For Immediate Help
feeling distressed
in a state of despair
suicidal
in need of emotional support
someone’s life is at immediate risk, for example by serious injury or overdose
someone has a life- or limb-threatening emergency like chest pain, severe bleeding or breathing difficulties
Whatever you're going through, call SAMARITANS free any time, from any phone, on 116 123
Ask Your GP
If you're not feeling well, it's important to talk to someone who can help. You can speak to your parent, carer, or GP (doctor).
Talking to your GP about self-harm and suicidal thoughts and feelings can be difficult. #MyGPguide, offers practical tips, information and advice on: What to consider before you visit your GP, What your rights are with respect to confidentiality, What questions your GP might ask you, How to manage discussions about medication, safety planning and referral to mental health services, What to do after the consultation.
Key Helplines
Childline is here to support you with anything. Whatever your worry, it’s better out than in. There are lots of different ways to speak to a Childline counsellor.
Call: 0800 1111
Chat with a counsellor online about whatever's worrying you: 1-2-1 counsellor chat | Childline
Chat with help from a British Sign Language interpreter: Staying safe online - Deaf Zone | Childline
Open Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
NHS 24 mental health services are available to everyone in Scotland, of all ages for FREE. The services they offer include listening, offering advice, and guiding you to further help if required.
Call: 111
Text: 18001 111
Open Hours: 24/7 for ALL AGES
Use the Relay UK app for phone relay service video relay service Contact Scotland BSL.
HOPELINE247 is a helpline that’s here for you 24/7 if you’re feeling really down or thinking about suicide. They’ll support you, whether you’re a young person in need or someone worried about a young person.
Call: 0800 068 4141
Text: 88247
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
App Library: Health apps to support you with your wellbeing
The Mix is a free and confidential support service for young people, offering emotional support and practical advice on everything from money and mental health to homelessness, relationships, and more.
Call: 0808 808 4994 (3pm-midnight daily)
Crisis 24/7 messenger: text THEMIX to 85258
Counselling service: The Mix Free Counselling Service For Under 25s | The Mix
Support Chat: Online Support Groups - The Mix (Sun to Thu at 8 - 9.30pm)
Chat, Text, or Ask Online
Kooth is a free, safe, and anonymous online platform for young people. You can chat with counsellors, take part in activities, journal your thoughts, listen to podcasts, and join supportive forums.
Sign Up: Go to the Kooth website and register for free.
Chat with Counsellors: Find out more about 1:1 support - Kooth
Open Hours: 12 pm to 10 pm on weekdays and 6 pm to 10 pm on weekends
Age: 10 to 25
TalkTime is a unique counselling charity for young people in Scotland aged 12-25 who are either physically disabled or have a long-term physical health condition.
To book an initial appointment:
Call or Text: 07774 210104
Or Email: talktimescotland@gmail.com
Age: 12 to 25
YoungMinds provides free, confidential advice and resources to help young people and their families navigate mental health challenges.
Crisis 24/7 messenger: text YM to 85258
Find Help: Find Help With How I'm Feeling | Advice For Young People | YoungMinds
Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Mon - Fri, 9:30am-2pm)
Age: accessible to any young person in need of mental health support
Self-Harm Network Scotland provides free compassionate support, resources & information about self-harm, training to families & professionals, and a Live Chat for people who self-harm and need support.
Contact Online: Contact Us - Self-Harm Network Scotland Penumbra
Interactive Help Tool: I need support - Self-Harm Network Scotland Penumbra
The Live Chat: 6pm – 10pm, 7 days a week, or leave a message and the team will get back to you.
Age: 12+
Discover More Support
Beat provides support for anyone affected by eating disorders, whether they’re struggling themselves or supporting someone else, through helplines, online workshops, and chatrooms.
Young Scot is a platform just for young people aged 11 to 26. It’s packed with reliable information, discounts to help you save money, and opportunities like volunteering or trying something new.
