If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.
It's important to know that support services are available for you to access, whatever you’re going through.
NHS urgent mental health helplines
NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages.
You can call for:
- 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
- help to speak to a mental health professional
- an assessment to help decide on the best course of care
If you've already been given a crisis line number to use in an emergency, it's best to call it.
If you just need to talk, any time of day or night
Free listening services
These services offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
- Text "SHOUT" to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text "YM" if you're under 19
If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
These services will only share your information if they are very worried about you or think you are in immediate danger.
Coping during a crisis
The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis.
This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours.
Urgent advice:Get advice from 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if:
- you are not able to speak to your local NHS urgent mental health helpline
- you need help urgently for your mental health, but it's not an emergency
- you're not sure what to do
111 will tell you the right place to get help if you need to see someone. Call 111.
You may be able to speak to a nurse, or mental health nurse, over the phone.
A GP can advise you about helpful treatments and also help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some services.
Immediate action required:Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- someone's life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
- you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time. Call: 999
Further local advicse is avaialbe here:
