How Shout 85258 works
How Shout 85258 works
Our trained volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safe place. Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service for anyone in the UK. It won’t appear on your phone bill.
To start a conversation, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258.
If your life is at imminent risk, call the emergency services on 999.
What happens when you use the service?
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1. Text
To start a conversation, text the word ‘Shout’ to 85258. If you’re feeling low, anxious, worried, lonely, overwhelmed, suicidal or not quite yourself, we are here for you.
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2. Connect
Once you text us you’ll receive four automated messages before you are connected to one of our empathetic Shout Volunteers. This will usually be within five minutes, but if we are busy it can take longer.
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3. Chat
The volunteer will introduce themselves and ask you to share a bit more about what’s bothering you. This might include feeling anxious, having relationship problems, addiction, depression, bullying, self-harm and suicide. You will text back and forth and share what you feel comfortable with.
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4. Plan
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. As well as listening without judgement, our volunteers may provide you with further resources or tools to help you get more expert support.
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5. Calm
Your conversation will only end when the volunteer is sure you are in a safe and calm place. Conversations tend to last around 40 minutes.
85258
We're here for you 24/7
Testimonials
Thank you for helping me tonight. Things have been rough lately but talking to you helped a lot. I feel a lot better and the resources you provided are very helpful. I cannot thank you enough.