What to do in a crisis
If you’re experiencing uncontrollable anxiety or other alarming symptoms, or if you feel as if you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or others, you need to get emergency help. Our services are not for this purpose, but may well be of help once you’ve come through your crisis.
Here’s what you can do:
If you have an existing mental health condition and have a crisis care plan:
Find the details of the people who are listed to support you during a crisis, and contact them. Have a read through the section on what will help you when you are in a crisis.
If you are seriously thinking about killing yourself:
- Call 999 or
- Go to your nearest A&E department
If you are not in immediate danger but are frightened by suicidal thoughts, you can:
- Talk to someone you trust
- Speak with your GP or contact your local Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) team
- Call Samaritans’ 24-hour free helpline on 116 123
- If you are under 35, you can call HOPELine UK – the helpline run by Papyrus UK, on 0800 068 4141 or email them
If you are thinking about harming yourself
Sometimes you may feel the urge to harm yourself in order to deal with extreme feelings that you may be having. If you are thinking about harming yourself you can:
- Talk to your GP or someone you trust.
- Contact Samaritans on 116 123 or by email.
If you have harmed yourself
If you have injured yourself and it is an emergency, you should:
- Call 999 or
- Visit your nearest A&E department
If you are thinking about harming others
Sometimes you may experience unsettling or frightening thoughts about harming other people. Remember that, although these thoughts are scary, you don’t have to act upon them.
- Contact your local Crisis Resolution Home Treatment (CRHT) team
- Call Samaritans’ 24-hour free helpline on 116 123
If you feel that there is a serious, immediate risk that you will cause harm to another person, you can:
- Call 999 or
- Visit your nearest A&E department
