Helplines
In moments of need, there’s always someone there for you.
Before calling a helpline, check the opening times by clicking to their website. It can help to check if the call is free or if there’s a cost involved before calling.
Ask the helpline listener what their confidentiality policy is before speaking with them, so you know what they’re required to do if a caller is suicidal.
If the line is busy, you can check if they offer a web chat or text service, or you can browse for a different service below.
Join The Conversation
If you’ve used a helpline and would be like to share your experience with others, please do get in touch. Your experience can help others who are seeking helpline support. If there is a helpline missing that you know of, let us know here.
GENERAL HELPLINES
Abuse
Refuge
0808 2000 247
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
A national support service for women experiencing domestic violence or for family or friends calling on someone else’s behalf.
Rape Crisis
0808 802 9999
You will be put through to a Support Worker who will speak with you in complete confidence.
Addictions
UK Narcotics Anonymous
0300 999 1212
Helpline for addicts who wants to top using and need support remaining drug free.
The National Gambling Helpline
0808 8020 133
You can speak with our Advisers one-to-one over the phone or on live chat 24 hours a day, every day of the year. We will listen to what is going on for you, and talk through options for support in your local area, online or over the phone.
Al-Anon Family Groups
028 9068 2368
Helpline for supporting families and friends of problem drinkers.
Bereavement
The Compassionate Friends
0288 77 88 016
Helpline and support services run by bereaved parents. Support to parents and their immediate families after the death of a child/children of any age and from any cause.
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide
0300 111 5065
National Helpline and other support services run by a self help group for people bereaved by suicide.
Cruse Bereavement Care
0808 808 1677
Helpline offering listening support and practical advice related to bereavement, including dealing with an estate, debt and arranging a funeral.
Child Death Helpline
0800 282 986
As bereaved parents, we know how it feels to lose a child and we’re here when you want to talk.
Barnardos Child Bereavement Service
07867372711
Barnardo’s CBS advice line offers professional support and guidance to any adult concerned about a bereaved child or young person.
Monday, Tuesday, Friday 10am-1pm
Cancer
Children & Young People
Kidscape Campaign for Childrens Safety
020 7823 5430
Parents Advice Line for parents of children who are being bullied.
Childline
0800 1111
You can contact Childline about anything. Whatever your worry, it's better out than in. We're here to support you. There are lots of different ways to speak to a Childline counsellor or get support from other young people.
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders Association NI
02890235959
EDA offers support, advocacy and training services to eating disorder sufferers, their loved ones, professionals and the general public. The peer support service is free and confidential.
24/7 365 Days
Beat Eating Disorders
0808 801 0434
You are never alone with your eating disorder. We are here to support people who have or are worried they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members.
Anorexia & Bulimia Care ABC
03000 11 12 12
Option 1: Support line
Option 2:Family and Friends
Their support line offers emotional support and guidance for anyone affected with by an eating disorder, including individuals, families or friends.
Finance
Money Helper
08001387777
Whatever your circumstances or plans, MoneyHelper is on your side. Online and over the phone, you will get clear money and pension guidance. We can also point you to trusted services if you need more support.
Monday - Friday 8am-6pm, excluding bank holidays
Make the Call
08002321271
Talk to us about accessing benefits, supports and services you may be entitled to. Don’t rule yourself out. Even if you already claim benefits, own your own home, work, claim a pension, or have some savings, you could be entitled to additional support.
Employers for Childcare
0800 028 3008
Our charity provides free, impartial and confidential advice to parents on the financial support available towards childcare costs as well as other help that you may be entitled to.
Debt Advice Foundation
0800 043 40 50
Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Free impartial advice on issues relating to debt.
Christians Against Poverty
08003280006
If you're struggling with the weight of debt we're here to help you. Our service is completely free and available to all, regardless of age, gender, faith or background.
Monday - Thursday 9.30am-5pm
Fridays 9.30am-3.30pm
Advice NI
0800 915 4604
Providing advice to those who need it most. Advice on Benefits, Personal and Business Debt, EU Settlement Scheme, Tax Credits and other HMRC services. Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
General
Thirtyoneeight
0303 0031111, option 2
Thirtyone:eight’s safeguarding helpline is somewhere you can call, anonymously if you wish, to get advice and guidance on anything relating to safeguarding concerns, policy, procedure and practice.
The Consumer Council
08001216022
The Consumer Council offers free, independent support and advice to all consumers and businesses in Northern Ireland.
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
Simon Community
08001712222
Simon Community Northern Ireland is the leading homelessness charity in Northern Ireland. We operate prevention, accommodation and harm reduction services for people at risk of losing their home or who are already homeless.
24/7 365
Rural Support
08001381678
We offer a listening and signposting service for farmers and rural families across Northern Ireland. We can provide face to face support, help you source information and advice about business finance and debt, single farm payments, benefits, mental health assistance and many other issues.
Monday - Friday 9am-9pm
Law Centre NI
02890244401
Law Centre NI provides free, confidential and independent legal advice and assistance in the areas of social security, employment and immigration and asylum.
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, excluding public holidays.
Labour Relations Agency
03300 555 300
The Labour Relations Agency provides information and guidance to anyone in Northern Ireland with a workplace-related query.
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, excluding public holidays
Housing Rights
02890245640
Housing Rights helpline provides advice to members of the public on homelessness, social tenancies, renting privately, Housing Executive or housing association rent arrears.
Monday - Friday 9.30am-4.30pm
LGBTQ
Mermaids UK
0808 801 0400
Supporting transgender people as well as offering support for parents of trans kids
LGBTQI SWITCHBOARD NI
0808 8000 390
Our volunteers are friendly and understanding and can offer information and support to anyone concerned about sexual orientation.
