Urgent help and support now

If you are in distress or struggling to cope, support is available. You are not alone. 

This page explains what to do and where to get help.

On this page: Call 999 | Call 111 | Go to A&E

If your life is at risk right now 

If you think you may have seriously harmed yourself, are at risk of suicide, or feel unable to keep yourself or others safe, please get immediate help. 

Do one of these:

Call 999

Call 999 if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or there is serious risk to life.

What will happen:

  1. The call handler will ask where you are and what has happened.

  2. They may ask for your phone number in case they need to call you back.

  3. You may be told what to do while help is on the way.

  4. If it is a life-threatening emergency, an ambulance or other emergency responder will be sent.

  5. Calling 999 does not always mean an ambulance will be sent. You may be advised to go to A&E or get help in another way.

Call 111

Use this if you need urgent mental health help, but it is not an emergency.

What will happen:

  1. You can call 111 and choose the mental health option.

  2. You will be asked some questions about what is happening and how urgent it feels.

  3. You may speak to a trained mental health professional or adviser.

  4. They will help you work out the next step, which may include local urgent support or going to A&E.

111 is available day and night. You can use it when you need urgent help and are not sure what to do next.

Go to A&E

Go to A&E if you need urgent in-person help or have been told to go there.

What will happen:

  1. When you arrive, staff will ask for your details and why you have come.

  2. You will have an assessment so the team can understand how urgent your needs are.

  3. You may need to wait while staff see the most seriously unwell

If you can stay safe for a short while 

If you need urgent mental health support but are not in immediate danger: 

If you need urgent mental health support but are not in immediate danger: 

  • Call 111 and select the mental health option, or get help from 111 online at 111.nhs.uk 

  • Contact your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment. You can ask for a phone or video appointment if that is easier. 

  • Call your local crisis team if a health professional has given you their number. 

  • If you can't take these steps alone, tell someone you trust and ask them to help you.