If you need to talk to someone right now.
If your life or someone else's is at risk right now, call 999. The operator can dispatch police, ambulance, or fire.
A tarot reading is reflective. It isn't a substitute for crisis support, professional medical care, or specialist services. The 47 numbers below are free (most are free even from mobiles), confidential, and run by trained people. None of them require payment, registration, or pretending you're sure you need them.
Last updated May 2026 · UK numbers only
Mental health and suicide
If you're struggling with thoughts of suicide or feeling overwhelmed, you don't have to wait for an emergency.
Samaritans
Free, confidential support, 24/7, for anyone in emotional distress. The most-recommended first call.
24/7
Hopeline (Papyrus)
Suicide prevention for people under 35 and anyone worried about a young person.
9am to midnight every day
Mind (Mental Health)
Information and support for mental health concerns. Local services finder included.
9am to 6pm, Mon to Fri
Shout (text-based)
Free text-message-only crisis support, 24/7. Useful if speaking on the phone feels too much.
24/7
Text SHOUT to 85258NHS 111 (option 2 for mental health)
Free NHS line. Pressing 2 routes you to a local mental health crisis team.
24/7
Domestic abuse and sexual violence
These calls don't show up on most phone bills. Most lines are also free from any mobile.
Refuge · National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Free, confidential, 24/7 line for women experiencing domestic abuse. Can also call on behalf of someone else.
24/7
Women's Aid (Domestic Violence)
Information, support, and safety planning for anyone affected by domestic abuse.
Men's Advice Line
Confidential support for men experiencing domestic abuse from a partner, ex-partner, or family member.
10am to 8pm, Mon to Fri
Galop (LGBT+ domestic abuse)
Specialist support for LGBT+ people facing abuse or hate crime.
Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre (RASASC)
Specialist support for survivors of any kind of sexual violence, regardless of when it happened.
Rape Crisis England and Wales
24/7 helpline for women and girls affected by rape, sexual abuse, and sexual violence.
24/7
Survivors UK (men and boys)
Specialist support for men and boys who have experienced sexual violence at any point in their lives.
Children and young people
Anyone can call on a child's behalf. If a child is in immediate danger, call 999.
Childline
Free, confidential support for anyone under 19 about anything that's worrying them.
24/7
NSPCC Helpline
For adults concerned about a child's welfare. Anonymous if you prefer.
24/7
The Mix (under 25s)
Information and support for under-25s on anything from relationships to mental health to housing.
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
Text-based crisis support for young people. Free and 24/7.
24/7
Text YM to 85258Missing People
For people who are missing, away from home, or worried about someone who is.
24/7
Substance use
These services don't require you to be ready to stop. They'll talk through where you are.
Frank
Confidential information and advice on any drug. Free, 24/7. Text 82111 for messages.
24/7
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
Free national helpline. Will connect you to a local meeting if you'd like.
24/7
Smokers Quit Line (NHS Smokefree)
NHS stop-smoking line with personal advisors. Free.
9am to 8pm, Mon to Fri; 11am to 4pm weekends
The Perry Clayman Project (drug and alcohol rehab)
Free admissions line for residential rehab, day care, and aftercare.
Adfam (families)
Support specifically for family members and friends affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use.
Bereavement and grief
Grief can return long after the loss. None of these lines have a time limit on how long ago the bereavement was.
Cruse Bereavement Care
Free, confidential support for anyone grieving. Includes specialist support for children and young people.
Mon to Fri, hours vary by day; see website
The Compassionate Friends (bereaved parents)
Peer support for parents who have lost a child of any age.
Sands (stillbirth and neonatal death)
Specialist support for bereavement before and around birth.
Miscarriage Association Helpline
Information and support for anyone affected by miscarriage or pregnancy loss.
Widowed and Young (WAY)
Peer support for people widowed under the age of 50.
via website · contact@widowedandyoung.org.uk
Sexual and reproductive health
These services are confidential. Doctors and nurses don't pass information to your GP unless you ask.
Brook Sexual Health (under 25s)
Free, confidential sexual health advice for under-25s.
NHS Sexual Health Helpline
NHS information line for sexual health and contraception.
FPA (Family Planning Association · pregnancy choices)
Information on pregnancy options including abortion, continuing pregnancy, and adoption.
Hate crime and discrimination
Hate crime can be reported anonymously. You don't need to know who did it to file a report.
Stop Hate UK
24/7 hate crime reporting line. Independent from the police.
24/7
LGBT Switchboard
Confidential support and information for LGBT+ people, families, and friends.
10am to 10pm every day
Tell MAMA (anti-Muslim hate)
Specialist reporting and support for anti-Muslim hate.
Community Security Trust (antisemitic incidents)
24/7 line for reporting antisemitic incidents in the UK.
24/7
Money, housing, and legal
These services give free, independent advice. They do not charge fees and don't sell financial products.
National Debtline
Free, independent debt advice. Not affiliated with creditors or insolvency firms.
9am to 8pm Mon to Fri; 9:30am to 1pm Sat
StepChange Debt Charity
Free debt advice. Confidential, non-judgemental, no products sold.
Citizens Advice
Free legal, financial, housing, and consumer advice. England-wide.
Shelter (housing)
Free emergency housing helpline. Eviction, homelessness, repairs, deposit disputes.
8am to 8pm Mon to Fri; 9am to 5pm weekends
Refugee Council
Information and support for refugees and people seeking asylum.
National Accident Helpline
Free legal advice for personal injury claims. No upfront fees.
Other support
If you can't find what you need here, Samaritans (116 123) can talk through anything · they're the closest thing the UK has to a universal listening service.
Alzheimer's Society
Information and support for anyone affected by dementia, including carers and family members.
Helping Hands (live-in care)
Specialist information line on home care and live-in care options.
Victim Support
Free, confidential support for victims of any crime, whether or not it's been reported to police.
24/7
BEAT (eating disorders)
Helpline for anyone affected by an eating disorder. Adults, youth, and student-specific lines.
Macmillan Cancer Support
Free support for anyone affected by cancer · patients, families, friends, carers.
8am to 8pm every day
Carers UK
Advice and support for unpaid carers looking after a family member or friend.
Age UK
Free information for older people and those concerned about them.
How we picked these
This list focuses on UK helplines that are free at the point of use, confidential, and run by established organisations with safeguarding policies. We've left off services that charge per minute, services that exist mainly to upsell into paid products, and small or unverified operators. If you think a number is missing or we've got something wrong, email editorial@booktarot.com.
BookTarot publishes this list as a public service. We are not affiliated with the organisations above and don't receive any payment from them. Numbers and opening hours can change · check the organisation's own website for the current line if you're calling from a phone where redirection might cost.