LGBT Foundation
0345 330 3030
Providing a wide range of services to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people.
Medical
Royal National Institute for Deaf People RNID
02890239619
Together, we’ll make life more inclusive for deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus.
Monday - Friday 8.30am-5pm
Positive Life NI
0800137437
Positive Life is NI’s only HIV-specific charity. We provide information, advice and support to all people living with, or affected by, an HIV+ diagnoses in Northern Ireland and the border counties from a confidential and safe space.
Monday - Friday 10am-4pm, excluding bank holidays
Northern Ireland Rare Disease Partnership
07704476929 / 07704476930
We offer a virtual support hub to provide information, support and guidance to people living with a rare disease in Northern Ireland.
Monday 9am-4pm
Tuesday/Wednesday 9am-5pm
Thursday 9am-3.30pm
Friday 9am-1.30pm
Macmillan Cancer Relief Cancer Line
0808 239 37 83
Support for people living with cancer, including friends, families and carers.
Kinship Care
08000223129
The Caring for Kin Helpline provides free, independent and confidential advice and support to kinship carers throughout Northern Ireland.
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
Guide Dogs NI
08007811444
Guide Dogs NI supports adults, children and young people with a visual impairment, as well as supporting friends and family members with a range of canine and non-canine services.
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm, excluding public holidays
Deafblind UK
0800 132320
Whether you have questions about sight and hearing loss, would like information about local services, need support with housing or benefits – and everything in between, we can help!
Carers NI
02890439843
The helpline provides a range of general and specialist advice services for carers.
Monday - Thursday 9am-4pm
Cancer Focus Northern Ireland
0800 783 3339
information and support Nurseline for patients and families affected by cancer.
Autism NI
02890401729 (Opt 1)
Autism NI is Northern Ireland's Autism charity. A vital and much in demand service is our Autism NI Helpline, this is often the first point of contact pre and post diagnosis.
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
24 hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline
0808 802 1414
Open to women and men affected by domestic abuse or violence.
Mental Health
SANEline
0300 304 7000
Emotional and crisis support for people experiencing mental illness and for their families, carers friends.
OCD-UK
01332 588112
If you have a query about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder you can contact the OCD-UK advice line.
Mind Infoline
0300 123 3393
Provides an information service where you can ask about mental health problems, where to get help near you and treatment options.
Cause Helpline
0800 103 2833
Families, partners, friends caring for mental health. If you are supporting someone experiencing a serious or severe mental illness and need to talk to someone call us.
Calmzone
0800 585858
IT’S GOOD TO TALK
Campaign Against Living Miserably. Help and support for young men aged 15-35 on issues which include depression and suicide.
Anxiety UK
03444 775 774
Support and help with anxiety conditions and phobias including panic attacks, ocds, body dysmorphic disorder, social phobia.
Minority Ethnic & Cultural
Migrant Help
0808 8010 503
We run a free asylum helpline available 24/7/365 and accessible to all asylum seekers in the UK.
Belfast Roma
07842310477
The Roma Support Hub deals with queries from people within the Roma community regarding access to housing; benefits including Universal Credit and Child Benefits; discrimination; employment; food banks; Immigration (EUSS); education and many other issues. Please leave a message and an advisor will get back to you as soon as possible.
Monday - Friday 10am-4pm, excluding public holidays
Barnardos Boloh
08001512605
The Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic family helpline.
Weekdays 10am-8pm
Weekends 10am-3pm
Older People
The Silver Line
0800 4 70 80 90
Free confidential helpline providing information, friendship, advice to people aged 55 and over.
Hourglass Helpline Services
0808 808 8141
Support for any older person who is experiencing or at risk of any kind of harm, abuse or exploitation or anyone concerned about an older person
Alzheimers Society
0333 150 3456
If you are affected by dementia, worried about a diagnosis or a carer, trained staff are ready to give you the support you need. Information, support, advice and referrals to appropriate organisations.
Age NI Advice Service
0808 808 7575
We know that growing older doesn't come with a manual. That's why we provide free information and advice to help you on topics as diverse as claiming benefits to care homes.
Parents
Parentline NI
0808 8020 400
A FREE confidential helpline for parents and carers throughout NI. If you need us, we’re here.
Parenting NI
0808 8010 722
Parenting NI firmly believes that the best and most effective way to support children is by supporting those who parent them. We're here to listen to your parenting worries and offer reassurance.
NSPCC
08088005000
SPCC Helpline is intended for professionals and members of the public to seek help and advice on child protection issues and to report child protection concerns.
Weekdays 8am-11pm
Weekends 9am-6pm
Family Action Familyline
0808 802 6666
Supporting adult family members via telephone, text, email and web chat. Text: 07537 404 282
Self Harm
Sexual Health
Positive Life NI Rapid Testing Line
028 9024 9268
Positive Life is NI’s only HIV-specific charity. This line provides access to the rapid testing service.
National sexual health helpline
0300 123 7123
If you would like to talk to someone about a sexual health you can call us
Informing Choices NI
02890316100
Informing Choices NI is a sexual and reproductive health charity. We champion informed choices around sex, sexuality and reproductive health and wellbeing through advocacy, counselling, education, information and training.
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
Suicide
SHOUT
Text: 85258
Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service if you are struggling to cope and need to talk, our trained Shout Volunteers are here for you, day or night.
Lifeline
0808 808 8000
When you call Lifeline, you will speak to a qualified counsellor who can provide immediate help and support. Our counsellors are experienced in dealing with suicide, self-harm, abuse, trauma, depression, anxiety and many other issues.
HOPELINEUK
0800 068 4141
For children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide
For anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide