What to Do in a Mental Health Emergency

Immediate Steps for a Mental Health Crisis

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, it is crucial to seek immediate expert advice and assessment. Support services are available to help you through whatever you’re going through.

Get Urgent Advice and Help

Contact 111 or Your GP

– Call 111 or visit 111 online and select the mental health option if you need urgent help for your mental health.
– You can also ask for an urgent appointment with your GP.

Call 999 or Visit A&E Immediately If:

– Someone’s life is at risk – for example, if they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose.
– You do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe.

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.

Call: 999

How a Mental Health Emergency is Treated in A&E

If you go to A&E for a mental health emergency, the staff will:

– Treat you with respect.
– Look after any immediate physical and mental health needs.
– Refer you to a liaison psychiatry service or local crisis resolution and home treatment team (CRHT) for further support.

Free Listening Services

These services offer confidential support from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:

– Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
– Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19.
– If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.

These services will only share your information if they are very worried about you or think you are in immediate danger.

Making a Safety Plan

If you struggle with suicidal thoughts or are supporting someone else, it may help to make a safety plan to use if you need it:

– The Staying Safe website provides information on how to make a safety plan, including video tutorials and online templates to guide you through the process. The team in charge of your care will assess you and decide on the best course of care. This usually involves supporting you with your mental health at home. They may also refer you to other services to support your needs.

Important Notice

IMPORTANT: IF YOU ARE THINKING ABOUT SUICIDE OR IF YOU ARE CONSIDERING HARMING YOURSELF OR OTHERS OR IF YOU FEEL THAT ANY OTHER PERSON MAY BE IN ANY DANGER OR IF YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCY, YOU MUST IMMEDIATELY CALL 999 (OR 111 IN A NON-EMERGENCY).

Remember, you are not alone. Help is available, and people are ready to support you through this difficult time.

https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/