Urgent Help

If your life is at risk right now

Don’t hesitate

If you feel that you might be a danger to yourself or need urgent medical help, please:

Call 999 for an ambulance, or
Go straight to A&E – if you can do so safely.

If you can’t do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.

Mental health emergencies are serious. You’re not wasting anyone’s time.

If you don’t want to call 999

Text Support

(For adults and young people)

Shout 85258 provides 24/7 FREE, year-round confidential text support service any time of the day if you’re struggling to cope and need mental health support.

Access support from a trained Shout Volunteer by texting the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

If you need to talk (24/7 helplines)

The Samaritans 24/7 Phoneline –

The Samaritans are there for anyone who needs someone to listen to them. This service is for all ages – 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Call them on 116 123.

This is a FREEPHONE number that can even be called from a mobile that has no credit. Your call will not appear on the phone bill.

Connection 24/7 Phoneline for Dorset –

Connection is a 24/7 phone helpline for people of all ages in Dorset who are experiencing mental health issues and need support.

Dial 0800 652 0190 to access support.

You do not need to be known by their services, and can also phone for support and advice about a friend or family member experiencing poor mental health.

Staff are trained to support anyone who calls, regardless of the level of mental health crisis, and can signpost you or your loved one to the most appropriate service which meets your needs.

ChildLine

(For young people under 18 or adults worried about someone under 18)

ChildLine provides a confidential telephone counselling service for any child with a problem. It comforts, advises and protects. You can:

call 0800 1111 any time for free

The Mix

(For young people under 25)

The Mix provides a free confidential telephone helpline and online service that aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem. You can:

call 0808 808 4994 for free – lines are open from 11am to 11pm every day

Papyrus

(For those aged 35 and under who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, and for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide)

PAPYRUS provides advice and support for young people thinking about suicide to stay safe for now, and all their advice is confidential. They also offer guidance for concerned others and a debriefing service. You can:

Call their helpline, HOPELINE247, on 0800 068 4141

If you need to see someone in person

Local Community Front Rooms and Retreats offer face-to-face drop-ins, or online options to access support from mental health professionals

Community Front Rooms:

Community Front Rooms are open for face-to-face drop-ins and will continue to provide virtual drop-in sessions.

Both services are available Thursday-Sunday from 3.15 to 10.45pm for support at these locations:

Bridport: The Assembly Rooms, Gundry Lane, Bridport. DT6 3RL.
Shaftesbury: Unit 4-6, Ploy 25c, Longmead Industrial Estate, Shaftesbury. SP7 8PL.
Wareham: Unit 1, Leanne Business Centre, Sandford Lane, Wareham. BH20 4DY.
Weymouth: 56, St. Mary Street, Weymouth. DT4 8PP.

Access the online service here.

The Retreat:

The Retreat is open for face-to-face and virtual drop-ins for people aged 18 and over. It’s available at these times and locations:

Bournemouth: is open for face-to-face and virtual drop-ins from 4.30 to 11.30pm every day.
Address: Hahnemann House, Hahnemann Road, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH2 5JW.
Dorchester: is open for face-to-face drop-ins from 4.30 to 11.30pm Sunday-Wednesday, and virtual drop-ins from 4.30 to 11.30pm every day.
Address: 30 Maiden Castle Road, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 2ER.