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
  • 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 content

Alcohol

Alcohol

Autism content

Autism

Autism

  • Brain in Hand - Personalised support from your mobile phone, designed to reduce anxiety, help you feel safe, and increase independence 
  • National Autistic Society - Provide advice, guidance, and support with the aim to create a society which works for autistic people
Bereavement content

Bereavement

Bereavement

Bullying content

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 content

Debt

Debt

Depression, stress and anxiety content

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
  • 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
  • Cool2Talk - A safe space for young people to get their questions answered without judgement, within 24hrs
  • 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
  • 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
  • OCD UK - The national charity run by and for people with lived experience of OCD
  • 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
  • Samaritans - 116 123 (free) or a live online webchat is also available
  • 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
  • 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
Domestic abuse content

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 
  • Brightsky - A free app providing support and information to anyone who may be in an abusive relationship, or concerned about someone they know 
  • Scottish Women's Aid - Scottish Domestic Abuse Helpline - 0800 0271234 
  • 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 content

Drugs

Drugs

Eating relationships content

Eating relationships

Eating relationships

  • Beat - 0845 6341414 or  help@b-eat.co.uk
  • Eating Disorder Advice- A national UK eating disorders organisation which offers on-going care, emotional support, and practical guidance. Helpline: 08500 122 555 Open Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5.30pm 
  • Life Works - a guide to free eating disorders helplines in the UK 
Gambling content

Gambling

Gambling

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

Learning disabilities

Learning disabilities

  • Enable - Supporting people with a learning disability, and their families
Physical health content

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 
  • Movement for Health - Supporting and inspiring those with long term health conditions to be more active
  • MyPeriod - Download the app to find free period products near you. The website also contains information and guidance about periods
  • NHS Inform Keeping Active - Information on the health benefits of exercise, with ideas on how to keep active
Relationships content

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 content

Self-harm

Self-harm

Sexual health and wellbeing content

Sexual health and wellbeing

Sexual health and wellbeing

Sexual health - local clinics content

Sexual health - local clinics

Sexual health - local clinics

Clinic Info

NHS Inform – Find A GP

NHS Inform – Find A Sexual Health Clinic

NHS Inform – Find a Pharmacy

NHS Inform – Find a Minor Injuries Unit/A+E Department

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.

Highland Sexual Health

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

Grampian Sexual Health

03453379900

Ensure you ask for the Elgin clinic, or wherever is most convenient for you 

Tayside Sexual Health

01382 425542

Ensure you ask for the Perth clinic, or wherever is most convenient for you 

Argyll & Bute Sexual Health

Services in Dunoon, Helensburgh, and Oban
Smoking content

Smoking

Smoking

Suicide content

Suicide

Suicide

  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offer advice, support, and guidance, including a helpline (5pm-midnight) and webchat
  • The James Support Group offers support for all those affected by suicide or experiencing suicidal thoughts
  • Mikeysline offer support in the Highlands via text, webchat, messenger, WhatsApp, or face-to-face (online or in-person)
  • Papyrus work for the prevention of young suicide. Contact them by phone or via text, or visit the website for support
  • Support After Suicide offer practical information and support to those who have lost a loved one to suicide

I'm in crisis