Help in a Crisis

If you are struggling and need urgent support whether financially, emotionally, or with housing, there is help available.

National Support

Immediate Emergency Help

  • Emergency Services (Life at risk): Call 999 or go to A&E immediately.
  • Mental Health Crisis (Urgent, not 999): Call 111 and select the mental health option (Option 2) to speak to a trained professional 24/7.
  • Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free, 24/7 emotional support.
  • Shout Crisis Text Line: Text "SHOUT" to 85258 for 24/7 text support. 

Crisis Helplines

  • CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): 0800 58 58 58 (5pm - midnight daily).
  • Papyrus HOPELINE247 (Under 35s): 0800 068 4141 / Text 07860 039967 (24/7).
  • SANEline (Mental Health Support): 0300 304 7000 (4pm-10pm daily).
  • Childline: 0800 1111 (For children and young people).
  • Switchboard LGBT+: 0800 0119 100 (10am-10pm daily). 

Emergency Shelter & Housing Support

  • Shelter Emergency Helpline: 0808 800 4444 (9am-6pm, Mon-Fri).
  • Local Council: If you are homeless or threatened with homelessness, your local council has a legal duty to help.
  • Refuge (Domestic Abuse): 0808 2000 247 (24/7). 

Other Support

  • Food Banks (Trussell Trust): 0808 208 2138 (Free, 9am-5pm, Mon-Fri).
  • Debt Advice (Citizens Advice): 0808 223 1133

 

Local Area Support

Regional Emergency & Crisis Support

  • NHS Mental Health (All Areas): Call 111 (Option 2) for urgent, 24/7 mental health crisis support.
  • Emergency: 999 for immediate danger to life.
  • Samaritans: 116 123 (Free, 24/7). 

Merseyside (Liverpool, Wirral, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton, Halton) 

  • Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust: 24/7 crisis support via NHS 111.
  • Crisis Cafes (Liverpool & Sefton): Safe spaces for mental health support, including Liverpool Light (0300 323 0197) and Sefton Crisis Cafe (01744 20032).
  • Crisis Skylight Merseyside: Support for homelessness and related crises (0151 218 7000, 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM, Mon-Fri).
  • Careline (Out of Hours): 0151 233 3800. 

Greater Manchester

  • Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Crisis Care: 24/7 helpline 0800 953 0110.
  • Listening Lounge: 1:1, support for emotional distress (1-3 PM, Mon-Fri).
  • Community Crisis Response (North Manchester): 7 days a week, 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM (0161 667 3292).
  • Manchester Mind: Urgent support options and local advice.
  • Kooth: Online mental health support for young people (11-18). 

Cheshire & Wirral

  • Cheshire & Wirral Partnership (CWP) NHS Trust: 24/7 urgent help via 111 (Option 2).
  • Crewecial Crisis Cafe: Safe space for emotional distress. 

Lancashire & South Cumbria

  • Mental Health Crisis Line: 0800 953 0110 (24/7 support).