Crisis helplines

If you’re in crisis and need to talk urgently, these helplines are staffed by trained people who are ready to listen:

Samaritans
Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call 116 123 (free from any phone) or email jo@samaritans.org
www.samaritans.org

SANEline
Telephone helpline for anyone experiencing a mental health problem, including family, friends and carers. Call 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm daily).
www.sane.org.uk

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
24-hour helpline for anyone with thoughts of suicide. Call 0800 689 5652
www.spbristol.org

Papyrus HOPELineUK
Confidential support and advice for young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or those concerned about them. Call 0800 068 4141, text 07860039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
www.papyrus-uk.org

Switchboard
Telephone helpline for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+. Call 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm daily), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service.
www.switchboard.lgbt

Shout 85258
24-hour text support service for anyone who is feeling anxious, stressed or overwhelmed. Text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258.
www.giveusashout.org

Refuge
National helpline for anyone experiencing domestic abuse. Call 0808 2000 247 (24-hour helpline)
www.refuge.org.uk

Helplines Partnership
For a directory of UK helplines:
www.helplines.org/helplines‍ ‍

Other services

Alcoholics Anonymous
For those who need help with a drinking problem. Call free on 0800 9177 650 (24hr helpline), email help@aamail.org or use the webchat service.
www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Anxiety UK
Support for those affected by anxiety and stress. Call 03444 775 774, text 07537 416905 or email support@anxietyuk.org.uk
www.anxietyuk.org.uk

Bipolar UK
Support for people affected by bipolar.
www.bipolaruk.org

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
Support service for men aged 15 to 35. Call 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight daily) or use their webchat service.
www.thecalmzone.net

Cruse Bereavement Support
A support service for those who are struggling with grief and bereavement. Call 0808 808 1677or use their webchat service.www.cruse.org.uk

Mind
Advice and support for anyone experiencing a mental health problem, including friends and family. Call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 or email info@mind.org.ukwww.mind.org.uk

OCD UK
Advice, information, and support service run by people with OCD, for people with OCD. Call 01332 588112.
www.ocduk.org

PARAGON
A specialist domestic abuse, sexual violence and stalking team empowering change for individuals, families and communities. The Dragonfly Project develops community-based support for people affected by domestic abuse. Dragonfly Champions are trained to provide a listening ear and a link to domestic abuse support agencies, helping people who are isolated access support.
T. 01329 825930
E. enquiries@theyoutrust.org.uk
W. paragonteam.org.uk
Dragonfly Project: paragonteam.org.uk/dragonfly-project

Rape Crisis UK
For those who have experienced sexual abuse, rape or any kind of sexual violence. Call 0808 802 9999 or use the webchat service.
www.rapecrisis.org.uk

Local Resources

Dorset All Age Eating Disorders Service
This service is designed to help individuals and their families/carers overcome a range of eating disorders, including anorexia and bulimia nervosa. It treats people of all ages from across Dorset, including Bournemouth and Poole.
T. 0300 019 1771
E. dhc.eatingdisorders@nhs.net
W. dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services-hospitals/mental-health/eating-disorders
Address: Kimmeridge Court, St Ann’s Hospital

Over the Rainbow LGBT Centre
Drop-in advice, support and information centre for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community of Dorset. A counselling service is available to discuss problems in a safe, confidential space with a qualified professional counsellor, helping you to see things from a different perspective, think and act more productively, and feel more confident in yourself.
T. 07788 415522
E. overtherainbow2@dchft.nhs.uk
W. rainbowbournemouth.co.uk/index
Address: The Shores, 5 Madeira Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1QQ

The Retreat (Bournemouth and Dorchester)
Open to anyone aged 18 or above, providing a safe space to seek face-to-face help and support out of hours. Staffed by mental health professionals and peer specialists. There is no referral or appointment needed, just turn up. See the website for up-to-date opening times or information about virtual support.
W. dorsethealthcare.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/our-services-hospitals/mental-health/retreat

Sexual Trauma and Recovery Services (STARS Dorset)
Supports anyone who lives, works or studies in Dorset and has been affected by any form of sexual trauma at any time in their life. It does not have to be a recent incident and does not have to have occurred in the county.
T. 01202 308855
E. enquiries@stars.cjsm.net
W. www.starsdorset.org (live chat available)

Therapist directories

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
www.bacp.co.uk

UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP)
www.psychotherapy.org.uk

Counselling Directory
www.counselling-directory.org.uk