Mental health crisis support

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.

Get advice from 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if:

  • you need urgent help for your mental health
  • Get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option.

111 will tell you the right place to get help. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone.

Coping during a crisis

The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis.

This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours.

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.

What to do in a mental health crisis in Surrey

For people experiencing a mental health crisis in Surrey, please telephone:

0800 915 4644 (365 days a year, 24 hours a day).

If you have speech or hearing difficulties, you can contact the helpline through:

  • SMS 07717 989 024 (this service is only available to adults aged 18 years and over)
  • Relay UK service
  • Call 18001 0800 915 4644 from your text phone or smart app

More information is available on the Surrey and Borders Partnership website.

For non-urgent medical advice, please visit NHS 111 online.

What to do in a mental health crisis in Sussex

Feeling unable to cope, worried you may hurt yourself or somebody else and/or experiencing suicidal feelings?

For immediate help

  • If your life – or someone else’s life – is in immediate danger, please call 999 or go to A&E.

For same or next day help

You can get help with your mental health in different ways depending on what you prefer. All services are free.

  • Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (also known as the Sussex Mental Healthline) or the Samaritans on 116 123 (both available 24/7).
  • Visit a Staying Well service (out-of-hours mental health crisis support service for people aged 18+ available in Brighton, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings and Worthing).
  • Text the word SUSSEX to 85258 (24/7 mental health text-messaging support service).
  • Download the Stay Alive app – a suicide prevention resource full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.