Shout

After sending the first text message, you’ll receive a small number of automated text messages to confirm your details, before being connected to one of Shout’s volunteers.

By text message, the volunteer will introduce themselves and ask you to share a bit more about your concerns or worries. This might include feeling anxious, overwhelmed, having relationship problems, addiction, bullying, self harm or suicide.

You can text back and forth and need only share what you feel comfortable with.

The goal of the conversation is to help you reach a calm and safe place with a plan of how to support yourself going forwards. The volunteer may provide you with further resources or tools to help you get more expert support. Conversations over text typically last around 45 minutes.

If you are at immediate risk, please call 999.

It is free to text Shout from all major UK networks: EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. These include BT Mobile, Tesco Mobile, Virgin Mobile, iD Mobile, Sky, Telecom Plus, Lebara and GiffGaff.  

Some Android phones, including the Samsung Galaxy, may issue a warning that you will be charged for sending a message to Shout. Provided you are on one of the networks listed above, this warning is incorrect and you will not be charged. 

If you send a message from a network that is not listed here, there is a possibility that you may be charged and that this may appear on your bill - please check with your operator directly. 

It is not possible to text the service from networks without the capability to send and receive short codes. These include Lyca mobile. If your message will not send, or if you do not receive an automated message in response, this indicates that Shout has not received your message. 

If you are contacting Shout from a network listed above and the service does not appear to be working, you can contact info@giveusashout.org with your mobile phone number and network provider. We need this information to be able to investigate the problem.