Support directory

10 April 2024

These are worrying and uncertain times. It's okay to not feel yourself right now but there is support available to help get you through it.

The important thing is to talk to someone and share how you are feeling – whether that’s a friend, family member or by reaching out to one of these organisations.

This Directory can signpost you to a variety of supports that are available; from hints and tips on managing your mental wellbeing throughout this challenging time, to specific support organisations who are still there to help you with whatever you need.

Mental health

Changing Faces is the UK-wide charity for anyone of any age, with a mark, scar, genetic condition (for example birthmark) or acquired (for example as a result of surgery) affecting their appearance. Free support available.
Clear Your Head is the new online resource from Scottish Government with tips and advice on mental and physical wellbeing.
Mental Health Foundation has a new coronavirus page with practical advice on mental wellbeing, parenting, talking to children, loneliness and more.
Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) has details on how you can protect your mental wellbeing during this challenging time.
Young Scot have developed details on how you can manage your wellbeing if you are feeling worried or anxious.
Connecting with You is a free service run by the British Red Cross. It’s available to all people aged 18 or over in Scotland who are experiencing issues associated with loneliness.

Alcohol and drugs

RADAR (Rapid Access to Drug and Alcohol Support) is a new single point of contact for anyone concerned about their own or someone else’s drug and/or alcohol use.
They are based at North West Area Centre, Kilmarnock.
Contact 01563 574237 for an appointment within 24 hours or NHS 24 on 111 for out of hours. They also offer family support using CRAFT interventions.
East Ayrshire Recovery Hub is a new innovative project, supporting individuals with drug and alcohol issues linking them with recovery support, training and development within the local community.
Contact them at 07497 887458 or at socialmedia.earh@gmail.com.
Their offices can be found at 3-9 John Finnie Street, Kilmarnock.
East Ayrshire Recovery Network contains a list of support services, events and how to access Naloxone for those directly or indirectly affected by alcohol and drug use.
Ayrshire Council on Alcohol offer a free one-to-one confidential service to individuals who are concerned about their drinking.
Call 01292 281238 during office hours or email info@acaayr.org
NHS Ayrshire & Arran Community Addiction Services offer a number of different interventions including support to stop taking drugs and alcohol and mental health services-related treatment and support.
Call 01563 574237 during office hours or NHS24 111 outwith these times
Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope and help others to recover from alcoholism.
Call 0800 9177 650 or email help@aamail.org
East Ayrshire Recovery Service (Addaction) provides free and confidential drug and alcohol support.
Call 01563 558777 Monday to Friday during office hours with a late night opening on Tuesdays
Know the Score provides free, confidential information and advice on drug use.
Call the Helpline between 8am and 11pm 7 days a week on 0800 5875879
Scottish Families affected by Alcohol & Drugs (SFAD) support anyone who is concerned about someone else's drug or alcohol use, wherever they are in Scotland.
Call the free and confidential helpline on 08080 101011 Monday to Friday 9am-11pm

Eating disorders

The Scottish Eating Disorder Group (SEDIG) is an online support that helps people across Scotland find the support, care and understanding they need to deal with eating disorders, whether they are affecting them directly, a family member or someone you care for.
Beating Eating Disorders run a number of online support groups or call 0808 801 0677 for further information.

Depression

Living Life offers free online courses covering low mood, stress and resiliency. Work out why you feel as you do, how to tackle problems, build confidence, feel happier and stay calm and much more.
Call 0800 328 9655 or email enquiries@livinglifetothefull.com
Breathing Space is a free and confidential phone service for anyone experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety.
Call 0800 83 85 87 Monday–Thursday 6pm–2am and during weekends Friday 6pm-Monday 6am
Wellbeing Services is an online service offering a variety of self-help materials for all sorts of problems that you may be facing.
Beating the Blues is an effective treatment for people feeling stressed, depressed, anxious or just down in the dumps. Based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, the course is made up of 8 online sessions which last approximately an hour and help you to understand the link between how you think and how this influences your feelings and behaviours. The program teaches strategies to help you cope better in the short term and workable skills for life so that you can face the future with confidence. Contact your GP to access this online resource.
Young Minds provides information and advice about young people’s mental health.
Call 0808 802 5544 Monday to Friday
If you need urgent help text YM to 85258

