Although we are only open during office hours, and do not provide a crisis response service, there are lots of people who can help you – day or night.
If you have seriously harmed yourself, or feel that you may be about to harm yourself, call 999 or go straight to your nearest hospital emergency department (often known as A&E – accident and emergency). Or ask someone else to call 999 or take you there.
Read on for other sources of support in a crisis.
Your local mental health helpline
Every area of England now has an urgent mental health helpline. Most are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Listed below are some of the helplines for the East Midlands. Alternatively, you can find the helpline for your area by using the service finder on the NHS website.
- Derbyshire: 0800 028 0077
- Leicestershire: 0808 800 3302 (also covers parts of Rutland)
- Lincolnshire: 0800 001 4331
- Northamptonshire: 0800 448 0828
- Nottinghamshire: 0808 196 3779
Samaritans
The Samaritans offer a 24/7 listening service that offers support if you feel you need to talk to someone urgently about how you are feeling. The Samaritans won't judge or tell you what to do.
Call the free Samaritans 24-hour support service on 116 123 or contact the Samaritans online.
NHS 111
111 online is a useful service if you think you need medical help right now. 111 online will tell you what to do next.
You can also call 111 and speak to an NHS adviser.
Staying Safe
Use the Staying Safe website for support, information and making your own safety plan. The information on the Staying Safe website has been produced by international academics and experts by experience.
Emergency GP appointment
When you require support for your mental health, but there’s no immediate danger to your safety or the safety of others, an emergency GP appointment may be an option. If you don’t have a GP, use the NHS website to locate the nearest one to you.
Other free helplines
HOPEline UK
A listening service for young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide. Run by the charity Papyrus.
Call: 08000 684141
Text: 07786209697
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Website: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/papyrus-HOPELINE247/
SANEline
A national out-of-hours mental health support line offering specialist emotional support and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.
Call: 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm – 10.30pm every day)
Website: www.sane.org.uk
The Silver Line
A free confidential support line providing information, friendship and advice to older people, open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Call: 0800 4 70 80 90
Web: www.thesilverline.org.uk
CALM line
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) support line is for men in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
Call: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm to midnight every day)
Website: www.thecalmzone.net