Urgent help for mental health

If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.

24/7 mental health support line

If you need mental health and wellbeing support in a crisis you can call the South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust 24/7 mental health support line on 0800 028 8000.

The mental health support line offers emotional support and advice to people who are affected by urgent mental health issues, at any time of the day or night. It is open to everyone, including children and adults of all ages, and to people who haven’t previously accessed mental health services.

Call 999 or go to A&E now

You should 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.

National helplines

A number of national helplines can help someone who is facing a mental health crisis. 

• NHS 111 – 24/7 service staffed by advisers offering medical advice and information. Call 111
• Samaritans – 24/7 service that is here to listen. Call 116 123 
• SANEline – national out-of-hours mental health helpline. Call 0300 304 7000
• CALM – evening helpline. Call 0800 585858
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK – evening service. Call 0800 689 5652
• Papyrus - young person suicide support 24/7. Call 0800 068 4141
• Shout - national crisis 24/7 text service. Text 'Shout' to 85258
• Mind Infoline – mental health helpline. Call 0300 123 3393

Richmond crisis cafes

The Mind Journey Recovery Hub in Twickenham offer out of hours support to adults in mental health crisis, or at risk of moving into mental health crisis. The hubs aim to prevent escalation, reduce isolation, increase independence and self-management and improve wellbeing by drawing on strengths, resilience and coping mechanisms.

The Hub is open Tuesday, Thursday and Friday (6 to 10pm) and Sunday (2 to 8pm). You can either drop in or self-refer.

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. 

Suicide awareness training 

Zero suicide alliance offer free online training courses to teach you the skills and confidence to have a potentially life-saving conversation with someone you’re worried about.