In immediate danger? Call 999. Thinking about suicide right now? Samaritans - 116 123, free, 24/7.

Get the Not Okay app

Save Not Okay to your home screen. It opens like an app, the helplines still load without signal, and it's free: no app store, no account, no ads.

If someone else checks your phone, think about whether you want a Not Okay icon on it. The website works just as well without it.

Support in Kent and Medway

Local help across Kent and Medway, from a 24/7 helpline to places you can walk into tonight without an appointment.

Everything here is free. If you're in danger right now, call 999 or go to A&E.

Local help

Free. The cards show what's open right now, in UK time.

Hours can change on bank holidays. See every service
Emergency

Life in danger right now

999
24/7, or go to A&E
Kent and Medway helpline, age 16+

Release the Pressure

0800 107 0160Text STAND to 85258
Free, 24/7, every day of the year

Kent and Medway's own helpline, for anyone 16 or over who's struggling. Free and confidential. You don't need to be in crisis to call.

Urgent, not an emergency

NHS 111, option 2

111
24/7 in England and Wales

Puts you through to your local NHS mental health crisis team.

Walk in, open 24 hours, age 18+

Medway Safe Haven

Find it
Open 24 hours, every day. No appointment, no referral

Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham ME7 5NY. Somewhere to go when things feel too much, and someone to talk to. You can just walk in.

Walk in, evenings, age 18+

Gillingham Safe Haven

Find it
6pm to 11pm, every day. No appointment, no referral

The Sunlight Centre, Richmond Road, Gillingham ME7 1LX. Somewhere to go in the evening if you're struggling and don't want to be on your own.

Walk in, age 18+

Safe Havens across Kent

All 10 Safe Havens
Every evening, and Margate and Medway are open 24 hours

Also in Ashford, Canterbury, Dartford, Folkestone, Maidstone, Margate, Ramsgate and Tunbridge Wells. Free, no appointment and no referral needed.

Struggling to cope, any time

Samaritans

116 123
Free, 24/7, every day of the year

For anyone struggling to cope. You don't need to be suicidal to call.

Prefer to text

Shout

Text SHOUT to 85258
Free, confidential, 24/7

A trained volunteer texts back. No calls, no talking out loud.

Ongoing support, age 17+

Live Well Kent and Medway

0800 567 7699livewellkent.org.uk
Free. Phone 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday

Free help with your mental health and wellbeing, from confidence, therapy and counselling to work, education, or drink and drugs. You can refer yourself. Not an emergency service.

After a suicide

Amparo

0330 088 9255amparo.org.uk
Free, in Kent and Medway

Support for anyone affected by a suicide. A liaison worker listens, helps with practical things, and links you to other local support.

Peer support groups in Medway

Megan CIC

01634 402 077
Medway

Group support for adults who have, or have had, mental health problems.

For men 25+, out of work or retired

Medway Men in Sheds

01634 338 600
Gillingham

A place to make things, share skills and have a brew with other blokes. Sometimes it's easier to talk side by side than face to face.

Peer support for men

Andy's Man Club

andysmanclub.co.uk
Every Monday at 7pm (except bank holidays)

Free peer support groups for men aged 18 and over, at venues across the UK and online. No referral needed. You can just turn up.

Nothing matches that filter.

Which one, when?

  • In danger right now: call 999 or go to A&E.
  • Struggling and need to talk, any time: Release the Pressure on 0800 107 0160, or Samaritans on 116 123.
  • Need the NHS mental health team urgently: call 111 and choose the mental health option.
  • Don't want to be on your own tonight: walk into a Safe Haven. No appointment, no referral.
  • Want support that lasts longer than tonight: Live Well Kent and Medway is free for anyone 17 or over, and you can refer yourself.
  • Lost someone to suicide: Amparo supports anyone affected, free and confidentially.