There is help for you, and recovery is possible.
It is okay not to be okay.
What is Shout?
Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope.
To start a conversation, text the word “SHOUT” to 85258. The trained volunteers are available to listen at any time of day or night, and messages won’t appear on your phone bill.
How does it work?
- Send a text (not WhatsApp!) saying “LET IT OUT” to 85258
- You will be connected to a volunteer. It takes about 5 minutes, but can be longer during busy times.
- The volunteer will introduce themselves and ask what you’d like to talk about.
- Text back and forth, sharing what you’re comfortable with.
- As well as listening without judgement, a volunteer may give you resources or tools to help you get more support.
What can SHOUT help with?
Some of the most common reasons people text SHOUT include:
- Abuse
- Anxiety
- Discrimination
- Feeling low or depressed
- Identity issues
- Relationship problems
- Thoughts of suicide
Alcoholics Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves getting sober with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 917 7650 (24-hour helpline)
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Al-Anon
Al-Anon is a free self-help “12 step” group for anyone whose life is or has been affected by someone else’s drinking
Phone: 0800 0086 811 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
Drinkline
A free confidential helpline for people worried about their own or someone else’s drinking.
Phone: 0300 123 1110 (weekdays 9am to 8pm, weekends 11am to 4pm)
National Association for Children of Alcoholics
National Association for Children of Alcoholics offers free confidential advice and information to everyone affected by a parent’s drinking including children, adults and professionals.
Phone: 0800 358 3456 (Friday, Saturday and Monday 12pm to 7pm and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 12pm to 9pm)
SMART Recovery UK
SMART Recovery UK face-to-face and online groups help people decide whether they have a problem with alcohol and drugs, build up their motivation to change, and offer a set of proven tools and techniques to support recovery.
Phone: 0330 053 6022 for general enquiries about SMART Recovery UK (9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday)
Cocaine Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using cocaine and all other mind-altering substances with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0800 612 0225 (daily, 10am to 10pm)
FRANK
Free, confidential information and advice about drugs, their effects and the law. FRANK’s live chat service runs daily from 2pm to 6pm.
Phone: 0300 1236600 (24-hour helpline)
Text a question to: 82111
Marijuana Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using marijuana with the help of regular face-to-face and online support.
Phone: 0300 124 0373 (callback service)
www.marijuana-anonymous.org.uk
Narcotics Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping using drugs with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0300 999 1212 (daily, 10am to midnight)
Gamblers Anonymous
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme involves stopping gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups.
Phone: 0330 094 0322 (24-hour)
Gam-Anon
A free self-help group. Its “12 step” programme is for those affected by someone else’s gambling with the help of regular face-to-face and online support groups. Phone: 08700 50 88 80
National Gambling Helpline
Phone: 0808 8020 133 (daily, 8am to midnight)
National Problem Gambling Clinic
A specialist NHS clinic for problem gamblers aged 13 and over.
Phone: 020 7381 7722 (call back)
Anxiety UK
Charity providing support if you have been diagnosed with an anxiety condition.
Phone: 03444 775 774 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5.30pm)
Bipolar UK
A charity helping people living with manic depression or bipolar disorder.
Black Minds Matter
Black Minds Matter’s mission is to connect Black individuals and families with mental health services by professional Black therapists to support their mental health. To make this happen, they want to make mental health topics more relevant and accessible for Black people in the UK.
Calm
CALM is the Campaign Against Living Miserably, for men, and more recently, for anyone who needs help and support. CALM is leading a movement against suicide. Anyone can hit crisis point. CALM runs free and confidential helpline and webchat-7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems.
Phone: 0800 585858 (daily, 5pm-midnight)
Eating disorders
Beat – Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) or 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s)
ILPA
Additional support and information for wellbeing.
Mental Health Foundation
Provides information and support for anyone with mental health problems or learning disabilities.
Mind
Promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems.
Phone 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm)
Men’s Health Forum
24/7 stress support for men by text, chat and email.
No Panic
Voluntary charity offering support for sufferers of panic attacks and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Offers a course to help overcome phobia or OCD.
Phone: 0844 967 4848 (daily, 10am to 10pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access Charge.
OCD Action
Support for people with OCD. Includes information on treatment and online resources.
Phone: 0845 390 6232 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 5pm). Calls cost 5p per minute plus your phone provider’s Access
OCD UK
A charity run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Includes facts, news and treatments.
Phone: 0333 212 7890 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
PAPYRUS
Young suicide prevention society.
Phone: HOPE line UK 0800 068 4141 (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm, and 2pm to 5pm on weekends)
PTSD UK
Charity raising awareness of PTSD, with guidance and information available.
PTSD Support
Non-judgemental safe spaces with regular group meet ups. Confidential listening service. Recovery help. With free online support available.
Rethink Mental Illness
Support and advice for people living with mental illness.
Phone: 0300 5000 927 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4pm)
Samaritans
Confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone: 116 123 (free 24-hour helpline)
SANE
Emotional support, information and guidance for people affected by mental illness, their families and carers. Textcare: comfort and care via text message, sent when the person needs it.