Bullying

Respect Me provides practical advice and guidance on dealing with bullying behaviour.
Call 0844 800 8600 or email enquire@respectme.org.uk

Sexuality

The Tie Campaign aims to combat homophobia, biphobia and transphobia in schools.
Email hello@tiecampaign.co.uk or twitter @tiecampaign
LGBT Youth Scotland is a national charity for young people.
Call 0131 555 3940 or email info@lgbtyouth.org.uk

Sexual abuse

Break the Silence is a registered charity providing a range of supports for survivors of rape and childhood sexual abuse, aged 13 years and above.
Call 01563 559558
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.
Call 08088 01 03 02
Speak Out Scotland provides a support service for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
Call 0141 332 9326

Bereavement

Cruse Scotland offers support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.
Call 0845 600 2227
Monday – Thursday 10am – 8pm
Friday 10am – 4pm
Petal Support provides counselling to people who have been affected by the loss of a family member or partner to homicide or suicide in Scotland. They are also providing additional counselling for those who have been affected by a COVID-19 bereavement.
Call 01698 324502 during office hours
Ayrshire Cancer Support provide a range of support for children, young people and families who are affected by cancer or for those who have been bereaved through cancer. They also provide counselling, therapeutic support and patient transport services.
Call 01563 538008 during office hours or visit Ayrshire Cancer Support: Services anytime

Relationships

The Spark Relationship Helpline is a free, confidential telephone and online chat service. You will be listened to and supported with life’s relationship challenges.
Call 0808 802 2088 Tuesday and Wednesday 11am–2pm for support with any relationship issue
Relationships Scotland provide relationship counselling and family mediation and other family support services across Scotland. Their work supports individuals, couples and families experiencing relationship difficulties.
Call 0345 119 2020 during office hours

Suicide

East Ayrshire Council have a dedicated suicide prevention strategy - Here to Listen - a Suicide Prevention page with details of Suicide First Aiders you can contact if you are in crisis together with a full range of supports
If you need someone to talk to, call The Samaritans any time, 24 hours a day for free on 116 123 from any phone. They won’t judge or tell you what to do. They will just listen. Alternatively, it may be easier to write down how you are feeling.
Email jo@thesamaritans.org
Beautiful Inside and Out, a charity which has been involved with a number of Youth and Philanthropy Initiative (YPI) participating schools, was set up by Pauline Moriarty in 2013 following the suicide of her 13 year old daughter Jenna.
The charity provides bespoke counselling and bereavement support to parents and young people in crisis.
Call 07984 328808 or visit the Beautiful Inside and Out Facebook page
Childline is a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. Whatever you are worried about, whenever you need help, Childline is there for you online, on the phone, 24 hours a day.
Call 0800 1111
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) run a free and confidential helpline and webchat 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for men or anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems.
Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day or visit the Calm Zone webchat page
Papyrus is a national charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide for those under 35. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for someone please get in touch.
Call 0800 068 4141 or text 0778 620 9697 for confidential support and practical advice. Opening hours are Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
The Stay Alive app is a suicide prevention resource for the UK, 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. Download from Google Play or download from the Apple Store.

Self harm

Mind can help explain possible causes for self-harm and assist in accessing treatment and support. This site includes tips for helping yourself and guidance for friends and family.
Call 0300 123 3393 or text 86463
SAMH is an online resource to help you understand why you self-harm and gives you self-help techniques, support and guidance.

Financial help

If you are facing a change in your circumstances or are just struggling with paying your bills then you’re not alone and help is at hand. Visit our financial help page for advice.