Bristol MindLine offers a free emotional-support listening service to anyone who needs to talk. They offer a friendly ear, without trying to advise or tell people what to do next. Instead, they help callers to think things through for themselves.
Calls can last up to 30 minutes per evening. This allows their trained volunteers to really listen carefully to what you have to say.
People phone MindLine to talk about lots of different things, including issues to do with mental health, feelings of loneliness and isolation, self-injury, abuse, worry about medication, problems experienced accessing services and concerns about a friend or family member, callers may also be carers looking to talk about the issues affecting them. Whatever callers want to talk about they will listen to the way they feel and about their experiences.
MindLine’s confidentiality policy means that callers can talk about most things in confidence, however, there are a few exceptions that are explained on their website.
A confidential freephone helpline opens 7 nights a week from 7 pm to 11 pm providing a safe place to talk if you, or someone you know, is in distress. They can also give information about mental health support services available in your area that could help you.
Bristol MindLine is here to support residents of Bristol and the surrounding area. If you live outside this area you can get information on support services closer to you from the Helplines Partnership or the National Mind InfoLine on 0300 123 3393 (Mon to Fri, 9 am – 6 pm).
For more detailed information see the MindLine leaflet.pdf
Alternatively, you can contact a few more organisations if you need support:
| Samaritans – open 24/7 – A charity that offers a safe place to talk for people suffering from mental distress, thoughts of self-harm or suicide. contact details: freephone 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org |
| SPB: Suicide Prevention Bristol – open 24/7 – ASSISTline is a free, national helpline offering a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. Freephone 0800 689 5652 |
| Bristol MindLine – open Wed.-Sun 7pm-11pm – Offers support and advice on Mental Health Services local to Bristol. (If you are living outside of Bristol you can get information on support services closer to you from the Helplines Partnership or the national Mind InfoLine on 0300 123 3393 Mon to Fri, 9.00am – 6.00pm or 0117 203 4419 |
| AWP – open 24/7 – Provides high-quality support to people experiencing extreme mental health or emotional crisis that requires help. Staffed by dedicated clinical staff. contact details: freephone 0800 953 1919 |
| The Sanctuary – open Thu-Mon 4pm-12:30am, last appt. 11pm – Provides a safe space for people experiencing serious emotional distress. Face-to-face appointments are available. contact details: freephone 07709295661 to book a place during opening hours, their address: Gloucester House, 12 Dorian Way, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, BS10 5NB or email awp.bmhsanctuary@nhs.net |
| Papyrus – Hopeline UK – open 24/7 – Free service for people under the age of 35. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be, you can contact HOPELINEUK for confidential support and practical advice. Freephone 0800 068 4141, Text 07860039967 • Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org |
| Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – open 5pm-midnight – Free service for men who are struggling with mental health problems, can offer a safe space to discuss concerns and signpost to other services either via phone or web chat here. Freephone 0800 585 858 |
| CAM Crisis Messenger – open 24/7 – Free, mental health crisis support across the UK via text. Text CAM to 85258 |
| SHOUT – open 24/7 – Free, mental health support if you’re feeling low, anxious, worried, lonely, overwhelmed, suicidal or not quite yourself. Text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258 |
You can call the NHS out of hour’s line on 111 and they will offer further guidance on support available to you.
It may be useful to save the above numbers into your mobile in case of emergency or take a picture of this page on your phone so you always have it to hand – please note these contact details are correct as of November 2023 but may be subject to change without OSS knowledge and are due for review in November 2024
Mental health web links:
| Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health NHS Trust | manages mental health services across the south-west including in Bristol |
| Bristol Mind | |
| Bristol Dementia Wellbeing Service | |
| Off the Record | provides free and confidential counselling for young people aged 11 to 25 years in Bristol |
| Bristol Active Life Project | activity sessions for people who have experienced long-term mental health difficulties |
| Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group: Mental health and wellbeing | |
| Alzheimer’s Society | |
| Depression Alliance | |
| Lift Psychology in Bristol and South Gloucestershire | |
| Mind | the mental health charity |
| Rethink | helping people with severe mental illness |
| SANE | improving the lives of people with mental illness |
| Second Step | |
| Womankind | Bristol Women’s Therapy Centre |
| Changes Bristol | support groups for people suffering from mental distress |
| No Health Without Mental Health – Government Strategy 2011 | |
| Dementia-friendly swimming |
There are also mobile phone applications available:
distrACT App – This gives people who self-harm and may feel suicidal easy and discreet access to information, advice and support – all in one single place, even when offline. Support services available on this app are for Bristol only. distrACT app – for iOS and Android
StayAlive App – Suicide prevention resource, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide. StayAlive app – for iOS and Android
Calm Harm App – The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it. Learn to ride the wave with the free Calm Harm app using these activities: Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, Random and Breathe. When you ride the wave, the urge to self-harm will fade. Calm Harm app – for iOS and Android