help overcome stress and negative thoughts, and build resilience
  • Head Meds - Giving young people general information about mental health medication which may have been prescribed
  • Headspace - An app which makes meditation simple
  • MIND - National Association for Mental Health information line - 08457 660163 (local rate)
  • MoodFit - Improve your mood fitness
  • My Possible Self - An app which helps you take control of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviour
  • NotOK - An app which allows you to push a button and alert your trusted contacts that you are not OK, and gives them your GPS location
  • OCD UK - The national charity run by and for people with lived experience of OCD
  • Omvana - Find a meditation for any situation
  • Panic Shield - A paced breathing tool to help you calm down before or during a panic attack
  • Papyrus - Preventing young suicide
  • SAD - Seasonal Affective Disorder support and advice
  • SAMH - For Scotland's mental health
  • Shout - Free, 24/7 text support for people in crisis
  • Stop, Breathe, and Think - Short activities tuned to your emotions
  • Stress Heads - Turns your screen into a stress-relief tool
  • Super Better - Play to build resilience and stay strong, motivated, and positive even in the face of challenges
  • Support After Suicide Partnership - Supporting people who have been bereaved or affected by suicide
  • The CALM Zone - Preventing male suicide
  • The Mix - The UK's leading support service for young people under 25, from health to money to dealing with break-ups, and more
  • The Samaritans - 116 123 (free) or a live online webchat is also available
  • Thrive - Game based app which helps you relax and manage stress and anxiety

Domestic Abuse

  • Abused Men In Scotland – This is a national organisation working with men who have experienced or are experiencing domestic abuse. Freephone from 7pm – 10pm 0808 8000024
  • Scottish Women's Aid
  • Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0800 0271234
  • Domestic Violence UK - A not-for-profit organisation set up to provide information, support and raise awareness on the issues of domestic and emotional abuse. Includes a free telephone counselling service
  • Brightsky - A free app providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship, or concerned about someone they know

Drugs

Eating Relationships

  • b-Eat - 0845 6341414 or help@b-eat.co.uk
  • Anorexia and Bulimia Care - A national UK eating disorders organisation which offers on-going care, emotional support, and practical guidance. Helpline: 03000 111213 Open Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm
  • Life Works - a guide to free eating disorders helplines in the UK

Gambling

  • GamCare -Leading provider of information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.

Learning Disabilities

  • Enable UK - Supporting people with a learning disability, and their families

Physical Health

  • Couch to 5K - Download the app or listen to weekly podcasts to help you be able run 5k in 9 weeks

Relationships

Self Harm

Sexual Health and Wellbeing

Smoking