How It Works

Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere via the medium people already use and trust. Here’s how it works:

First, you’re in crisis. That doesn’t just mean suicide: it’s any painful emotion for which you need support. You text us at 85258. Your opening message can say anything: The opt-in words you see advertised ("HELLO," "START") just help us know where people are learning about us! — First, you’re in crisis. That doesn’t just mean suicide: it’s any painful emotion for which you need support. You text us at 85258.

Your opening message can say anything: The opt-in words you see advertised ("HELLO," "START") just help us know where people are learning about us!

The first two responses are automated. They tell you that you're being connected with a Crisis Volunteer and invite you to share a bit more. The Crisis Volunteer is a trained volunteer, not a professional. They can provide support, but not medical advice. — The first two responses are automated. They tell you that you're being connected with a Crisis Volunteer and invite you to share a bit more.

The Crisis Volunteer is a trained volunteer, not a professional. They can provide support, but not medical advice.

It usually takes around five minutes to connect you with a Crisis Volunteer (It may take longer during high-traffic times). When you’ve reached a Crisis Volunteer, they’ll introduce themselves, reflect on what you’ve said, and invite you to share at your own pace. — It usually takes around five minutes to connect you with a Crisis Volunteer (It may take longer during high-traffic times).

When you’ve reached a Crisis Volunteer, they’ll introduce themselves, reflect on what you’ve said, and invite you to share at your own pace.

You’ll then text back and forth with the Crisis Volunteer. You never have to share anything you don’t want to. The Crisis Volunteer will help you sort through your feelings by asking questions, empathizing, and actively listening. — You’ll then text back and forth with the Crisis Volunteer. You never have to share anything you don’t want to.

The Crisis Volunteer will help you sort through your feelings by asking questions, empathizing, and actively listening.

The conversation typically ends when you and the Crisis Volunteer both feel comfortable deciding that you’re in a “cool,” safe place. After the conversation, you’ll receive an optional survey about your experience. This helps us help you and others like you! — The conversation typically ends when you and the Crisis Volunteer both feel comfortable deciding that you’re in a “cool,” safe place.

After the conversation, you’ll receive an optional survey about your experience. This helps us help you and others like you!

The goal of any conversation is to get you to a calm, safe place. Sometimes that means providing you with a referral to further help, and sometimes it just means being there and listening. A conversation usually lasts anywhere from 15-45 minutes. — The goal of any conversation is to get you to a calm, safe place.

Sometimes that means providing you with a referral to further help, and sometimes it just means being there and listening. A conversation usually lasts anywhere from 15-45 minutes.