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Signposting: Helplines & Orgs

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In this section you will find a range of mental health and wellbeing supports who are national and local. We have put them under headings, to make it easier to navigate.

All services are free.

If you are concerned about your health or the health of a friend or relative you can contact your doctor, or you may find useful information from one of the sources below.

This might also help Lecturers, Course Tutors and Support Staff when they are signposting students.

· Call 999

· Go to A&E (Accident and Emergency) at St. Johns or your local hospital If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone:

· Call NHS 111 (for when you need help but are not in immediate danger)

· Contact your GP (doctor) and ask for an emergency appointment

· Contact the Samaritans - 0800 1111 or www.samaritans.org, email jo@samaritans.org

· Use the ‘Shout’ crisis text line – text SHOUT to 85258

National: BEAT

What: Provides support to people who have, or are worried, they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members. Webchat, helpline, peer support and excellent info.

  • Helpline Number: 0800 801 0677
  • Operating Hours: Weekdays = 9am to 4pm / Weekends = 4pm - 12am
  • Website: beateatingdisorders.org.uk 

National: Breathing Space

What: They offer a free, confidential, phone service for anyone in Scotland experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. We are here in times of difficulty to provide a safe and supportive space by listening, and providing information.

  • Helpline Number: 0800 83 85 87
  • Operating Hours:  Weekdays = Mon-Thu, 6pm-2am / Weekends = Fri 6pm-Mon 6am
  • Website: breathingspace.scot

National: CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably

What: A charity who take a stand against suicide. They want to support people feeling rubbish, stand up to stereotypes and stand together to show life is always worth living.

National: Domestic and Sexual Assault Team (DASAT)

What: They offer confidential and friendly support to people who have experienced abuse. They provide tailored support for adults and children survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

  • Contact Number: 01506 281055
  • Contact Email: dasat@westlothian.gov.uk
  • Operating Hours: Mon - Thu = 9am-5pm / Fri = 9am - 4pm

National: CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably

What: A charity who are taking a stand against suicide. That means standing against feeling hopeless, standing up to stereotypes and standing together to show life is always worth living. Helpline and webchat.

  • Helpline: 0800 58 58
  • Operating Hours: 5pm - 12am
  • Website: thecalmzone.net

National: Childline

What: Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday. Use their helpline or their online 1-2-1 chat service, you can create an account and use your 'locker' to email.

  • Helpline Number: 0800 1111
  • Operating Hours: Open 24/7
  • Website: childline.org.uk

Local: Mental Health Advocacy Project (West Lothian)

What: An organisation who help people with mental health challenges have their voices heard. They are independent, and can help with single or group advocacy. This might help people speak to professionals such as Doctors/Nurses/Lawyers.

  • Contact Number: 01506 852 954
  • Website: mhapwl.org

Local: LGBT Youth Scotland 

What: An organisation for LGBTI young people 13-25 year olds who can provide support, information and resources.

  • Contact Number: 0300 330 0630
  • Website: www.lgbtyouth.org.uk

Local: LGBTQ+ Health and Wellbeing 

What: An organisation for LGBTI people in Scotland promoting health, wellbeing and equality of LGBTQ+ people.

  • Contact Number: 0300 123 2523
  • Website: www.lgbthealth.org.uk

Local: Neil's Hugs

What: A lovely local charity who help raise awareness of suicide in the local community and support families who have been affected by suicide. They run local events and support groups, and often visit the College.

National: No Panic

What: Provides a helpline, programmes and support for those with anxiety disorders

  • Helpline Number: 0300 772 9844
  • Operating Hours: Everyday, 365 days = 10am - 10pm
  • Website: nopanic.org.uk

National: Papyrus Hopeline

What: PAPYRUS are the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people (35 years and under).

National: Rape Crisis Scotland

What: Rape Crisis Scotland provides a national rape crisis helpline and email support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened.

  • National: Samaritans

What: Offers emotional support to anyone feeling down or struggling to cope. Whatever you're going through, call them free any time, from any phone or use webchat and texting service.

  • Helpline Number: 116 123
  • Operating Hours: 24 hours/365 days
  • Website: Samaritans.org

National: Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH)

What: Details of local SAMH services and information and sign-posting for people concerned about their mental health.

  • Helpline Number: 0344 800 0550
  • Operating Hours: Weekdays = 9.00am – 5.00pm.
  • Website: samh.org.uk

National: The Spark Counselling

What: They are a leading provider of couples counselling, marriage counselling, individual counselling, youth counselling and family counselling services in Scotland.

Local: S.M.I.L.E. Counselling

What: They provide a free counselling service throughout West Lothian to young people aged 11-24. Young people can refer themselves or be referred.

National: Fast Forward - The Gambling Education Hub

What: The Gambling Education Hub support organisations working with young people and families across Scotland. They host regional learning workshops.

Local: West Lothian Drugs and Alcohol Service

What: WLDAS aims to provide easily accessible, confidential and non-discriminatory services to reduce substance misuse related harm to individuals, families and the community of West Lothian.

National: The National Autistic Society Scotland (NAS)

What: They provide information, support and pioneering services, and campaign for a better world for autistic people. They offer specialist advice and support to older teenagers and adults with autism.

  • Contact Number: 0141 221 8090 
  • Advice Helpline Number: 0808 800 4104

National: Epilepsy Connections

What: Epilepsy Connections runs a variety of projects and services offering information, advice and support to people with epilepsy, their families, friends and carers and the professionals working with them.

Local: Kindred Scotland

What: An organisation who support children with complex needs in Scotland and want them to live within happy and healthy family homes. They offer specialist advocacy for parents.

National: Career Ready

What: They provide young people - who don’t yet have direct access - to the experiences of work, mentoring, and masterclasses they need to transition from education to rewarding employment.

  • Website: www.careerready.org.uk

Local: Beechbrae

What: They are a social enterprise and charity based in Beechbrae Wood in Blackridge. They work to teach, learn & engage with our natural environment and have grown into a strong community organisation. Beechbrae Wood holds an orchard, garden, large mixed woodland with walking paths a wild pond & wetland haven, labyrinth and Woodland Centre. They also run a 12 week mental health programme in the woodland called 'Branching Out'.

Local: The Brock Garden, Wood and Craft Centre

What: They are a local social enterprise based in Broxburn which sets out to provide free opportunities to people with chronic mental health conditions. Their service users benefit from participating in therapeutic horticulture, woodwork and craft activities. They are also able to socialise in a safe non judgemental space with others on a similar journey. 

Local: The Larder Cook School

What: An organisation who have cafés which provide a space for trainees to gain work experience, as well as providing a venue for social interaction, cohesion and community.  They provide training on employability, life skills, health and wellbeing, all alongside learning to cook. Based at Strathbrock and Kirkton House. They also offer social food such as meal deliveries, including fresh home cooked meals for free to our Students' Association. Students can ask for these as they wish.

  • Phone Number: 01506 412819
  • Website: thelarder.org

Last modified: Wednesday, 22 March 2023, 4:52 PM