This is a place to start if you are currently experiencing a difficult situation and need someone to talk to. Several services are available to assist you, but it is important to note that they operate on different schedules. Before reaching out, please check their availability to ensure you can receive the support you need.
Samaritans
Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.
We’re here every day and night of the year for anyone struggling to cope. We make sure people have somewhere to turn and support when they need it most. We work with communities to let people know we’re here for them and we campaign to make suicide prevention a priority.
DAN 24/7
The Wales Drug & Alcohol Helpline, also known as DAN 24/7 is hosted by the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board with funding provided by the Welsh Government.
DAN 24/7 is a free and bilingual telephone helpline providing a single point of contact for anyone in Wales wanting further information and / or help relating to drugs and / or alcohol. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The helpline will assist individuals, their families, carers, and support workers within the drug and alcohol field to access appropriate local and regional services.
SANE
SANE provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including carers, families and friends. SANEline remains the only out-of-hours national, specialist mental health helpline, available 365 days a year to people in crisis, those with enduring and relapsing conditions and those who care for them.
Our team of highly-trained volunteers provides listening, understanding, up-to-date information and support to callers in need and distress. Volunteer shifts are supervised at all times.
CAIS
CAIS helps people who are having problems with addictions, mental health, personal development and employment – as well as offering assistance and information to their families and friends. Our wide range of services includes residential treatment and rehabilitation, counselling, peer mentoring, supporting people in their homes, assisting people back into work or education, group work and other motivational interventions.
SHOUT
Shout is the UK’s first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone struggling to cope. We launched publicly in May 2019, and we’ve had more than 1.5 million conversations with people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need in-the-moment support.
CALL
The service provided by CALL falls into two parts. Initially the caller is offered emotional support through listening and allowing them to express their feelings regarding any crisis or situation. We also provide an information service whereby from the database we can provide contacts for agencies, both statutory and voluntary, local to the caller. Free literature is also provided on a range of symptoms, mental health problems and the services provided by particular agencies.
CALL helpline offers emotional support and information/literature on Mental Health and related matters to the people of Wales. Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service. C.A.L.L. Helpline offers a confidential listening and support service.
The website also has a search function where you can find input your postcode and your required service (e.g., eating disorders, mental health illnesses, bereavement, etc.) and it will provide a list of local and national agencies, as well as their telephone numbers.
MEIC
Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. From finding out what’s going on in your local area to help dealing with a tricky situation, Meic will listen even when no-one else will. We won’t judge you and will help by giving you information, useful advice and the support you need to make a change.