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Crisis Support & Emergency Help

If you're in crisis or need immediate support, you're not alone. Help is available 24/7.

Are you in immediate crisis?

Call 999 immediately if:

  • • You have seriously injured yourself or taken an overdose
  • • You are about to seriously injure yourself
  • • You are in immediate physical danger
  • • Someone else is in immediate danger

Contact crisis support if:

  • • You're having thoughts of suicide or self-harm
  • • You're feeling overwhelmed and can't cope
  • • You need someone to talk to right now
  • • You're worried about your mental health

Emergency Contacts

Emergency Services

24/7

999

For immediate life-threatening emergencies

Samaritans

24/7

116 123

Free emotional support for anyone in distress

Visit samaritans.org
SHOUT Crisis Text Line

24/7

Text SHOUT to 85258

24/7 text support for anyone in crisis

Visit giveusashout.org
NHS 111

24/7

111

Non-emergency medical advice and mental health support

Immediate Coping Strategies

Grounding Technique (5-4-3-2-1)
  1. 15 things you can see around you
  2. 24 things you can touch
  3. 33 things you can hear
  4. 42 things you can smell
  5. 51 thing you can taste
Box Breathing
  1. 1Breathe in for 4 counts
  2. 2Hold your breath for 4 counts
  3. 3Breathe out for 4 counts
  4. 4Hold empty for 4 counts
  5. 5Repeat 4-6 times
Safe Space Visualization
  1. 1Close your eyes if comfortable
  2. 2Picture a place where you feel completely safe
  3. 3Notice the details - colors, sounds, smells
  4. 4Stay in this space for a few minutes
  5. 5Return to this image whenever needed

Create Your Safety Plan

Personal Safety Planning Checklist

A safety plan is a personalized guide to help you stay safe during difficult times. Check off each item as you complete it.

My personal warning signs (thoughts, feelings, behaviors)
Coping strategies I can use on my own
People I can contact for support
Mental health professionals and their contact information
How to make my environment safer
Reasons for living and things that are important to me

Tip: Consider working with a mental health professional to create a comprehensive safety plan tailored to your specific needs.

Regional Crisis Services

England

NHS Crisis Resolution Teams

Local mental health crisis support

Contact via NHS 111

Crisis Cafes

Safe spaces during mental health crises

Find local services via NHS website

Scotland

Breathing Space

Free, confidential phone and webchat service

0800 83 85 87

NHS 24

Health information and advice

111

Wales

C.A.L.L. Helpline

Mental health helpline for Wales

0800 132 737

DAN 24/7

Drug and alcohol helpline

0808 808 2234

Northern Ireland

Lifeline

Crisis response helpline

0808 808 8000

Mental Health Helpline

24/7 mental health support

0300 123 3393

After the Crisis: Next Steps

You've taken an important step by seeking help. After a crisis, it's important to:

  • • Follow up with professional mental health support
  • • Review and update your safety plan
  • • Connect with ongoing support services
  • • Consider joining support groups or communities
  • • Practice self-care and be patient with your recovery
Find ongoing support services

Remember

Crisis support is available 24/7. You don't have to face difficult times alone. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Your life has value, and there are people who want to help you through this difficult time.