Mental Health Resources
The following is a list of organisations who provide support and/or resources and information on mental health. Some have dedicated helplines or instant messaging services which provide listening, signposting, advice, information, and help during a crisis. Several organisations are also LGBTI and/or Scottish specific services. See each description for more details.
List of organisations
LGBT+ Helpline Scotland
Scotland-specific, LGBTI-specific
- Open
- Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays (12-9pm) Sundays (1-6pm)
- Telephone
- 0800 464 7000
- Activity
- Provide information and emotional support to LGBT+ people and their families, friends and supporters across Scotland. This includes a helpline, online chat and email support.
- Website
- LGBT Helpline Scotland website
- helpline@lgbthealth.org.uk
LGBT Youth Scotland
Scotland-specific, LGBTI-specific
- Open
- Live Chat – Monday (4pm to 6pm), Wednesday–Thursday (4pm to 8pm)
- Activity
- Provide information and emotional support to LGBT+ people and their families, friends and supporters across Scotland. This includes a helpline, online chat and email support.
- Website
- LGBT Youth Scotland website
- info@lgbtyouth.org.uk
MindLine Trans+
non-Scotland-specific, LGBTI-specific
- Open
- Fri 8pm – 00am
- Telephone
- 0300 330 5468
- Activity
- A confidential emotional, mental health support helpline and signposting service for people who identify as Trans, A Gender, Gender Fluid, Non-binary.
- Website
- MindLine Trans+ website
- Mindline@mindinSomerset.org.uk
Switchboard LGBT+
non-Scotland-specific, LGBTI-specific
- Open
- 10:00-22:00 every day
- Telephone
- 0800 0119 100
- Activity
- A national LGBT+ helpline providing information, support and a referral service for LGBT people or anyone considering issues around this.
- Website
- Switchboard LGBT+ website
- hello@switchboard.lgbt
MindOut
non-Scotland-specific, LGBTI-specific
- Open
- Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons
- Activity
- An LGBTQ mental health charity based in Brighton which has an instant message service on the website open to anyone in the UK.
- Website
- MindOut website
- info@mindout.org.uk
Mermaids
non-Scotland-specific, LGBTI-specific
- Open
- Monday – Friday; 9am – 9pm
- Telephone
- 0808 801 0400
- Activity
- Have a helpline for children and young people experiencing gender dysphoria.
- Website
- Mermaids website
- info@mermaidsuk.org.uk
Change Mental Health (used to be called Support in Mind Scotland)
Scotland-specific, non-LGBTI-specific
- Open
- Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm
- Telephone
- 0808 8010 515
- Activity
- Offer a National Information Service which can signpost you to the local support that will most fit your needs.
- Website
- Change Mental Health website
- advice@changemh.org
Breathing Space
Scotland-specific, non-LGBTI-specific
- Open
- 24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday to 6am Monday), and 6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday to Thursday)
- Telephone
- 0800 83 85 87
- Activity
- A helpline for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16, feeling low, anxious, depressed or worried about someone else.
- Website
- Breathing Space website
Samaritans
non-Scotland-specific, non-LGBTI-specific
- Open
- 24/7
- Telephone
- 116 123
- Activity
- Have a helpline open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. This is a confidential listening service for any concerns you might have, including in a crisis.
- Website
- Samaritans website
- jo@samaritans.org
LGBT Foundation
non-Scotland-specific, LGBTI-specific
- Open
- Mon – Fri 9:00am – 8:30pm, Weekends 10:00am – 5:30pm
- Telephone
- 0345 3 30 30 30
- Activity
- An LGBT charity based in Greater Manchester with a helpline open to anyone in a crisis, or who needs advice and support around a range of topics relating to gender identity or sexuality.
- Website
- LGBT Foundation website
- helpline@lgbt.foundation
SHOUT
non-Scotland-specific, non-LGBTI-specific
- Open
- 24/7
- Telephone
- Text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
- Activity
- A text only service for when people are struggling to cope and need to talk. This could be for depression, anxiety, suicidal feelings, bullying, relationship problems, etc.
- Website
- SHOUT website
- info@giveusashout.org
For more information
- SAMH has information and resources for both people feeling suicidal and those who are worried about someone. This includes a ‘How To Ask’ guide.
- Zero Suicide Alliance has both training and resources on suicide and prevention.
- The Stay Alive website offers a list of all mental health/ suicide prevention support in Scotland.
- Hub of Hope is a tool which can connect you to mental health and other support near you. Simply enter your postcode on their website and it will show you a range of organisations/groups in your area.
