Support Helplines
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
Stay Alive App is a suicide prevention resource, full of useful information to help you stay safe. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide, or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.
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
Spectrum Life is free to our students and offers 24/7 access to mental health support. All calls are answered by clinically trained counsellors or psychotherapists
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
Alcohol
- Alcoholics Anonymous - 0845 7697 555
Autism
Autism
- Brain in Hand - Personalised support from your mobile phone, designed to reduce anxiety, help you feel safe, and increase independence
Bereavement
Bereavement
- Cruse Bereavement Care - Day by Day Helpline 0844 4779400 Open Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm. Young Person's freephone helpline - 0808 8081677
- Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide - National Support Helpline 0300 1115065 Open Monday - Friday 9am - 5pm. There is also an online Community Forum
Bullying
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.
Debt
Debt
- Citizens Advice
- National Debtline - 0808 8084000 24hr helpline
Depression, stress and anxiety
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
- Breath to Relax - 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
- Catch It- 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
- Happify - Techniques to help overcome stress and negative thoughts, and build resilience
- Headmeds - 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
- Not Ok - 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
- Sidebyside (formerly Elefriends) - A supportive online community to listen, share and be heard
- Shout - Free, 24/7 text support for people in crisis
- Stop, breathe, think - Short activities tuned to your emotions
- Stressheads - Turns your screen into a stress-relief tool
- Superbetter- Play to build resilience and stay strong, motivated, and positive even in the face of challenges
- Support after suicide- 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
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
- Support to keep you safe - UHI's Gender-based violence webpages contain support information to keep you safe
- Support from Specialist Services - UHI's Gender-based violence webpages contain links to Specialist Support Services for those experiencing gender-based violence
Drugs
Drugs
- Talk to Frank - National Drugs Helpline 0800 776600
Eating Relationships
Eating Relationships
- Beat - 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
Gambling
GamCare -Leading provider of information, advice, support and free counselling for the prevention and treatment of problem gambling.
Learning disabilities
Learning disabilities
Enable - Supporting people with a learning disability, and their families
Physical Health
Physical Health
Couch to 5k - Download the app or listen to weekly podcasts to help you be able run 5k in 9 weeks
MyPeriod - Download the app to find free period products near you. The website also contains information and guidance about periods
Relationships
Relationships
- The Spark - Counselling and relationship support
- Relationships Scotland - 0845 1192020
- LGBT Youth
- Madly in Love- A platform where young people can seek advice and share stories about how their mental health affects their romantic relationship
- My Horrid Parent - A website offering advice on how to deal with a difficult parent, feel better, and grow stronger
Self-harm
Self-harm
- Battle Scars - Peer support for those affected by self harm and their families, as well as other support resources
- Calm Harm- An app which provides tasks to help resist or manage the urge to self harm
- National Self Harm Network
- Mind - Self-harm
- Childline - 0800 1111
- NHS Direct - 0845 4647
Sexual Health and Wellbeing
Sexual Health and Wellbeing
- Rape Crisis Scotland - 08088 010302
- fpa Sexual Health Direct - Scotland 0141 5765088
- British Pregnancy Advisory Service - 08457 304030
- Brook Helpline - Confidential advice for under 25s - Ask Brook 0808 8021234
- Wave Getting young people across the Highlands thinking and talking about their sexual health and relationships
- Gender Based and Sexual Violence - the university support webpage for anyone who has experienced this
Sexual Health - Local Clinics
Sexual Health - Local Clinics
Clinic | Info |
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Emergency Contraception is available free from most pharmacies, and some minor injuries/A+E departments, in Scotland and medication can be taken up to 3 days (72 hours) or in some cases up to 5 days (120 hours – prescription required) after intercourse, to prevent pregnancy. An IUD (often called a coil) can be fitted up to 5 days after at some clinics and GPs to provide emergency contraceptive cover. Emergency contraception does not protect from, or treat, Sexually Transmitted Infections. |
|
01463 888300. Clinics available in Inverness, Thurso, Wick, Invergordon, Fort William, Skye, Aviemore. Live Chat for Under 25s also available online |
|
Nordhaven Clinic (Orkney) |
01856 888917 |
03453379900 Ensure you ask for the Elgin clinic, or wherever is most convenient for you |
|
01382 425542 Ensure you ask for the Perth clinic, or wherever is most convenient for you |
|
Services in Dunoon, Helensburgh, and Oban |
Smoking
Smoking
- Quit Your Way Scotland- An advice and support service for anyone trying to stop smoking
- NHS Inform: Smoking- Information on the benefits of stopping smoking and links to access support and guidance
Suicide
Suicide
The James Support Group offers support for all those affected by suicide or experiencing suicidal thoughts.