Need help in a mental health crisis or emergency?
Anyone experiencing an urgent mental health crisis can call 111 and select the option for mental health. If you think there is a risk to your life, or the life of someone else, please dial 999 instead. Both these services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
111 for mental health
Calling 111 and selecting the mental health option will connect you with someone trained to help people experiencing an urgent mental health crisis. People experience crisis in different ways. You, or someone you know, may be in crisis if:
- You feel like you want to hurt yourself, or someone else
- You hear strange voices
- You feel that people are watching you or want to hurt you
- You are experiencing extreme distress that seems overwhelming or you can’t cope with day to day life
Are you one of our patients, or the parent/guardian of a young person using our services?
- If you are currently using our services, the quickest way of getting help is to contact the team caring for you during their working hours. It may be helpful to refer to your care plan, which should have details of who to contact in an emergency.
- If you need urgent help outside of your team’s working hours, please call 111 and choose the mental health option.
If you are deaf or hearing impaired
- Please use the free national Relay UK service.
- Alternatively, you can contact NHS 111 via the Relay UK app or using a textphone. Dial 18001 + 01227 947 920.
- In a life-threatening emergency, you can contact 999 via the Relay UK app or using a textphone. Dial 18000.
If you feel mentally unwell but are not in a crisis
If you feel mentally unwell - such as stressed, anxious or distressed - but do not think you are having a mental health crisis there are places you can go for help. You can contact your GP or reach out to one of the organisations below who provide specialist help.
Samaritans
The Samaritans are available 24/7 every day of the year for anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide (freephone 116 123).
Release the Pressure Helpline - Rethink
Life can get really tough sometimes, but talking can help. Rethink have a highly trained and experienced team available 24/7 to provide expert support no matter what you are going through. The service is free to use, confidential and is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The service is for people in Kent and Medway.
Release The Pressure Helpline - Kent
Tel: 0800 107 0160
Email: releasethepressure@rethink.org
Facebook: Access the facebook page here
Text SHOUT to 85258
Shout is a free, confidential 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who feels like they are struggling to cope. To start a conversation, text the word SHOUT to 85258. Trained volunteers are available to listen at any time of the day or night and messages will not appear on your phone bill.
Kent and Medway Safe Havens
The Kent & Medway Safe Havens offer free mental health support for anyone aged 18+ living in Kent and Medway. The havens are there to offer mental health and crisis support in a welcoming, comfortable, non-judgmental, and non-clinical environment. This is a drop-in service, with no referral or appointment required.
Support is available every day, 365 days a year. You can access support face-to-face from 10 locations:
- Ashford
- Canterbury
- Dartford
- Folkestone
- Gillingham
- Maidstone
- Medway
- Ramsgate
- Thanet
- Tunbridge Wells
For more information and contact details, please visit www.mhm.org.uk/kent-safe-havens
Live Well Kent
Live Well Kent can support you with:
- Managing your money, including debt and benefits
- Housing support and guidance
- Improving your relationships
- Accessing counselling.
- Basic advice on healthy living and helping you set some goals to make positive lifestyle changes
- Supporting you to access a range of free resources including apps and things that are happening in your local community
- Putting you in touch with support to help you quit smoking, lose weight reduce your drinking or drugs intake and look after your sexual health.
- Volunteering
- Community projects
- Arts, music, culture or sporting groups
- Finding IAPT psychological therapies in your area
You can contact Live Well Kent by phoning 0800 567 7699 or visiting https://livewellkent.org.uk/
Childline
Offers support to young people under 19, and they confidentially call, email, or chat online about any problem, big or small. Their freephone 24-hour helpline is 0800 1111 or students can have a one-to-one chat with an online advisor.
Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide)
Provides advice and support for young people under 35 who feel like they want to take their own life. All their advice is confidential. Young people and parents under 35 can call their HOPELineUK on: 0800 068 41 41 or text: 07786 209687 (lines are open every day from 9am to midnight).
Samaritans
Available 24/7 and offer a free anonymous non-judgemental listening service. They can be reached by phone on 116 123
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
Provides free crisis support and links to a range of support options for young people.
Digital resources: Calm zone | Childline
Offers Activities and tools, wellbeing exercises and interactive games for under 19s.
Kooth
Online mental wellbeing community for 10 – 25 year olds.
Mental Health - The Mix
Online articles and discussion forums for 11 – 25 year olds.
Self-care tips videos for young people - Every Mind Matters - NHS
Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide)
They provide advice and support for young people under 35 who feel like they want to take their own life. All their advice is confidential. Young people and parents under 35 can call their HOPELineUK on: 0800 068 41 41 or text: 07786 209687 (lines are open every day from 9am to midnight).
YoungMinds Parents Helpline
This is available for parents, guardians and carers. You can call them on 0808 802 5544; 9.30am to 4pm on weekdays.
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
They provides free crisis support and links to a range of support options for young people.
Other helpful resources for parents:
Parents and carers guide: - Suicidal Thoughts | Suicidal Ideation Signs and Symptoms | YoungMinds
Tips and guidance - Supporting your child: - Children's mental health - Every Mind Matters - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Suicide prevention training: - Free online training from Zero Suicide Alliance
Eating Disorders Association Adult Helpline
This is an adult helpline for UK residents who wish to talk about eating disorders It is available Monday to Friday from 10.30 am to 8.30 pm. and Saturday from 1.00 pm to 4.00 pm by calling 0845 634 1414
FRANK campaign helpline
This helpline provides information and advice about drugs and information on local services. It is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day and can take calls in over 120 languages. Please call 0800 776600
Learning Disability Helpline
This helpline provides support for people with learning disabilities, their families and carers, and professionals working in the field. It is available from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday by calling 0808 808 1111
