Urgent help

What to do when you need urgent help

If you're concerned about your health, your GP is always a good person to contact first. If you feel very distressed and can’t wait, or feel unable to keep yourself safe, choose one of the options below:

Free help and advice

  • Mind. Contact the Infoline for advice on mental health problems, where to get help near you, treatment options and advocacy services. Call the infoline on 0300 123 3393. Email info@mind.org.uk. For further information visit the Mind website. 

  • Samaritans. To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org. For further information, visit the Samaritans website. 

  • SANEline. If you are experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day). For further information visit the SANEline website. 

  • National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7). For further information, visit the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK website. 

  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. For further information, visit the CALM website or try using the CALM webchat service.

  • The Mix. If you are under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day). For further information, visit The Mix website. 

  • Papyrus HOPELINEUK. If you are under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697. For further information, visit the Papyrus HOPELINEUK website.

  • Nightline. If you are a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

  • Switchboard. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+. For further information, visit the Switchboard website. 

  • C.A.L.L. If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text 'help' followed by a question to 81066. For further information, visit the C.A.L.L website.

  • Helplines Partnership. For more options, visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. Mind's Infoline can also help you find services that can support you. If you're outside the UK, the Befrienders Worldwide website has a tool to search by country for emotional support helplines around the world.


Urgent mental health support

The NHS website has more information on urgent mental health helplines, including how to find your local helpline.


Urgent, non-emergency medical advice

If you need help urgently but are not at risk of harm or serious illness, use the NHS 111 non-emergency advice online or call 111.

Visit NHS 111 Online

Call: 111

Use the NHS 111 British Sign Language Service 


Immediate support

Go to your local A&E

Find your nearest A&E online

If you feel that you need help immediately call for an ambulance:

Call or Text: 999