I need support now

We provide Helplines for adults and young people across the UK, offering support and information about eating disorders. Our advisors are not medically trained so we may need to signpost you for additional support.

If you are in need of urgent help or medical advice for yourself or someone else please contact 999 or the Samaritans on 116 123 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. If you are looking for medical advice contact your GP or 111.

If you're in a crisis - please look at our emergency contacts list.

Emergency Contacts – I am in crisis

We provide helplines for people of all ages, offering support and information about eating disorders no matter where you are in your journey. Note that we do not operate a crisis service and we are not medically trained. If you do require emergency support, please contact one of the services below.

Crisis support

• If you, or a loved one, are currently receiving support from a mental health team or eating disorder service, you/they may have a personalised care plan which should include details of your/their local community mental health team and/or what to do if you are in crisis
• You/they can also contact 111. They will be able to tell you which service you can contact, or you may be able to speak to a nurse, mental health nurse or another healthcare professional. Note that those with hearing loss can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) service).

There are a range of organisations you can contact for when you are in a mental health crisis:

• Papyrus Hopeline247

Papyrus offer a dedicated telephone service with non-judgmental support, practical advice, and information, available to anyone up to the age of 35 who is concerned about their emotional wellbeing, as well as anyone worried about a young person (aged 35 and under).

Their website can be found here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/ or you can contact the Hopeline directly on 0800 068 4141

• SHOUT

Shout is the UK's first and only free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging service for anyone who is struggling to cope.

Their website can be found here: https://giveusashout.org/ or you can contact them directly by texting the word ‘Shout’ to 85258

• Samaritans 

Samaritans are a listening service dedicated to reducing feelings of isolation and disconnection that can lead to suicide. They are open 24 hours a day.

Their website can be found here: https://www.samaritans.org/scotland/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ or you can contact them directly on 116 123

• Calm Against Living Miserably 

A helpline and chat service supporting those with thoughts of suicide. They are open 5pm-midnight, 365 days a year.

Their website can be found here: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ or you can contact them directly on 0800 58 58 58

Medical support

• 111/999 

111 is for anyone who may need medical help and advice but who are not in a life-threatening situation.

999 is for life-threatening emergencies. If you cannot call 999, you should attend your local A&E department.

If you are unsure which to contact, this website can help.

• GP 

Your GP can support you with a range of physical and mental health challenges. We have a resource which explains all you need to know about visiting your doctor. If you are unsure of which GP surgery you are registered with, the NHS has a tool that allows you to insert your postcode and all of the GP surgeries in your area will show, one of which you may wish to contact.

For England the tool can be found via: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp.

For Scotland the tool can be found via: https://www.nhsinform.scot/scotlands-service-directory/gp-practices.

For Wales the tool can be found via: https://app.nhs.wales/gpsearch.

For Northern Ireland the tool can be found via: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/gp-practices.