Crisis

Your safety matters. If you are experiencing a mental health crisis, it’s important to seek immediate expert help. Support is available whatever you’re going through.

Immediate Danger

If someone’s life is at risk, including serious self-harm or overdose, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. Mental health emergencies are as serious as physical emergencies, you will not be wasting anyone’s time.

Urgent Advice

Call 111 (or use 111 online) and select the mental health option. You may speak with a trained nurse or mental health professional who can guide you to the right support.

You can also contact your GP for urgent advice about mental-health services, medication, or local crisis teams.

Free UK Crisis, Text and Online Mental Health Support

If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, feel unable to cope, or are worried that you may not remain safe, support is available.

You do not have to wait until things become unbearable before reaching out.

If You Are in Immediate Danger

Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E / Emergency Department if:

  • You feel you are about to act on suicidal thoughts

  • You have attempted suicide

  • You have seriously harmed yourself

  • You have taken an overdose

  • You cannot keep yourself or somebody else safe

Mental-health emergencies should be treated as seriously as physical-health emergencies.

Urgent Mental Health Support

Urgent NHS and crisis pathways differ slightly across the UK.

England

Call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option

You can also use NHS 111 online and choose Mental health help

NHS 111 online is available in England only.

Scotland

Call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental-health option

The NHS 24 Mental Health Hub can provide urgent assessment and direct you towards appropriate support.

Wales

Call NHS 111 Wales and select Option 2 for urgent mental-health support

This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Northern Ireland

Call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000.

Lifeline provides free, confidential crisis support 24 hours a day for people experiencing distress or despair.

Find Local Support

Hub of Hope

Hub of Hope is the UK’s largest mental-health support directory.

You can search by postcode to find:

  • NHS mental-health services

  • Crisis cafés and safe spaces

  • Charities

  • Peer-support organisations

  • Community services

  • Local helplines

  • Online support

Prefer to Type Rather Than Talk?

Some people find it easier to write when thoughts are racing, emotions feel overwhelming, or speaking on the telephone feels too difficult.

Shout — Free 24/7 Crisis Text Support

Text: SHOUT to 85258

Shout is free, confidential and available 24 hours a day throughout the UK.

You will exchange messages in real time with a trained Crisis Volunteer.

You do not need to be at the point of attempting suicide to use the service. Shout supports people experiencing any form of emotional crisis.

CALM — Free Webchat

CALM offers free, confidential and anonymous webchat support to adults anywhere in the UK.

Available: Every day, 5pm–midnight

Chats are answered by trained support staff who can listen, help you think through what is happening and signpost towards further help.

Samaritans

Call: 116 123

Free and available 24 hours a day throughout the UK.

Samaritans also operates a developing online chat service. Webchat availability is currently limited, so it should not be relied upon as an emergency service.

Which Service Should I Use?

I need someone to write to right now → Text SHOUT to 85258

I want a live webchat in the evening → CALM

I want somebody to listen at any time of day or night → Samaritans 116 123

I need urgent professional mental-health assessment → Use the urgent NHS/crisis route

I want to find support near where I live → Hub of Hope

I am about to act, have attempted suicide, taken an overdose, or cannot stay safe → 999 or A&E

Coping in the Moment

Contact me

If you are in distress right now, these tools may help:

These aren’t a substitute for emergency support, but they may help while you wait.

Planning Ahead

If you or someone close to you is struggling with suicidal thoughts, a safety plan can help you prepare for difficult moments:

These resources can help you understand triggers, identify support networks, and plan steps to stay safe.

If You’re Unsure What to Do

If you feel unsafe, overwhelmed, or unable to cope:

  • Reach out immediately

  • You deserve support

  • Help is available right now

Historical Abuse

Historical abuse, abuse that happened in the past, including many years ago can be reported in the UK. These reports are taken seriously, and there are established procedures for investigation and support.

Please see Guidance around reporting historical abuse

Therapy and Crisis Support Have Different Jobs

Contact me

Therapy can help you understand and change the emotional, relational and behavioural processes that contribute to repeated distress.

Crisis services have a different role: helping you get through a difficult or dangerous moment safely.

Using crisis support between therapy sessions does not mean therapy has failed. It means using the right kind of support for the situation you are in.

My psychotherapy service and this website are not emergency or crisis services. If you need urgent help, please use the services above rather than waiting for a therapy appointment or a response to a message.

FAQ: Crisis

  • Call 999 or go to your nearest A&E if you or someone else is in immediate danger. Mental health emergencies are treated as seriously as physical ones.

  • You can call Samaritans on 116 123 (free, 24/7) or text SHOUT to 85258 to reach the Shout Crisis Text Line. Under 19s can call Childline on 0800 1111.

  • Call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option to speak to a nurse or mental health professional. You can also contact your GP for urgent guidance.

  • Mind offers simple grounding exercises and tools for managing distress, including breathing techniques and safety plans. Visit mind.org.uk for immediate support materials.

  • A safety plan helps you identify personal warning signs, coping strategies, and emergency contacts. You can create one online at stayingsafe.net or through Mind’s templates.

Complete FAQ