Helping Services
Connections offers therapeutic relationships to assist with rupture, repair, growth and change that takes place under terms of agreed contract and for 50 minutes at weekly intervals. We are not a crisis responding operation and are unable to respond in such a way.
For anyone seeking immediate help, are in overwhelm, despair, crisis and feel they are at risk of harm to themselves or others, please consider the information below as your next step:
Emergency Services (Ambulance, police, fire brigade, coastguard)
- Call 999
Crisis Services
Samaritans – for everyone
- Call - 116 123
- Email - [email protected]
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
- Call - 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day
- Visit - Visit webchat page
Papyrus – prevention of young suicide HOPELINE247
- Call - 0800 068 41 41
- Text - 07860 039967
- Email - [email protected]
Childline – for children and young people under 19
- Call - 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill
SOS Silence of Suicide – for everyone
- Call - 0808 115 1505 – 8pm to midnight Monday to Friday, 4pm to midnight Saturday & Sunday
- Email - [email protected]
Shout – for everyone
- Text - "SHOUT" to 85258
The Mix - crisis messenger service for under 25s
- Text - “THEMIX” to 85258 - Support and advice, including a crisis messenger service, email and webchat.
National Suicide Prevention Helpline – for everyone
- Call - 0800 689 5652 - lines are open every day from 6pm until midnight
Rethink Mental Illness - support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including local support groups.
- Call - 0808 801 0525
Sane - emotional support and information for anyone affected by mental health problems, including a helpline.
- Call - 0300 304 7000
Switchboard - Listening services, information and support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
- Call - 0800 0119 100
- Email - [email protected]
Mind - a voice at the end of the phone when there's nowhere else to turn.
- Call - 0300 102 1234 - 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).
Helplines Partnership - Membership body for helplines in the UK. Includes a searchable directory of services.
Hub of Hope - UK-wide mental health service database. Search for local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support. You can filter results to find specific kinds of support.
Mind Recovery Net - Publishes information on recovery colleges, including a searchable list of providers.
Relay UK - Provides a talk/type relay service for anyone who has difficulty hearing or being understood when speaking over the phone. The cost of making phone calls through this service depends on your telephone service provider.
Edinburgh Services
Edinburgh Crisis Centre – service for people who are aged 16 and over who are using or have used mental health services and are resident in the City of Edinburgh when they are facing a crisis.
- Call - 0808 801 0414 – open 24/7
- Email - [email protected]
Edinburgh Women’s Aid - Women’s Support service
- Call - 0800 027 1234 - 24-hour National Helpline
- Email - [email protected]
- Address - 4 Cheyne Street, Edinburgh, EH4 1JB
Crisis Skylight Edinburgh - supports people who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
- Call - 0131 209 7700
- Email - [email protected]
- Address - Cranston House, 271 Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8BQ
Andy’s man club - men’s suicide prevention offering free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups (UK & Edinburgh)
- Email - [email protected]
Edinburgh Blue Balls - men's mental health and cold water dipping group located in Portobello, Edinburgh
I-Thrive Edinburgh - online space for mental health and wellbeing information in Edinburgh.
Europe
Befrienders Worldwide - Worldwide directory of emotional support helplines.
Useful Apps
Who else you can contact
- Call - your GP – ask for an emergency appointment
- Call - NHS 111 or get help from NHS 111 online – they will help you find the support and help you need.
Coping Strategies
- Talk to someone you trust. Let family or friends know what's going on for you. They may be able to offer support and help keep you safe.
- There's no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what's important.
- Grounding techniques – view here.
- Breathing exercises - view here.
What else you can do
- Make a safety plan - view here.
- Seek Professional Support and consider longer term ongoing support such as counselling. You may contact us with any question around this you might have.