Where to get urgent help for mental health

If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.

It's important to know that support services are available for you to access, whatever you’re going through.

NHS 111 (mental health option)

If you need urgent help for your mental health, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option. You can also get help from 111 online.

If you need help in another language

  • British sign language (BSL): Use signvideo.co.uk/nhs111
  • Other languages: Call 111 and ask for an interpreter.
111 is available 24/7 to people of all ages seeking help for themselves or someone else.

South London NHS Mental Health Crisis Text Service

This service is available 24/7 to people of all ages seeking help for themselves or someone else.

Urgent help for children and young people

If you are a child, young person, or a parent/carer worried about a young person’s mental health, call the  South London Partnership CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) Crisis Line on  0203 228 5980. The line is open every day from 9am to 11pm. Outside of these hours, call NHS 111.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

  • someone's life is at risk – for example, 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

If you go to A&E you may be referred to the liaison psychiatry team. There are liaison psychiatry teams based in the following local A&E departments:

  • St George’s Hospital, St. James Wing, Blackshaw Rd, London SW17 0QT
  • St Helier Hospital, Wrythe Lane, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 1AA
  • Kingston Hospital, Galsworthy Rd, Kingston upon Thames KT2 7QB

Recovery Cafés (also known as Crisis Cafés)

If you are struggling with how you are feeling or feel at risk of going into crisis, your local Recovery Café can help. Recovery Cafés are a free walk-in out of hours service where you can talk to people who will understand and help you.   

You don’t need a referral or an appointment to visit. You can ring ahead if you need any support getting there or would like to speak with a member of staff first.

 

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