External Support Organisations
There are a range of organisations that can offer help and support to you, no matter what you are going through.
Wellbeing and health support services
Samaritans
A National Service for anything that is worrying you, open 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
Phone: 116 123
Visit the Samaritans website for more information and other ways to get in touch with them.
NHS 24
Critical health support available outside of GP opening hours. Their 111 service can provide urgent care advice and mental health support day or night.
Phone: 111
Visit the NHS 24 website for more information.
Breathing Space
A confidential phone line for anyone in Scotland feeling low, anxious or depressed. Open evenings and weekends (Monday - Thursday 6pm - 2am and Friday 6pm - Monday 6am).
Phone: 0800 83 85 87
For more information visit the Breathing Space website.
Beat Eating Disorders
Beat support people who have or are worried they have an eating disorder, as well as others affected, such as friends and family members. They offer support for adults, students and young people through their three helplines, open Monday-Friday 9am-8pm and Saturday - Sunday 4pm-8pm.
Phone: 0808 801 0811 (student line)
Visit the Beat Eating Disorders website for more information about their support services.
Edinburgh Nightline
A confidential and non-judgemental support and information service, run by students, for students. Open from 8pm till midnight every night of term.
Phone: 0131 557 4444
Instant messaging is also available on the Edinburgh Nightline website during opening hours.
LGBT Health and Wellbeing Helpline
Provide information and emotional support to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and their families, friends and supporters across Scotland. Open Tuesday-Wednesday 12pm-9pm and Thursday - Sunday 1pm-6pm.
Phone: 0300 123 2523
Visit the LGBT Health website for more information.
LGBT Youth Scotland
LGBT Youth Scotland offer live chat with their experienced digital youth workers where they offer support, information and advice. Live chat is available on Monday 2pm-8pm, Wednesday 4pm-8pm and Thursday 6pm-8pm.
Visit the LGBT Youth Scotland website for more information and other ways to get in touch.
Mental Health Assessment Service
A nurse-led emergency mental health assessment service for people experiencing a mental health crisis. Open 24 hours a day.
Phone: 0131 286 8137
For more information about the Mental Health Assessment Service, visit the NHS Lothian website.
Children 1st Parentline
Children 1st provide practical and emotional support to families across the country. If you need support from Children 1st you can contact them seven days a week on their phone line or you can visit the Children 1st website for more information. Parentline is open Monday - Friday 9am-9pm and Saturday - Sunday 9am-12am.
Phone: 08000 28 22 33
OCD-UK Advice Line
Support and information about OCD. If you have a query about Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder you can contact the OCD-UK advice line which is usually available Monday - Friday 9.30 am- 3.30pm.
Phone: 01332 588112
Visit the OCD-UK website for more information about the support they offer.
Edinburgh Crisis Centre
Support for people experiencing a mental health crisis, open 24 hours a day.
Phone: 0808 801 0414
Email: crisis@edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk
Visit the Edinburgh Crisis Centre website for more information.
Saheliya
Saheliya is a specialist mental health and well-being support organisation for black, minority ethnic, asylum seeker, refugee and migrant women and girls (12+) in the Edinburgh and Glasgow area.
Visit the Saheliya website for more information about how they can support you.
SilverCloud Health
We have partnered with SilverCloud to provide a range of mental health and emotional wellbeing online modules free for students and staff. It’s easy to get started and there are programmes on resilience, positive body image, anxiety and more.
Sign up for SilverCloud Health.
Gender based violence
Rape Crisis Scotland
Rape Crisis Scotland run a national support line and provide support and information for anyone affected by sexual violence open daily from 6pm–12am, 365 days a year.
Phone: 08088 01 03 02
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre
Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre offer free and confidential emotional and practical support, information and advocacy to women, all members of the trans community, non-binary people and young people aged 12-18 in Edinburgh, East and Midlothian, who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives.
Visit the Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre website for more information.
West Lothian Council Domestic and Sexual Assault Team (DSAT)
Confidential and friendly support to people who have experienced abuse, available Monday - Friday 9am-5pm.
Phone: 01506 281 055
Email: dasat@westlothian.gov.uk
Scottish Women's Aid
Scottish Women’s Aid is the lead organisation in Scotland working towards the prevention of domestic abuse. They offer confidential support and advice through their domestic abuse and forced marriage helpline, open 24 hours a day.
Phone: 0800 027 1234
Visit the Scottish Women's Aid website for more information about the support they offer.
Local branches in Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian can also be contacted on the below information:
- Edinburgh Women's Aid - 0131 315 8110 or duty@edinwomensaid.co.uk
- Midlothian and East Lothian Women's Aid - 01968 670970 or info@womensaideml.org
- West Lothian Women's Aid - 01506 413 721
Shakti Women’s Aid
Help for black minority ethnic (BME) women, children and young people who are experiencing, or who have experienced, domestic abuse. Support is available Monday 9.30am-4pm, Tuesday 1pm-4pm, and Wednesday-Friday 9.30am-4pm.
Phone: 0131 475 2399
Visit the Shakti Women's Aid website for more information.
Men's Advice Line
Confidential helpline for male victims of domestic abuse, open Monday-Friday 9am-8pm.
Phone: 0808 8010327
Visit the Men's Advice Line website for more information about support available.
Abused Men in Scotland Helpline
Confidential helpline for men who experience domestic abuse, open Monday-Friday 9am-4pm.
Phone: 03300 949 395
Visit the Abused Men in Scotland website for more information about support available.
Support during COVID-19
Food banks
Food banks are grassroots, community organisations aimed at supporting people who cannot afford the essentials in life. They can help during challenging times. Visit the Trussell Trust website to find your nearest food bank.
SCVO Community Assistance Directory
SCVO have set up a community assistance directory for those supporting their communities around Scotland to find and offer help during Covid-19.
Visit the SCVO website to learn more about the support available to you.
Councils
Information from Councils local to the College can be found on their websites. Your local Council can offer support relating to Covid-19 and a wide range of other topics.