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Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. No matter what your age or where you live in Northern Ireland, if you are or someone you know is in distress or despair, Lifeline is here to help.

People living in Northern Ireland can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000. Deaf and hard of hearing Textphone users can call Lifeline on 18001 0808 808 8000. Calls to Lifeline are free to people living in Northern Ireland who are calling from UK landlines and mobiles.

Lifeline counsellors are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to listen and help, in confidence.

A to Z of local councils in Northern Ireland

Find contact details for councils in Northern Ireland

You can get £96.35 per week Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if you’re too ill to work. It’s paid by your employer for up to 28 weeks.

Our courses have been proven to increase confidence and develop the skills needed to enter Higher Education and succeed with learning.

You can choose an OpenLearn course from a wide range of subjects. Some are based on Open University course materials. Others are written specifically for OpenLearn.

This is a programme that can make a big difference to your life. It can help you manage your feelings when you are stressed, worried or depressed and learn simple practical skills to help you cope with life’s challenges.

• This is a six-session programme using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) concepts – the most evidenced-based talking therapy for people affected by low mood, anxiety or depression.
• The programme has been developed by Dr Chris Williams, professor of psychiatry at the University of Glasgow and a recognised expert in developing self-help resources based on CBT.
• It introduces participants to the ‘Five Areas Approach’ which illustrates that events and situations in our lives affect how we think, how we feel, how we behave and also affect us physically.
• Thinking and behaviour are the two areas that we have the most control over, if we tend to think and/or behave in extreme and unhelpful ways, it can adversely affect the other areas and lead to us getting caught in a ‘vicious circle’. The programme, therefore, focuses on how we can challenge and change our thinking and behaviour in order to turn the circle into a ‘virtuous circle’.

We are delighted to offer delivery of our Living Life to the Full programme online through Zoom as an alternative to face to face delivery during Covid-19

As the HSCNI can’t deliver our Stress Control classes in the community just now, Dr Jim White will, instead, live-stream the classes until December, free-of-charge. Click here to get all the dates. To find out more about Stress Control click here

All you need to successfully complete this class is to watch each of the six sessions, read the booklets and use the relaxation and mindfulness. You can find the sessions on YouTube.

Click the button below to access our YouTube channel where the classes will be available to view at the scheduled times if you want to ‘attend’ the class and will remain online for 48 hours if you want to watch in your own time. Please subscribe to the YouTube page for session notifications

Psychological first aid is a humane, simple, yet powerful way of helping someone in distress during and after a crisis like the COVID 19 pandemic. It involves paying attention to the person’s reactions, active listening and if relevant, practical assistance to help address immediate problems and basic needs.

All of the helplines listed on this website are still operational unless otherwise stated and are continuing to provide information, advice and guidance on a wide-range of health and wellbeing needs. Please use the search box below to find a helpline and to speak to someone today.

A number of new helplines have been established in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic and are providing topic specific information and advice in relation to COVID-19

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is an arm’s-length body sponsored by the Department for Work and Pensions, established at the beginning of 2019, and also engages with HM Treasury on policy matters relating to financial capability and debt advice.

We help people – particularly those most in need – to improve their financial wellbeing and build a better, more confident future. Working collaboratively across the UK, we make sure customers can access high-quality money and pensions guidance and debt advice throughout their lives, how and when they need it.

The Steps to deal with stress booklet provides tips and practical advice on coping with stress in your life and covers recognising stress, getting ready, coping better, learning from bad experiences and taking action now. Simple steps such as relaxation exercises and talking to someone can help you feel better and put you in a better frame of mind for dealing with your problems.