RESOURCES

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression, anxiety or any other mental illness, you should seek support a.s.a.p. from a professional, such as your GP/doctor.

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to talk to someone urgently, contact a support service such as a suicide hotline. Some contacts are:

Australia – Lifeline (Australia)

  • Contact the 24-hour Telephone Crisis Support line by phone on 13 11 14
  • Use the Online Crisis Chat Service at http://www.lifeline.org.au (7pm-4am AEST, seven days a week)
  • If your life or someone else’s is in immediate danger, call 000

New Zealand – Lifeline Aotearoa

  • Contact the 24-hour Telephone Crisis Support line by phone – in Auckland, call 09 5222 999; outside Auckland, call 0800 543 354
  • If your life or someone else’s is in immediate danger, call 111

United Kingdom – Samaritans or SupportLine

  • Contact the 24-hour Samaritans helpline by phone on free-call 116 123 (or 08457 90 90 90)
  • You can also contact the SupportLine Helpline on 01708 765 200, however note that their website states their hours do vary and that you should call to check their hours
  • If your life or someone else’s is in immediate danger, call 999

Republic of Ireland – Samaritans or 1 Life

  • Contact the 24-hour Samaritans helpline by phone on 116 123
  • You can also contact 1 Life Freephone (24 hours) on 1800 247 100 or you can text the word HELP to 51444 to receive a call
  • If your life or someone else’s is in immediate danger, call 999

United States of America – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Contact the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
  • Use the online Crisis Chat Service at http://www.crisischat.org/chat (2pm-2am Eastern, seven days a week)
  • If your life or someone else’s is in immediate danger, call 911

Canada – National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

  • Contact the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by phone on 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)
  • Use the online service IMAlive at http://www.imalive.org (available 24/7)
  • If your life or someone else’s is in immediate danger, call 911

Note that the countries listed above have other resources also – this is just a selection.

If you are not experiencing suicidal feelings but want to be able to talk to someone else about how you’re feeling, consider an online chat forum such as www.depression-chat-rooms.org to engage in a chat with someone else who may be experiencing similar feelings. I will emphasise, however, that the best and most productive course of action is always to speak with a doctor, therapist or counsellor – the more you talk about it, the easier it gets.

LET’S TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH © 2020 JEREMY GODWIN

LAST UPDATED 19 FEBRUARY, 2020