Crisis Support
The Edinburgh Practice does not have the facility to offer emergency help. We have therefore compiled a list of useful services operating in Edinburgh, or nationwide, many which offer a crisis service. All titles include a hyperlink directing you to more information about each service.
IF YOU OR SOMEBODY YOU CARE FOR IS IN IMMEDIATE LIFE THREATENING DANGER, ALWAYS CALL 999.
This is an emergency assessment service based at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital and The Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.
- Tel: – 111 (24 hr)
Mental Health Assessment Service (MHAS) – for adults 18 years and above
Nurse led team based at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital for adults. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
- Tel: – 0131 286 8137 (24 hr)
If you are looking for face to face support, but don’t want an immediate assessment, Edinburgh Crisis Centre may be able to help.
- Tel: – 0808 801 0414 (24 hr)
- Text: – 07974429075
- Email: – [email protected]
If you just want to speak with someone over the phone and are feeling suicidal or need emotional support, you can call Edinburgh Samaritans.
- Tel: – 0330 094 5717
or 116 123 (09:00 – 22:00) - Email: – [email protected]
If you are feeling depressed or have a low mood, you can phone to speak to a Breathing Space worker on their free helpline.
- Tel: – 0800 83 85 87
(18:00-02:00 Mon-Thur
and 18:00-06:00 Fri-Mon)
National Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline
National service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. Confidential and fully trained female helpline support workers.
- Tel: – 0800 027 1234
- Text/WhatsApp: – 07401288595
- Email: – [email protected]
UK Domestic Abuse Violence Helpline
A national service for women experiencing domestic violence, their family, friends, colleagues and others calling on their behalf. Run in partnership between Women’s Aid and Refuge.
- Tel: – 0808 2000 247 (24 hr)
Mental Welfare Commission Advice
The Mental Welfare Commission is an independent organisation working to safeguard the rights and welfare of everyone with a mental illness, learning disability or other mental disorder.
- Tel: – 0800 389 6809 (24 hr)
You can ask for advice or refer yourself or someone you know in Edinburgh through the Social Care Direct service. You may need help due to illness, frailty, disability or concerns about safety of an adult or child at risk of harm.
- Tel: – 0131 200 2324 (Adult)
or 0131 200 2327 (Child) - Email: – [email protected]
Victim Support provides victims with free and confidential emotional and practical assistance and information about the criminal justice system.
- Tel: – 0800 160 1985
(Mon-Fri 08:00-20:00)
Free and confidential emotional and practical support, information and advocacy to women, all members of the transgender community and young people aged 12-18 who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives.
- Tel: – 0131 556 9437
- Email: – [email protected]
Help for black minority ethnic (BME) women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse.
- Tel: – 0131 475 2399
- Email: – [email protected]
Rape Crisis Scotland provides a national rape crisis helpline and email support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened.
- Tel: – 0808 801 0302
(17:00 – 00:00) - Text: – 07537 410 027
- Email: – [email protected]
Local Edinburgh charity that provides free, confidential and independent advocacy for carers supporting someone with mental or physical health difficulties
- Tel: – 0808 801 0414 (24 hr)
- Text: – 0797 442 9075
- Email: – [email protected]
Saneline is a national, out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
- Tel: – 0300 304 7000
(16:00 – 22:00)
Child And Young Adult Services:
A free, private and confidential service where you can be you. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, however you want to get in touch. We’re here for you online, on the phone, anytime.
- Tel: – 0800 1111 (24 hr)
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children is a charity campaigning and working in child protection in the United Kingdom and the Channel Islands
- Tel: – 0808 800 5000
- Email: – [email protected]
Providing emotional support and information relating to other helplines, counsellors and support groups throughout the UK
- Tel: – 01708765200
- Email: – [email protected]
Help, support and advice for children in care and young care leavers so that they can unleash their potential and take control of their lives.
- Tel: – 0800 023 2033
Brook Young People’s Information Service
Information, support and signposting service for young people under 25 on sexual health. Also run a confidential enquiry service via the Brook website. Details of local services available via text message. Centres throughout the UK offering free contraction, pregnancy testing and counselling.
Website: – https://hello.brook.org.uk/help#go_to_help
The Care Leavers Association is a national user led charity aimed at improving the lives of foster care leavers of all ages. They bring together the voices and experiences of care leavers to support care leavers of all ages, improve the current care system and change for the better society’s perception of people in care. The Care Leavers Association work with individuals through specific projects, campaign, lobby and advocate for change at all levels of government and provide training and awareness for a range of organisations.
- Tel: – 0161 826 0214
Free support, information and helpline for young people under 18 who have experience any type of abuse in Scotland.
- Text/WhatsApp: – 07707531976
You have the right to choose who you marry, when you will marry and if you marry at all. Information and free support on how to seek help when you or someone you know has been forced into a marriage.
- Tel: – 020 7008 0151
- Overseas: – (+44) 020 7008 0151
- Out of hours: – 020 7008 5000
(Ask for the Global Response Centre)
Runaway Helpline is here if you are thinking about running away, if you have already run away, or if you have been away and want to come back. You can also contact the helpline if you are worried that someone else is going to run away or if they are being treated badly or abused. You can call or text free of charge, 365 days a year confidentially.
- Tel: –116 000 (09:00-23:00)
- Email: – [email protected]