Call116 123Samaritans · free · 24 hours a day, every day, from any phone in the UK and Ireland. You do not have to be suicidal to call.TextSHOUT to 85258Free, confidential, 24/7 · if speaking out loud is too muchCall111Urgent NHS mental health support. In England, choose the mental health option. Scotland: call 111. Wales: 111, press 2. Northern Ireland: Lifeline 0808 808 8000Call999If you have seriously harmed yourself, or you cannot keep yourself safe right now · or go to A&E
Everything below this point can wait. These four can be used now, and all of them are free.
If you are worried about someone else
The instinct to avoid the subject in case you make it worse is understandable and backwards.
Ask directly
“Are you having thoughts of ending your life?” Plainly, calmly, without hedging. Asking does not plant the idea: a review of the studies that tested this found none showing an increase in suicidal ideation among people who were asked (Dazzi et al., Psychological Medicine, 2014). For many people, being asked directly is a relief.
Then listen, and do not rush to fix
“That sounds really hard” before any advice. Most people in that state need to be heard rather than solved, and the urge to immediately offer solutions usually closes the conversation.
Stay, and help them make the call
If they are willing to contact someone, sit with them while they do it rather than sending them a number. Samaritans on 116 123 will also talk to you about someone you are worried about.
If they are in immediate danger
Call 999, or take them to A&E. Do not leave them alone, and do not agree to keep it secret if you believe their life is at risk.
Look after yourself too
Supporting someone through this is heavy, and you are allowed to need support of your own. Samaritans, Mind and your own GP are all available to you, not only to them.
If you are not sure this counts
It probably does. Here is how to tell, and what to do if it is someone else.
In practice
The signals that mean this is more than a bad day
Persistent low mood for more than two weeks with real impairment to daily function. Being unable to get out of bed most days. Complete withdrawal from people. Thoughts that life is not worth living, or that others would be better off without you. These are clinical indicators, not evidence of weak coping.
In practice
Earlier is better, and you do not need to be at the bottom
Every route on this page is available to people who are struggling but functioning. Reaching for help before a crisis is what these services are for, and it is a shorter road back.
Research says
If you are worried about someone else
Ask directly and calmly. Asking about suicidal thoughts does not plant them: a review of studies that tested this found none showing an increase in suicidal ideation among people who were asked, and some evidence that being asked reduces distress. Stay with them if you can, help them make the call, and tell them you are not going anywhere. If they are in immediate danger, call 999.
Source: Dazzi, Gribble, Wessely & Fear, Psychological Medicine, 2014
Study: Systematic review of 13 studies in adolescents, adults and at-risk groups; none found an increase in suicidal ideation from being asked.
Study: Systematic review of 13 studies in adolescents, adults and at-risk groups; none found an increase in suicidal ideation from being asked.
Read more
The relevant sections of the three long-form guides. Each link opens at the right place.
Get outside help
Organisations that do this properly. Going to them is a good outcome, not a failure of this page.
Free 24/7 phone line for anyone struggling to cope. The one to use when you want to talk to a person rather than read something — they will listen without telling you what to do, and you do not have to be suicidal to call.
116 123
UK & Ireland
Free, confidential, round-the-clock crisis support by text message. Particularly useful if you cannot face speaking out loud, or if you need support somewhere you cannot make a phone call.
Text SHOUT to 85258
UK
Routes you to urgent NHS mental health support and advice. The right call when you need help today and it is more than a helpline can hold, but it is not a 999 emergency.
111 · Wales: 111 press 2
England, Scotland, Wales
Free, confidential support for anyone under 19, by phone or online chat, 24 hours a day. Also the right number if you are worried about a teenager in your household. Papyrus HopeLine 24/7, which some other pages still list, closed in September 2026 — if you are 19 or over, use Samaritans, Shout or CALM instead.
0800 1111
UK — under 19
Free, anonymous helpline and webchat, 5pm to midnight. Aimed at people who would never ring a helpline — particularly useful in the evening, when most other services have closed.
0800 58 58 58 · 5pm–midnight daily
UK, 18+
Searchable directory of free crisis lines by country. The one to use if you are outside the UK, or supporting someone who is.
International
Northern Ireland's crisis response helpline, free and open 24 hours. As well as listening, it can arrange follow-on counselling and refer into local services.
0808 808 8000
Northern Ireland
You might also need
About this page. This is an informational wellbeing resource, not clinical, legal or financial advice. Labels show how strong the basis for each statement is — see how we handle evidence. Services marked England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are not available across the whole UK.