What to do in a crisis?

If you or someone you know is in crisis, there are many places you can turn to for help.

I am having thoughts of suicide and believe that I am in immediate danger:

• To talk to someone who is trained to listen, contact the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90. They are open 24 hours a day.

• If you have a crisis card that you have prepared based on previous experience, get that now and contact your support people.

I have taken an overdose or i am about to seriously harm or kill myself:

• Call 999. The call is free. You can ask to stay on the line while you wait for help to arrive.
• Alternatively you can go to the nearest Accident and Emergency department (A&E)

I fear that I am about to seriously harm or kill another person:

• Call 999 and ask for help.
• Alternatively you can go to the nearest A&E.

Someone I know is in immediate danger of seriously harming/killing themselves or endangering someone else:

• Contact social services. They can arrange for the person to be assessed under the Mental Health Act. Please be aware that this could lead to the person being sectioned in hospital and treated without their consent.
• Contact NHS direct on 0845 4647 to get out of office numbers for their local area social and mental health services.
• Call 999 if you cannot get through anywhere else.