Support During Holidays
See below information on student support contact details that you can use during college holidays
In a mental or physical health emergency call 999 or go to A & E (Accident and
Emergency) at St. Johns or your local hospital
If you are in crisis and need to speak to someone:
- Call NHS 111 (for when you need help but are not in immediate danger)
- Contact your GP (doctor) and ask for an emergency appointment
If you require emergency support from the police, please call 999
- If it is too dangerous to speak, dial '55' when prompted.
If you need to contact the police and it’s less urgent than 999, call 101, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to:
- talk to your local police officer
- get crime prevention advice
Or, report a crime that does not need an emergency response, for example:
- your car has been stolen
- your property has been damaged
- you suspect drug use or dealing
- you want to report a minor traffic collision
For other support organisations, please see the following tables.
Mental Health and Suicide
| Organisation | Contact Details | Information |
| Breathing Space |
Phone: 0800 838587 Webchat: Breathing Space website Textphone: 18001 |
Free and confidential phone service for anyone in Scotland feeling low, anxious or depressed Phone: Monday - Thursday: 6pm-2am. Friday - Sunday: 6pm-6am Webchat: Monday - Friday: 6pm-2am. Saturday - Sunday: 4pm-midnight |
| Samaritans |
Phone: 116 123 |
Available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts. |
| Papyrus UK |
Online chat: Papyrus website HOPELINE 24/7: 0300 102 2470 Text: 88247 BSL available through Interpreters Live |
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide (Under 35) and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. |
Shout 85258 |
Test the word 'SHOUT' to 85258 |
Shout is the UK's first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It's a place to go if you're struggling to cope and you need immediate help. |
| Neil's Hugs Foundations |
Contact form: Neil's Hugs website |
Help, understand and give support to families and friends affected by suicide. |
| Side by Side |
Side by Side is an online mental health support community run by Mind which is available 24/7. It is a completely anonymous place to talk openly about your feelings and your experiences with people who are experiencing the same. |
|
| Childline |
Phone: 0800 1111 |
Help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they're going through. Phone, email and 1-1 counselling support, sign with us through BSL Interpreter. |
| Domestic and Sexual Assault Team (DASAT) |
Phone: 01506 281055 (9am - 5pm) Email: DASAT email In person go to: Domestic and Sexual Assault Team, West Lothian Civic Centre, Howden, South Road, Livingston, EH54 6FF |
Working with adults and their children who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse / coercive control in their lives. Trauma counsellors (seconded) from Open Secret offer a confidential service, through DASAT, to adult survivors of both sexual assault and domestic abuse. Counselling service for young people (13-25 years) who have been the victim of sexual abuse / violence. |
| Scotland's Domestic Abuse and Forced Marriage Helpline |
Online chat: SDAFMH website Phone: 0800 027 1234 Email: SDAFMH Helpline email Text / Whatsapp: 07401 288 595 |
Support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week Support anyone experiencing domestic abuse or forced marriage, as well as their family members, friends, colleagues and professionals who support them. |
| Rape Crisis Scotland Helpline |
Phone: 08088 01 03 02 Text: 07537 410 027 |
Lines open 7 days 5pm - midnight. A national rape crisis helpline and email support for anyone affected by sexual violence, no matter when or how it happened. |
| Edinburgh Rape Crisis Centre |
Contact form: ERCC website |
Offer free and confidential emotional and practical support, information and advocacy to women and young people aged 12-18 in Edinburgh, East and Midlothian, who have experienced sexual violence at any time in their lives. This includes rape, sexual assault, sexual abuse, childhood sexual abuse, and commercial sexual exploitation. |
| Abused Men in Scotland (AMIS) |
Phone: 03300 949395 Email: AMIS email |
Lines open Monday - Friday: 9am-4pm and 6-8pm on Wednesday. Support for male domestic abuse victims. |
Drugs and Alcohol
| Organisation | Contact Details | Information |
| West Lothian Drug and Alcohol Services (WLDAS) |
Phone: 01506 430225 Email: WLDAS email |
We are happy to answer any queries or give advice on issues to do with drugs, alcohol or tobacco. Drop-in services throughout West Lothian (Bathgate, Broxburn, Blackburn, Livingston and Whitburn), see website for details. If we can't help, we will point you in the right direction. |
Crime
| Organisation | Contact Details | Information |
| Victim Support Scotland |
Contact form: Victim Support Scotland website Phone: 0800 160 1985 |
Free and confidential support for anyone affected by crime. Lines open Monday - Friday: 8am-8pm. Saturday - Sunday: 10am-4pm |
Financial and Homelessness
| Organisation | Contact Details | Information |
| West Lothian Foodbank |
Phone: 01501 229307 Email: West Lothian Foodbank email |
Providing emergency food for those who need it. |
| The Advice Shop |
Phone: 01506 283000 Email: Advice Shop email |
Information, advice and representation on welfare rights, employment rights, money and debt, housing and energy efficiency. |
| Council |
Phone: 01506 280000 Social work out of hours: 01506 281028 |
We can help with a range of services including council tax and benefits, health and social care, housing and your community. Contact us for health services and mental health services. |
Childcare
| Organisation | Contact Details | Information |
| Home Start West Lothian |
Home Start West Lothian website Phone: 01506 415755 |
Offer support, friendship, and practical help to parents with young children in communities throughout West Lothian. Specially trained volunteers with firsthand experience are carefully matched with families who are visited in their own homes. Support is free, confidential and non-judgemental. |
| Social Work - emergency out of hourse |
Phone: 01506 281028 or 01506 281029 |
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