If you are having a panic attack or extreme anxiety or if you feel that life is not worth living, you're harming yourself or have thought about self-harm, it's important to tell someone and get support as soon as you can.
These thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening and confusing, but you do not have to struggle alone. If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, contact one of the organisations below to get support right away.
24 Hour help phone line
Your Mind at Ease is a paid service offering help and advice from qualified counsellors 24/7.
Free 24-hour listening support
When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult.
Call free on 116 123 or visit the Samaritans website
Shout offers confidential 24/7 crisis text support for times when you need immediate assistance.
Text "SHOUT" to 85258 or visit Shout Crisis Text Line
Urgent, non-emergency medical advice
If you need help urgently but are not at risk of death or serious illness, call the NHS non-emergency advice line.
Call 111
People with hearing problems can use the NHS 111 British Sign Language (BSL) service.
Dial 999
In a life-threatening emergency, phone the emergency services and ask for an ambulance.
Call 999
Crisis support for young people
If you are under 35 and feel that life is not worth living any more, call Papyrus's HopelineUK from 9am to 10pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends.
Call HopelineUK on 0800 068 41 41
Text 07786 209697
Additional resources
• Contact your local Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment (CRHT) team
• Call Samaritans on 116 123 or contact them by email
• Call Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 or text them on 86463, open Mon-Fri 9am- 6pm
• Call Saneline on 0300 304 7000 from 6pm-11pm
• For anxiety, you can call the NoPanic helpline on 0844 967 4848, open everyday from 10:00am - 10:00pm
• For under 25s, there is the Get Connected helpline on 0808 808 4994 and you can also email or chat to them online
When to get urgent support
If you are concerned about your mental health, visiting your GP is a good place to start. In most areas, you can refer yourself for free NHS psychological therapy services, also known as IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) services, which provide evidence-based treatments for depression and anxiety.
It's important to seek help from your GP immediately if you are experiencing the symptoms below for the first time or are not already receiving care from mental health services:
hallucinations – hearing or seeing things that are not there (for example, hearing voices); this can also include feeling, smelling or tasting things that are not theredelusions – having strong beliefs that are not shared by others (for example, believing there is a conspiracy against you)
These are symptoms of psychosis and it's important to get treated as soon as possible, as early treatment is more effective.