Call 111 (and select option 2!)

If you (or someone you know) are in mental health crisis, you should call 111 and select option 2 for urgent mental health support.

111 is available 24/7. Those who are deaf or have hearing issues can call NHS 111 using SignVideo or call 18001 111 using the Relay UK app.

If you’re concerned about a mental health symptom, you can use 111 Online to check what action you should take. Once you have used their tool, you might be advised to call 999 or visit A&E, visit an urgent treatment centre, get urgent specialist mental health support, book a callback from a nurse, see an out-of-hours GP or otherwise.

If you (or another person) have been harmed, you may require an emergency response. In such a case, please contact 999 and ask for the relevant service.

Head to A&E

If you feel like you might make an attempt to take your own life or have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help.

In such instances, you should go straight to Accident and Emergency (A&E) if you can. It is also appropriate to call 999 for an emergency in such circumstances.

If you think you can keep yourself safe for a short while, it is advised you use the NHS 111 service, selecting option 2 for Urgent Mental Health Support. In these cases, it might also be useful to lean on Mind’s Crisis Coping Tools.

Free Listening Services

There are a number of specialist and free listening services which can provide you with confidential support through trained volunteers.

If you feel you would benefit from talking about anything that is troubling you (regardless of how difficult this may be), please consider using one of the following services:

Supporting staff during times of crisis

If you’re supporting a colleague who has expressed suicidal feelings or thoughts, the Occupational Health and Wellbeing team has put together a simple guide which takes you through the most effective and appropriate steps to support the colleague in question.

Simply download our guidance to find out more about the most appropriate routes of support and how you can most effectively support the individual.

PAPYRUS support for those aged 35 and under

PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide offers a 24/7 helpline called HOPELINE. Here, suicide prevention advisors are available year-round to help support you. To access this service, call 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email [email protected].

Also available through PAPYRUS’ Hopeline is access to immediate debriefing following a traumatic incident – although we’d also advise you to consider using one of our trained mental health defusers or contacting the Staff Wellbeing Hub for a more personal service in this instance.