Action on Depression offers telephone and e-mail information.

About the service

If you just want a bit of guidance and information from someone who understands about depression, get in touch with us. 

While we are not a counselling service, we have a lot of experience of depression and can empathise and understand what you are going through.  If you need counselling or more in in-depth support, we can give you details about how to go about getting it.

How to contact Action on Depression

As from the 1st October 2011, Action on Depression will be operating a weekly telephone information service.  This service will operate every Wednesday from 2pm until 4pm.  You can contact us on our freephone number 0808 802 2020.  This number is even free from mobiles and it won't appear on your bills!

If you prefer you can email us.  This email will be checked on Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning and we will endeavor to give a response within 3 working days.

If you want to write a letter, our address is 11 Alva Street, Edinburgh EH2 4PH. 

The purpose of this service is to guide people towards appropriate help and support across Scotland and to give comprehensive and impartial information about depression and related topics. 

We don't operate a drop-in service so please don't visit.  If you want to speak to someone face-to-face the Samaritans offer a drop-in service at many of their branches throughout Scotland. To find out if your local branch can offer this service, please choose your local branch on their website.

I need help outwith our opening hours

Visit our urgent help page for details of services that are available outwith our opening hours.

Will you tell anyone I've contacted you?

The helpline service is confidential and can be anonymous: you do not have to give your name if you prefer and we have removed the technology to be able to trace your call.  It is run by staff at Action on Depression.

If we consider there is a serious and immediate risk to your own life, we will encourage you to give us your details so we can get priority help to you. We might suggest that we contact a friend, relative, community support worker or the emergency services on your behalf.  We will only do this with your permission and will always talk to you about it first. 

If you have included your address in your email, we will assume this is consent and, if we believe you are at serious risk, we will contact emergency services to make sure you are safe.

Action on Depression are members of the Helplines Association

What information can Action on Depression provide?

We answer a wide variety of questions about depression and other problems caused by depression.  You may find the answer to your question in our pages about depression, but if not please get in touch.