This part of the website features organisations that can provide you with help and support in lots of different ways. Here are the main forms of help you will come across and tips on how to use them.

Helplines

The people on the end of the phone are there to provide support, advice and/or information. Calls to helplines are usually confidential (if you want confirmation of this, you can ask when you call), and you can talk as long as you want. If you don’t want to continue the call, you can put the phone down.

How can helplines help?
For many people, talking to someone about a problem is like opening a door. It puts you back in control of what’s bothering you and can make you realise the many choices you have. Facing problems alone can mean they build up until they become unbearable, and even if friends or family are sympathetic, they may not have the right information or ability to help. Helpline advisers receive special training – and they won’t be shocked or surprised by anything you say. If you do have a problem you can't cope with by yourself, phoning a helpline can be an important first step to getting help.

'Helplines are important 'cos … if you feel no one in the world can help you, one or two sentences could be the destiny that person takes, those words could make the difference to which way he goes.'

How much do they cost?
Many helplines are free – unless you are phoning from a mobile – and open 24 hours a day. Others may be open for set hours and charge you – for example, the cost of a local or national call. You can tell the cost of calling a helpline by the first part of the phone number:

• 0870: calls are charged at the national rate (no more than 8p a minute)
• 0845: calls are charged at the local rate (no more than 4p a minute)
• 0800 and 0808: calls are free (if you’re worried about confidentiality, calls to these numbers will usually not appear on your phone bill – the exceptions are if you’re using certain mobiles or a cable service)

When should I ring?
Check the opening hours of the helpline and phone when it suits you. It might be better if you can find some time and a place when no one’s around so that you have the space and privacy to talk.

Recorded information lines

When you ring a recorded information line you will hear a message giving details of the subject you are ringing about and a list of organisations that can help. Many of these organisations will have helplines that you can ring. It’s always useful to have a pen and paper to hand when calling a recorded information line, so you can note down details. Recorded information lines are usually open 24 hours a day and call costs vary.

Local support groups

Through these, you can meet people in your area who are going through similar experiences to you. It doesn’t cost anything to take part in these groups, and they provide a safe environment to meet people who understand – what you say when you’re there won’t go any further.

Websites

These can provide help and information 24 hours a day if you have access to the internet at home or at an internet café (you can look these up in your local phone book under 'Internet providers and services'). Your local library may also be online. Some organisations can e-mail back to you with specific answers to your questions, plus there are 'e-chat rooms' where you can share your experiences. Remember, chat rooms are not always confidential and other people using them might not be as supportive as those who are trained to offer help.

Booklets and leaflets

Some of the organisations listed in this website will publish booklets, leaflets and other information that you can send off for. These will provide more information on the particular subject you want to find out about, plus details of local support groups and other organisations that can help.