Emergency Help – Getting help in a crisis

If you need urgent mental health support or feel you are in danger or a crisis, please contact the following services for immediate help:

  • Attend your nearest Accident & Emergency Centre (A&E) if you are able to, or call 999
  • If it is between working hours (9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday) you can contact your GP
  • Your local NHS urgent mental health helpline (England only) this can be found via the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/service-search/mental-health/find-an-urgent-mental-health-helpline. If you live in Wales please call NHS 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support
  • The Samaritans have a 24-hour free confidential support line on 116 123
  • If you are unable to speak, or prefer to text, you can text SHOUT to 85258

There are lots of other listening and support lines available for anyone who is struggling, a more comprehensive list can be found at www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/helplines-listening-services.

If you need tools or strategies to help you in a crisis, you can access practical tools to use right now, by yourself, wherever you are via the Mind page at www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help.

If you are aged under 18, and you need urgent mental health support or feel you are in danger or a crisis please try and speak to an adult you trust as soon as possible. This includes:

  • Someone in your family, like your parent or carer
  • Someone at school, like a teacher or Place2Be (if you have it in your school)
  • Your GP
  • An adult at an organisation who can help, this includes
    • Shout – you can text CONNECT to 85258, free and available 24/7
    • Childline – Call 0800 1111, chat online or send an email
    • The Samaritans – have a 24-hour free confidential support line on 116 123

If you are a parent, carer or adult worried about a child please visit www.place2be.org.uk/page/get-urgent-help/#get-support-now for help and support recommendations, however if someone’s life is in immediate danger, please call 999.

All contacts and content were accurate when published. Last updated May 2024.