To seek help in the event of a mental health crisis, please click here: First Response Service | DPT
Support in a mental health crisis
If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact the 24-hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.
What happens when I call?
The phone will be answered by a trained mental health professional who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need. With your permission, they can also access your electronic patient records to better meet your needs and to avoid you repeatedly having to tell us your situation. They can offer advice over the phone, put you in contact with crisis services or refer you to other, appropriate support.
Who can call?
You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs. If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service – NHS 111 – SignVideo.
If you aren’t able to make the call yourself, then anyone can call on your behalf — for example a friend, carer, loved one or even your GP. You can also access NHS 111 online via 111.nhs.uk.
The service is available to anyone facing a mental health crisis, which could include:
- Changes to your mood
- Withdrawing from people (close family, friends, or work colleagues)
- Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living
- Excessive worry
- Feeling out of control or unable to cope
- Feeling anxious about leaving the house
- Hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t
- Thinking about harming yourself
By calling NHS 111, and selecting the mental health option, we can help to get you the urgent support you need for your mental health. If you are unsure what to do, staff on this number will be able to guide you to the appropriate choice.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- Yours or 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
If you just need to talk, any time of day or night
These services offer confidential advice 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.