How to get help in a mental health crisis

If you're experiencing a mental health crisis and need help right away, support is available. There are people who care and want to help you. 

I'm going to hurt myself or someone else

If you:

• Have attempted suicide
• Have seriously harmed yourself
• Feel like you can't keep yourself safe
• Feel like you'll hurt someone else

You need urgent medical help. Please:

• Call 999
• Go straight to A&E, if you can

If you can't do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.

Mental health emergencies are serious. You're not wasting anyone's time.

If you aren't sure if you should call 999, you can call NHS 111 for advice. Call 111 (England and Wales) or contact NHS 111 online (England only). They will tell you what to do and where to go. 

I need urgent help, but my life isn't at risk

If you can keep yourself safe for a short while, but you still need urgent support, you can:

• Contact NHS 111. You can call 111 for the 24/7 mental health support line (England and Wales). Or contact NHS 111 online (England).
• Go to an urgent treatment centre. The NHS website has more information about when to go to an urgent treatment centre.
• Contact your GP for an emergency appointment. Our page on how to get help from your GP has more information.

I want to talk to someone

If you don't need medical help but need someone to talk to, you can call:

• Samaritans on 116 123 (UK-wide)
• C.A.L.L. on 0800 132 737 (Wales only)

They're free, they're anonymous, and they're always open.

These services are for anyone who's struggling. They won't judge you.

Our page of mental health helplines lists some more listening services you could try. But they might not be open all the time.

The person I spoke to on the phone was welcoming. I felt so comfortable and not judged at all

I want to text, email or talk online

If you want to talk to someone but you can't call on the phone, you can:

• Text SHOUT to 85258 (UK-wide)
• Email Samaritans at [email protected] (Responses may take several days. This service will close from 26 April 2026. )

They're free, they're anonymous, and you can contact them any time.

Our page of mental health helplines lists some more services you can contact online or by text. But they might only be open at certain times.

I need tools to help me calm down

We have some practical tools that might be helpful if you:

• Need a distraction while you wait for help
• Can keep yourself safe but need help to calm yourself down

Get crisis coping tools from our page on ways to help yourself cope in a crisis.

I need to help someone else

If someone you know is having a mental health crisis, it can be scary and upsetting. But your support can make a big difference.

Stay calm, listen without judging, and let them know you care. Encourage them to get help and stay with them if they're at risk of harm.

See our information on helping someone else seek help.

How can I prepare for a mental health crisis?

If you aren't in crisis right now but think you might be in the future, there are things you can do to prepare.

We have more information on our planning for a mental health crisis page.