Mental Health Crisis

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis (e.g. thoughts of imminent serious self-harm or suicide, disturbed behaviour, or psychotic symptoms) and you need urgent assistance, please make contact with one or more of the following agencies, who will be able to help you.

Contact a trusted friend or family member.

Samaritans:  Freephone 116 123. Open 24/7 every day of the year. You don’t have to be suicidal to use their service.

SANE line:  A specialist mental health helpline. Dial 0300 304 7000 between 4.30 pm and 10.30 pm each evening.

Papyrus:  Freephone 0800 068 4141. Supports teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

If you think you may self-harm or act on suicidal feelings, or have already done so, go to any hospital A&E department. If necessary, dial 999 for an ambulance.

NHS 111 Service:  For non-urgent medical help, dial freephone 111 (24 hour helpline).

See your GP:  Emergency appointments may be available. If out of hours, there is usually an answerphone message telling you where you can get help.

If you already have contact with mental health services, phone your Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) or your crisis team if you have one. If you have a care plan or crisis plan, check it for who to call in a crisis.

National Domestic Violence Helpline:  Also links to Refuge and Women’s Aid. Freephone 0808 2000 247 (24 hour helpline).

Rape Crisis:  To find your local services dial freephone 0808 802 9999 (daily, 12-2.30 pm, 7-9.30 pm).

Alcoholics Anonymous:  National helpline is freephone 0800 9177 650.

Narcotics Anonymous:  National helpline is 0300 999 1212 (10 am – midnight, 7 days a week).

Mind:  A national UK charity with comprehensive information about being prepared for and dealing with mental health crises, including how to get urgent help. For their Infoline, dial 0300 123 3393 or text 86463 (9 am – 6 pm, Mon to Fri, except bank holidays).