Contact the TSA Support Line
We are here for everyone in the Tuberous Sclerosis Complex community
The TSA is a proud member of the Helplines Partnership, a national body that represents and supports organisations that manage help and support lines.
The TSA Support Line is fully accredited by Helplines Partnership, demonstrating the level of quality and service that the TSA Support Team offers those who we support.
We’re proud to offer a service of a high quality, and continue to work hard to make it even better.
The TSA Support Line is here for TSC-specific questions or for a listening ear. However, the TSA Support Line is not a crisis line. If you think you need urgent crisis support, we want you to get the best support possible. Please contact Samaritans (dial 116 123, 24 hours a day, 7 days or week) or one of these services:
Urgent medical attention and advice
- In an emergency: please dial 999
- Urgent medical attention: go to your nearest Accident and Emergency Department or ring your GP for an emergency GP appointment
- Urgent medical advice: call NHS 24 by dialling 111 (if you are in Northern Ireland, please find your nearest out of hours service here)
Crisis support
- Samaritans – 116 123, phoneline open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
- Crisis Text Line – 85258 (text), provides free, 24/7, high-quality text-based mental health support and crisis intervention. Free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere
Mental health support
- Hub of Hope – Ran by charity Chasing the Stigma, Hub of Hope brings local, national, peer, community, charity, private and NHS mental health support and services together in one place
- NHS England local urgent mental health support – Provides a run-down of local mental health support for urgent support needs
- Breathing Space (Scotland) – 0800 83 85 87, a free, confidential, phone and webchat service for anyone in Scotland over the age of 16 experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. Monday-Thursday 6pm to 2am, Friday 6pm-Monday 6am
- C.A.L.L Mental Health Helpline (Wales) – 0800 132 737 / text 81066, free, confidential listening and support service. Open 24 hours a day
- Lifeline (Northern Ireland) – 0808 808 8000 / textphone 18001 0808 808 8000, crisis response helpline service for people who are experiencing distress or despair. Open 24 hours a day
The TSA Support Line is a way for the TSC community to speak to a small, dedicated and home-based team that serves only the TSC community.
You can talk to the TSA’s small team of friendly and professional advisers about any TSC-related topic, such as taking your first steps following a recent diagnosis, accessing emotional support during a tough period, or securing a referral from your GP to an NHS TSC clinic. The TSA Support Line is also open to TSC professionals who support and care for people affected by TSC.
Whether you speak to our advisers regularly throughout your TSC journey, or if you speak to us only once, we are here for you and your family.
The TSA Support Line is continually shaped by feedback, concerns and ideas from the TSC community that we have received during TSA events, online surveys, telephone focus groups and ongoing discussions.
Through the TSA’s support services team, the active TSC online community and flagship TSA annual events, you should never feel alone with TSC.
What to expect from the TSA Support Line
The TSA Support Line includes:
- Contact via telephone (free to call), email, web chat and post
- Friendly, professional TSA advisers, available 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday, who understand TSC and its impact
- A small, dedicated and home-based team that serves only the TSA community
- Signposting to specialist and local services when additional expert support is needed
- A team who are trained and knowledgeable about the impact of living with TSC across all four UK nations
- For education, social and health professionals: An opportunity to be educated on the impact that TSC can have on lives
Help and support with legal issues
The TSA’s support team is not able to offer advice or information on legal issues. However, there is help available from a range of sources about legislation, lasting power of attorney and legal welfare.
The Office of Public Guardian provides information and the sources on a range of legal issues, including lasting power of attorney.
The Court of Protection makes decisions on financial or welfare matters for people who can’t make decisions at the time they need to be made.
Charities and other voluntary organisations, such as Disability Rights UK and Cerebra, also offer guides and advice on legal issues.
Make a one off or regular donation
£10 Can allow us to send a welcome pack to a family who has just received a life-changing TSC diagnosis, ensuring that they do not go through this time alone.
£25 Can help us develop materials that are included in our support services, flagship events or campaigns.
£50 Can provide laboratory equipment for a day’s research into the causes, symptoms, management or treatment of TSC.
To provide help for today and a cure for tomorrow