If you are in immediate danger
Call 999 now, or go to your nearest A&E. You matter.
Free UK Support · No Judgement
Need Someone
To Talk To?
You Found Us.
However you got here — you made it. Below is every free way to talk to someone about your mental health in the UK: phone, text, anonymous chat, and peer support with other men. No judgement. No pressure. Just options.
Talk to someone now — free UK helplines
Every number below is free, confidential, and answered by trained listeners. You don't need to know what to say — you can literally say "I don't know what to say" and they'll stay with you.
Samaritans
Free, 24/7, confidential. Anyone, any reason, any time.
CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)
For men. 5pm–midnight, every day. Web chat also available.
Shout (text)
Free, 24/7. Text-based if a call feels too much right now.
NHS 111 (option 2)
Mental health crisis support in your local area, 24/7.
Papyrus HOPELINE247
For under 35s. 24/7.
Talk to someone online
Sometimes typing feels safer than speaking. If you want to talk to someone online about your mental health — without a phone call, without revealing your name — these options are here for you.
Shout — free text support
Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 text-based mental health support. Trained volunteers will text back and stay with you for as long as you need.
Brothers Board — anonymous peer support for men
An anonymous online space where men share what they're going through and read what other brothers have said. No login. No name. No judgement. Just men supporting men.
Not ready to talk to anyone yet?
That's completely OK. Sometimes you just need to get the words out without anyone hearing them. A Brother Said is a one-way anonymous release — type what's on your mind, hit send, and let it go. No reply. No follow-up. No pressure.
What happens when you reach out
They listen. They don't judge.
Whether you call Samaritans, text Shout, or post on Brothers Board — nobody will tell you what you should be feeling or push you toward a solution you don't want.
You don't need a reason.
You don't need to be in crisis to call. You don't need to have a diagnosis. You can call because it's Tuesday and everything feels heavy. That's enough.
It's completely confidential.
Samaritans, CALM, and Shout do not share what you say unless you ask them to, or unless there is an immediate risk to life — and even then, they work with you, not against you.
You can hang up anytime.
You're in control. Stay on for two minutes or two hours. Call back tomorrow or never again. There is no contract, no commitment, no guilt.
Common questions
Where can I talk to someone about my mental health for free in the UK?
Samaritans (116 123), CALM (0800 58 58 58), Shout (text SHOUT to 85258), and NHS 111 (option 2) all provide free mental health support with no referral needed.
Can I talk to someone online about mental health anonymously?
Yes — Shout offers free anonymous text support by texting SHOUT to 85258. Brothers Board is an anonymous online peer support space specifically for men.
I need someone to talk to right now — what should I do?
Call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7). If you prefer not to speak, text SHOUT to 85258. If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E.
Is there a free way to talk to someone without a GP referral?
Yes — all helplines on this page are free, require no GP referral, and need no registration or appointment.
Where can men talk about mental health with other men?
Brothers Board is built for men to share and read anonymous peer support. CALM (0800 58 58 58) also specialises in support for men.
Bands For Brothers is a Community Interest Company (CIC). We signpost to professional services and provide anonymous peer support spaces. We do not provide clinical mental health advice or crisis intervention. If you need immediate help, call 999 or Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7).