Information: Information – Young Scot
Young Scot National Entitlement Card: Young Scot National Entitlement Card – Young Scot
Discounts: Discounts – Young Scot
Opportunities: Get Involved – Young Scot
Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs (SAYFC) is run by and for young people across Scotland. It’s a great way to make new friends, try new experiences, and build new skills.
Call: 07747865291
Club Finder: Join Us | The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs | Join SAYFC
Member Enquiry Form: Join Us | The Scottish Association of Young Farmers Clubs | Join SAYFC
Email: info@sayfc.org
Sign Up: https://membership.young.scot/ysportal/
A Step by Step Guide: A Step by Step Guide on Signing Up for the Young Carers Package
What Do Young Carers Do: https://young.scot/get-informed/what-do-young-carers-do/
Email: membership@young.scot
The Young Carers Package is a bunch of rewards, prizes and opportunities for anyone aged 11-18 inclusive in Scotland who provides a caring role.
SAMH (Scottish Association for Mental Health) provides support, information for yourself or someone you care about, and a safe space to talk about mental health.
Call: 0344 800 0550 (Calls charged at local rates)
Live Chat: samh.org.uk/informationservice will pop up during opening hours.
Open Hours: 9am-6pm, Monday to Friday (except Scotland and Northern Ireland Bank Holidays).
Age: 11 and over.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for Argyll & Bute are based in Lochgilphead and Helensburgh. Services provided include Psychiatry, Clinical Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Family Therapy and CBT. A range of therapeutic interventions are offered by appropriately trained staff.
Age: children and young people up to 16 years of age, or up to 19 if in secondary education.
Referral can be made by: GPs; Health Visitors; Social Work Services; Education Services (Educational Psychologists, Guidance Teachers); School Nurse; Hospital Doctors; Other Specialist Children's Services.
HELP is a support service for young people who are homeless, in threat of homelessness or coming out of care. Helping Argyll's young people with housing, employment, and health and wellbeing.
Call: 01369 707600 or 0800 121 4990
Email: info@helpltd.org.uk
Address: 17/19 John Street, Dunoon, Argyll, PA23 8BN
30 Bishop Street, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 9DG
respectme is Scotland’s national anti-bullying service, providing support, training, and resources to help individuals, schools, and organisations tackle bullying.
If you are being bullied and need to talk confidentially, call Childline: 0800 1111 (24/7)
If you are worried about your child, call ParentLine: 08000 28 22 23 (Mon–Fri 9am–9pm, Sat–Sun 9am–12pm)
To get in touch with respectme: email to enquire@respectme.org.uk or fill in CONTACT FORM or message to 0344 800 8600
Young Islanders Network is a network of groups working in our local communities, and together, to get the voices of young islanders heard in Government and beyond.
Join In: Join in with the Young Islanders Network! - yin.scot
Call: 07597700093
Email: yin@youthscotland.org.uk
Age: 5 to 25.
LGBTQ+ Young People supports LGBTQ+ youth in all aspects of their lives through the provision of amazing youth work, and support them to use their voice to create change in equality and human rights.
Get Support: One to one support - LGBT Youth Scotland
Live Chat: Live chat - LGBT Youth Scotland
Find Youth Group: Our youth groups - LGBT Youth Scotland
Age: 13 to 25.
Call: 0808 801 0400
Open Hours: Monday – Friday; 1pm – 8.30pm
Youth Forum: Mermaids Youth Community Application - Mermaids
Age: under 20.
Mermaids supports trans, non-binary and gender-questioning children and young people and the important people in their lives.
For Parents and Carers
The Parent Project is a free support service for parents and carers in Argyll & Bute. It offers expert advice and guidance to families worried about their children aged 4-18.
Complete the sign up form ARGYLL & BUTE - The Parent Project Info | Exchange Counselling to
Book a space on Parent & Carer Workshop or Book a FREE wellbeing discussion
Call: 0330 202 0283
