This website is not an emergency service.
Last reviewed: 20 July 2026
You do not need to wait until things become even worse before asking for help.
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, have seriously harmed yourself, taken an overdose or believe somebody is in immediate danger, treat it as an emergency.
Immediate danger: call 999
Call 999 or go to the nearest A&E department now if:
- You believe you may attempt suicide or seriously harm yourself
- You have already seriously harmed yourself
- You have taken an overdose or dangerous combination of medicines, alcohol or drugs
- You are experiencing severe breathing difficulty, collapse, unconsciousness or a seizure
- Somebody else is in immediate danger
- You cannot keep yourself or another person safe
You will not be wasting anybody’s time.
Do not drive yourself to A&E after an overdose, when severely distressed or when medication, alcohol or drugs may have impaired you. Call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Urgent mental health help: call 111
If the situation is urgent but there is no immediate danger to life, call 111.
In England, select the mental health option to speak with urgent mental health support. The service is available 24 hours a day.
You can call for yourself or because you are worried about somebody else.
NHS 111 may connect you with your local mental health crisis service, arrange an urgent assessment or direct you towards the most appropriate local help.
You can also use NHS 111 online, although calling is more appropriate when somebody is in an urgent mental health crisis or cannot remain safe.
Speak to somebody now
You do not need to prepare the perfect explanation.
You can begin with:
I am struggling and I do not feel safe on my own right now.
Or:
I am having thoughts of suicide and need somebody to talk to.
The following services can listen and help you work out what to do next.
Samaritans
Samaritans provides a safe place to talk about anything that is getting to you. You do not need to be suicidal to call.
Call free: 116 123
Available: 24 hours a day, every day of the year
Shout
Shout provides free and confidential support by text message for people who are struggling to cope.
Text: SHOUT to 85258
Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
PAPYRUS HopeLine 24/7
HopeLine 24/7 supports people under 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. It also supports anybody worried that a young person may be suicidal.
Call: 0300 102 2470
Text: HOPE to 88247
Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Childline
Childline provides free and confidential support for children and young people. You can talk about anything that is worrying you.
Call free: 0800 1111
Available: 24 hours a day, seven days a week
Childline also provides online one-to-one counsellor chats and private messages.
CALM
The Campaign Against Living Miserably provides support for adults experiencing suicidal thoughts, people who have lost somebody to suicide and anyone worried that somebody else may be suicidal.
Call free: 0800 58 58 58
Available: 5pm to midnight every day
CALM also provides webchat and WhatsApp support during its opening hours.
Further mental health support
The following services can provide emotional support, information and help finding appropriate treatment. They are useful, but they are not emergency services.
If you cannot remain safe, call 999. For urgent mental health support, call 111.
Mind Support Line
Mind’s Support Line provides a confidential space to talk about your mental health and can help you identify possible next steps and specialist support.
Call: 0300 102 1234
Available: 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays
This is not a crisis service.
YoungMinds Parents Helpline
YoungMinds provides information, advice and emotional support to parents and main carers who are worried about the mental health of a child or young person aged 25 or under.
Call free: 0808 802 5544
Opening hours:
- 9.30am to 4pm on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays
- 9.30am to 6pm on Tuesdays and Wednesdays
This is not a crisis service. If your child is in immediate danger, call 999. For urgent mental health help, call 111.
If you are worried about somebody else
Take comments about suicide or serious self-harm seriously.
You do not need to decide whether the person “really means it” before getting help.
Ask directly whether they are thinking about suicide or harming themselves. Asking the question does not put the idea into somebody’s head.
If they are in immediate danger:
- Call 999
- Stay with them where it is safe for you to do so
- Move away from immediate danger where this can be done safely
- Tell the emergency operator what has happened
- Share what they have taken if an overdose may be involved
Do not promise to keep suicidal thoughts or plans secret.
You can care about somebody and still involve emergency or professional support.
If speaking feels impossible
You do not need to explain your whole life.
Tell the person answering:
- That you need urgent mental health help
- Whether you feel able to keep yourself safe
- Whether you have harmed yourself or taken anything
- Where you are
- Whether somebody is with you
You can write those points down before calling.
When talking is too difficult, text Shout or PAPYRUS. In an immediate emergency, call 999 even if you can only say your location and that you need an ambulance.
When one service is busy
Helplines can become busy, particularly during evenings and difficult national events.
If you cannot connect immediately, try another service on this page.
Do not decide that one unanswered call means nobody can help.
If your safety is getting worse while you wait, call 999 or go to A&E.
Anxiety United is not a crisis service
Anxiety United provides general mental health information, practical resources and lived experience.
Our website, email accounts, comments and social media pages are not continuously monitored and cannot provide emergency assessment or crisis intervention.
Do not wait for a reply from Anxiety United when urgent help is needed.
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental health support, call 111.