Lifeline is the Northern Ireland crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. 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 this line are free.
Lifeline is an extremely important social service. No one is immune from a negative psychological or a stressful situation, during which there is no way to get outpatient psychological assistance. At such moments, the hotline is the only way to get help and support in order to overcome difficulties.
Who may need emergency psychological counseling by phone?
- People who experience a very strong emotional experience of an unbearable nature, which requires the help of a specialist;
- People who have received psychological trauma;
- People who are experiencing severe stress and want to find a way out of this condition;
- People who have suffered the loss of a loved one or who have experienced grief and who, due to circumstances, do not understand how to live on;
- Persons who cannot understand themselves;
- People with depression who are suicidal;
- Those people who came to the conclusion that they need professional psychological assistance, but who, for various reasons, postpone visiting a specialist;
- Adolescents who have difficulties in the relationship with a partner and they see their solution only in a fatal act.
Hotline confidence principles
- Anonymity. The caller and the consultant may not give their real name and provide another personal information about themselves during a conversation. This also applies to the phone number from which the call was received;
- Confidentiality. All information received during a conversation with a hotline consultant is not transmitted and is not used in the future, and the data obtained during a conversation is maximally depersonalized;
- Tolerance. Whatever opinion, views and beliefs the caller does not adhere to, he or she is not criticized or condemned. The consultant will try to understand the caller in any situation.
- Conversation management. The person who called the hotline can end the conversation at any time or change his or her subject abruptly, without explanation.
The psychological assistance service employs professional psychologists who will help to cope with the problem, give advice on how to correctly overcome life’s difficulties, or simply let the caller speak out.
The Lifeline helpline is funded by the Department of Health and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.