Support for mental health and suicidal thoughts

Living with inflammatory bowel disease has its challenges, both physically and mentally. If you’re feeling worried, anxious, stressed, low, depressed or suicidal and you need someone to reach out to other than your family, friends or IBD healthcare team, there is support available.

It is important to remember you’re not alone, there are people you can contact for support, information and advice or just someone to listen to how you’re feeling. If you’re not feeling up to talking right now, there are text lines you can message which are open 24 hours a day, everyday. 

If you’re having suicidal thoughts and feel you’re in immediate danger, call 999 (UK) or 911 (USA) or the emergency services number for your country.

We’ve put together some organisations below for you (or anyone who may be worried about your mental health) to contact:

UK

Shout:

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. Contact Shout if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. You can text from wherever you are in the UK.

Text 'SHOUT' to 85258

Samaritans UK:

Whatever you're going through, call Samaritans UK any time, from any phone for FREE.

Call 116123

Hub of Hope:

Hub of Hope is a website resource for mental health support available in your area.

Visit https://hubofhope.co.uk/

Mind:

CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably:

Calm helpline for people in the UK who are feeling down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find info and support. Open 5pm - midnight everyday.

Call Calm helpline: 0800 58 58 58 / web chat is also available from 5pm - midnight.

Crohn's and Colitis UK:

A confidential helpline service providing information and support to anyone affected by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Call 0300 222 5700

Email: helpline@crohnsandcolitis.org.uk

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger:

A text line for people under 19. If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, and you're struggling to cope you can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support.

Text 'SHOUT' to 85258

Papyrus Hopeline UK:

Papyrus is for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. For anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.  9am – midnight every day of the year (Weekends and Bank Holidays included)

Call: 0800 068 4141 /  Text: 07860039967 /  Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org

Childline:

Childline is for children and young people under 19. Offering a listening ear and help and support for whatever you’re going through … bullying, anxiety, low mood, problems at school or college, relationship issues, abuse. 

Call 0800 1111 – the number will not show up on your phone bill. Or chat with a counsellor online about whatever's worrying you. Plus message their message board and get support from other young people in similar situations.

SOS Silence of Suicide:

SOS is for children and adults who need emotional support, understanding, compassion and kindness.

Call their mental health and suicide support helpline on (freephone UK only) 0808 115 1505

USA

Crisis Text Line:

Crisis - text for 24/7 crisis counselling for any painful emotion and anytime you need support.

Text 'HOME' to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime.

Samaritans US:

Whatever you're going through, call any time, from any phone in the US for FREE.

Call 1 (800) 273-TALK

Suicide and Crisis Lifeline:

The service provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.

Call, text or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988. Lifeline (988lifeline.org)