Help is only a few clicks away

We all go through rough patches in our lives. I think that they key thing to remember during these times is that we don't need to suffer through them alone. There are so many people who are both able and willing to help us deal with whatever issues we may be experiencing at the present moment, all we have to do is determine who these people are and have the courage to allow them to help us.

It could be anyone: a friend, a family member, a teacher, a boss, a therapist or even a friendly stranger. The truth is, there is always someone willing to listen.

There are also a great number of websites and helplines specifically dedicated to helping you get out of particular situations that you find yourself in, whether that's suicidal thoughts, eating disorders, mental health issues or something else entirely, I assure you, help is only a few clicks away.

*NOTE: The below numbers and websites are UK based. I am working on a list of international numbers and websites dedicated to the below issues. If you know of any based in countries other than the UK, please, leave a comment at the bottom of the page*

People who can help with suicidal thoughts:

Samaritans - 08457 90 90 90 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at jo@samaritans.org)

Papyrus - 0800 068 41 41 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at pat@papyrus-uk.org)

Life think - 0141 552 4434 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at info@lifelink.org.uk)

Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

Childline - 0800 1111

Hope for today

People who can help with mental health issues:

Breathing space - 0800 83 85 87

Rethink mental illness - 0300 5000 927

Samaritans - 08457 90 90 90 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at jo@samaritans.org)

Sane - 0845 767 8000 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at sanemail@org.uk)

Life think - 0141 552 4434 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at info@lifelink.org.uk)


Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

Young Minds - 0808 802 5544

Childline - 0800 1111

Anxiety UK - 08444 775 774

Scottish association for mental health

Ed space

OCD UK

Depression alliance

Bipolar UK

Mind

Schizophrenia world

Seasonal affective disorder association

People who can help with eating disorders:

Childline - 0800 1111


Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

Beat - 0845 634 1414 (they also have a live chat feature on their website)

Anorexia and bulimia care - 03000 11 12 13 

Young Minds - 0808 802 5544

People who can help with self harm:

Recover your life - they have a live help feature on their website, but it's not online 24 hours a day


Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

Childline - 0800 1111

Youth net - 020 7250 5700 

Life think - 0141 552 4434 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at info@lifelink.org.uk)

Life signs

People who can help with bullying:

Childline - 0800 1111


Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

Kidscape - 08451 205 204

Respect me

Beat bullying 

Bullying UK

People who can help with rape and sexual abuse:

Childline - 0800 1111


Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

Survivors UK - 0845 122 1201

Rape crisis - 0808 802 9999

Rape and sexual abuse counselling - 01962 871 717 or 01962 871 718

Family matters - 01474 537 392

People who can help with domestic violence: 

Childline - 0800 1111


Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

Broken rainbow - 0300 999 5428 (LGBT) (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at help@brokenrainbow.org.uk)

Women's aid - 0808 2000 247 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, you can also email them at helpline@womensaid.org.uk)

Everyman project - 0207 2638884

Karma Nirvana - 08005999247

Refuge - 0808 2000 247

Mankind

The hide out

Domestic abuse

People who can help with child abuse:

Childline - 0800 1111


Get connected - 0808 808 4994 (if you don't feel comfortable with phoning them, they also offer email and web chat services on their website)

National society for the prevention of cruelty to children

Other useful charities

C-R-Y (cardiac risk in the young)

Hearts can heal project

There's only so much heartache that you can watch others go through before you feel compelled to act.

For the past two years, I have heard some truly heartbreaking stories from people all over the world. From abuse to mental illness, suicide to eating disorders, these people have been put through some of the most horrible experiences that there are to go through. They come from different countries and they have all gone through unique experiences, yet, the one thing that each of them share is the strength that they have gained after going through the pain of earlier situations.

And that is what this project is about.
Reminding ourselves that our pain does not define us, it does not control us, and it certainly does not dictate the person that we will become.

The hearts can heal project aims to educate people about serious issues, raise awareness of said issues and ensure those who are suffering from them that there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and that there are always people who would happily help to guide them through the present darkness in order for them to reach said light. Because the truth is, we can handle anything that life throws at us, but we can't handle it alone, and more importantly, we don't have to.

I'll be writing a series of posts about issues such as eating disorders, self-harm and mental disorders for the project, and I will post one daily for seven days. I'll give you guys an update nearer the time to let you know which week this is happening on, and which issue each day is dedicated to. If you've been affected by any of the issues, you feel strongly about them or just want to share a message with those struggling with it, then I'd be happy for you to write something to be included in the project. If I can, I'll try to come up with a way that you can do so anonymously, if you so choose.

This will be the symbol of 

the hearts can heal project 

Each day of the week, draw this heart on your wrist or on your hand (or do something more creative with it, if you feel up to that) to show your support for those dealing with the issues mentioned, and to remind yourself that whatever pain that you might be experiencing WILL subside eventually, and that you will be a stronger person for having experienced it. And if someone happens to ask you what it's for? Just tell them that it's for a symbol of support for those struggling with whichever hearts can heal issue that you feel most strongly about.

This is just a rough outline of what I envision the project to be like, really.
I'm totally up for further suggestions. I'd love to hear your ideas!