Crisis
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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 is available, even if services seem busy at the moment.
NHS urgent mental health helplines
NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages.
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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
Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline
Information:
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.
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.
Use the NHS 111 online service, or 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
How a mental health emergency is treated in A&E
If you go to A&E, the staff should treat you with respect and look after any immediate physical and mental health needs.
They should also refer you to a liaison psychiatry service or local crisis resolution and home treatment team (CRHT).
liaison psychiatry services on the Royal College of Psychiatrists website
crisis resolution and home treatment teams (CRHTs) on the Mind website
The team in charge of your care will assess you and decide on the best course of care.
This usually involves supporting you with your mental health at home. They may also refer you to other services to support your needs.
Making a safety plan
If you struggle with suicidal thoughts or are supporting someone else, it may help to make a safety plan to use if you need it:
the Staying Safe website provides information on how to make a safety plan, including video tutorials and online templates to guide you through the process
the mental health charity Mind also provides information on planning for a mental health crisis
