Need help now? Call free on 0800 83 85 87

Opening hours

Weekdays: Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am

Weekend: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am

This service is for people in Scotland

How can I help?

How can I help someone who is depressed?

If you have concerns about someone, our advisors at Breathing Space are here to listen and offer advice in confidence.


Encourage them to see a doctor

  • The most important things you can do are to listen and to help them arrange appropriate assessment and treatment.
  • You may need to make them an appointment and accompany them to the doctor.
  • Encourage them to stick with their treatment plan until symptoms begin to subside (several weeks), or to seek different treatment if no improvement occurs.
  • You may have to monitor whether they are taking their medication.

Offer support

  • Offer emotional support and show understanding, patience, affection and encouragement.
  • Talk to them, listen carefully and do not ignore remarks about suicide.
  • Invite them out for walks, outings and other activities, being gently insistent if they refuse but not pushing them to undertake too much too soon.
  • Do not accuse them of faking illness or expect them “to snap out of it”.

Keep reassuring them that with time and help, they will feel better.

Other information

Breathing Space opening hours

24 hours at weekends (6pm Friday – 6am Monday).

6pm to 2am on weekdays (Monday – Thursday).

Phone and speak to a Breathing Space advisor on 0800 83 85 87.

Use a textphone to contact Breathing Space on 18001 0800 83 85 87, or use the Relay UK app.

Other languages and formats

This information is also available in:

British Sign Language (BSL)

Breathing Space Live Chat

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Can you let us know a bit about yourself so we can try to help?

Breathing Space is available for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16. Childline can provide help and advice about a wide range of issues on 0800 1111 or http://www.childline.org.uk

< 16
16 - 18
19 - 24
25 - 34
35 - 44
45 - 54
55 - 64
65 - 75
over 75
Female
Male
Prefer to self-describe
Prefer not to say