Healthcare professionals often find themselves supporting colleagues and service users through difficult moments. When someone shares their distress with you, knowing where to direct them for specialist help can make all the difference.

This guide provides key support contacts and practical steps for signposting people to the right services.

When Someone Discloses Distress

Stay calm and listen. Give your full attention without interrupting. Acknowledge their feelings with warmth and without judgment.

Take their concerns seriously. Encourage them to seek appropriate support using the resources below.

Immediate risk? Call 111 or 999 for urgent advice.

Under mental health care? Direct them to their existing care team or local crisis team.

Need ongoing support? Encourage them to connect with family, friends, faith leaders, or other personal networks.

Domestic Abuse Support

Women in England and Wales

National Domestic Abuse Helpline - Refuge

• Phone: 0808 2000 247 (24/7)

• Live chat: Monday-Friday, 10am-10pm

• Multiple languages available

• Visit refuge helpline

Men

Respect Men's Advice Line

• Phone: 0808 8010 327 (Monday-Friday, 10am-5pm)

• Live chat: Wednesday 10-11:30am, Thursday 2-4pm

• Get men's support

Scotland

Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline

• Phone: 0800 027 1234 (24/7)

• Text: 07401 288 595

• Access Scottish support

Northern Ireland

Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline

• Phone: 0808 802 1414 (24/7)

• Multiple languages available

• Find Northern Ireland help

Child Protection and Abuse

Children and Young People

Childline

• Phone: 0800 1111

• Online chat available

NSPCC

• Adults concerned about a child: 0808 800 5000

• Under 18s: 0800 1111

• Report concerns

YoungMinds

• Parents helpline: 0808 802 5544

• Crisis text: Text 'SHOUT' to 85258

• Youth mental health support

Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse

NAPAC (National Association for People Abused in Childhood)

• Phone: 0808 801 0331

• Monday-Thursday 10am-9pm, Friday 10am-6pm

• Best contact times: 5-9pm

• Survivor support services

Support for Survivors

• Phone: 0115 962 2722

• Email: hello@supportforsurvivors.org

• Adult survivor resources

Financial Abuse and Debt

Financial Support Line for Domestic Abuse Victims

• Phone: 0808 196 8845 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm)

• Specialist advice for financial difficulty

• Financial abuse support

Citizens Advice

• Debt management and legal rights support

• Find your local Citizens Advice

Trauma and Bereavement Support

Victim Support

• Phone: 0808 168 9111

• Support for crime and trauma victims

• Trauma recovery services

The Survivors Trust

• Phone: 0808 801 0818

• Monday-Thursday: 10am-12:30pm, 1:30-3pm, 6-8pm

• Text: 07860 022 956

• Sexual abuse support directory

Cruse Bereavement Support

• Phone: 0808 808 1677

• Understanding grief and loss

• Professional bereavement counselling

Birth Trauma Association

• Phone: 0203 621 6338

• Email: support@birthtraumaassociation.org.uk

• Birth trauma peer support

Mental Health Crisis Support

Samaritans

• Phone: 116 123 (24/7, free, confidential)

• Emotional support for anyone in crisis

SHOUT Crisis Text Line

• Text: SHOUT to 85258

• 24/7 support for anxiety, depression, self-harm, suicidal thoughts

• Free, confidential, anonymous

Mind

• Phone: 0300 123 3393 (Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm)

• Mental health information and support

CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably)

• Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm-midnight, 365 days)

• Suicide prevention and support

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide

• Phone: 0800 068 4141 (24/7 hope line)

• Support for young people at risk

Carer Support

Carers UK

• Phone: 0808 808 7777

• Email: advice@carersuk.org

• Support for anyone caring for family members

Carers Trust

• Find local carer support

• Location-based services and resources

Remember Your Role

Your role is to listen, acknowledge, and signpost - not to provide therapy or counselling. These organisations have trained specialists ready to help.

Need support yourself? Contact our Newcross support services or use any of these resources for your own wellbeing.

Keep this guide accessible for when colleagues or service users need immediate signposting to professional support services.

Save these contacts in your phone or bookmark this page. In crisis moments, having quick access to the right support can save lives.