If you or someone else is in danger right now, call 999 in the UK, 911 in Canada or 111 in New Zealand. In Ireland and the EU, 112 works. Elsewhere, use your local emergency number.

If you want to talk to someone

You don't need the right words. Most of these services are free, so check each line for details. They are independent of wbu, and calling or texting them tells wbu nothing.

In the UK

  • Samaritans: call 116 123. Free, open 24 hours, 365 days a year. For anyone, including people worried about someone else.
  • Shout: text SHOUT to 85258. Free on most UK mobile networks, 24/7.
  • Childline: call 0800 1111. Free, for anyone under 19.

In Ireland, Canada and New Zealand

  • Ireland. Emergency: 112 or 999. Samaritans: 116 123, free, day or night. Pieta: 1800 247 247, free, 24 hours. Childline (ISPCC): 1800 66 66 66, 24 hours. Text HELP to 51444 (standard rates may apply to texts).
  • Canada. Emergency: 911. 9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline: call or text 988, 24/7, in English and French. Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868, or text CONNECT to 686868, 24/7, ages 5 to 29.
  • New Zealand. Emergency: 111. 1737 Need to talk?: call or text 1737, free, 24/7. Youthline: 0800 376 633, or text 234, 24/7.

Somewhere else

In the EU and EEA, 112 is the emergency number. Helplines differ by country, and most answer in the local language. You can find one for your country at findahelpline.com.

These organisations are independent. They don't endorse wbu, and wbu has no link with them.

These details come from each service's own published information, read on 17 October 2026. We are still ringing and texting each one to check it connects. If a number doesn't work, please tell us at hello@wbu-app.com.

If you're worried about someone

You don't need the right words. Being there and listening helps. Samaritans are there for people worried about someone else too. If you think they're in danger right now, call 999.

What "I'm not OK" does and doesn't do

In the wbu app, "I'm not OK" is a separate button, a raised hand at the top of the screen. It lets you tell the people you've chosen, straight away, that you're not OK.

  • You press it, and only you. A second, deliberate step sends it, so it's harder to send by accident.
  • It goes to the people you choose. Your emergency contacts are ticked to start with; nobody else is.
  • It carries nothing from your diary. Just that you're not OK.
  • It's free for everyone, always. It's never behind a payment.
  • The person who gets it sees a calm note with ways to help, and can reply.
  • They can call or text you only if the two of you already had each other's numbers. Otherwise they reply in the app with a preset message.

What it doesn't do:

  • wbu never contacts anyone for you. Not emergency services, not a family member, not us.
  • wbu doesn't read your entries to decide you're not OK. Choosing "really sad" on a check-in sends nothing.
  • It can't promise that someone will reply.
  • It isn't a replacement for support.

What wbu is not

wbu is a diary and sharing app, not a medical service, and it can't give advice.

For parents and carers

wbu isn't a supervision app. You see only what a young person chooses to share with you, as a gentle summary of the parts they picked, never their words. Nobody can link a young person's account without them agreeing, and wbu doesn't tell parents when accounts link. Young people are told plainly what others can see. If you're worried about someone, talking in the way you usually would is a good start.