In A Crisis?
A crisis is any situation in which you or someone you know needs urgent help. Mental health emergencies are serious, you're not wasting anyone's time.
If you need help you can go to any hospital A&E department or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
If you can't do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.
We are not a crisis service, if you think you may act on suicidal feelings or may seriously harm yourself, you need urgent medical help.
Nearby A&E Departments
24hr Crisis Helplines
Specialist Helplines
Local A&E Departments
Southend-on-Sea
Southend University Hospital
Prittlewell Chase
Westcliff-on-Sea
Southend-on-Sea
SS0 0RY
Basildon
Basildon University Hospital
Nether Mayne
Basildon
SS16 5NL
Chelmsford (Broomfield)
Broomfield Hospital
Court Road
Broomfield
Chelmsford
CM1 7ET
24 Hour Crisis Helplines
Support is always available for you via phone, text or online. Please reach out.
If it is a mental health emergency, call 999 and ask for an ambulance or the police.
Samaritans.
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. You can call any time, for free.
Available 24 hrs a day, 365 days a year.
Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
Shout.
Text SHOUT to 85258 any time, day or night. Messages are free, confidential and anonymous.
Shout offer free, 24/7 mental health text support across the UK. Visit giveusashout.org for more info.
NHS 111.
If you need help urgently, but it isn’t an emergency, NHS 111 will tell you the right place to get help.
Visit the online service or call 111 and select option 2 for mental health support.
Specialist Helplines
Mental health support is available for everyone. Here are a few of the specialist helplines and services available in the UK.
Support for young people and students
YoungMinds.
If you are a young person experiencing a mental health crisis, you can text the YoungMinds Crisis Messenger for free, 24/7 support.
All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.
Text YM to 85258
Papyrus.
If you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.
The Mix.
If you're under 25 and need help but don’t know where to turn, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 between 3pm and 12am, 7 days a week.
The Mix also operate a 1-2-1 webchat service that allows you to live message trained helpline supporters about any issue that is troubling you.
LGBTQ+ Support
Switchboard.
You can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBTQ+.
Mindline Trans+
An emotional and mental health support helpline for anyone identifying as LGBTQ+.
Call 0300 330 5468 Mondays and Fridays,
8pm-midnight.
LGBT Foundation.
Call the LGBT Foundation helpline on 0345 3 30 30 30 for support and advice on a range of topics.
Available weekdays from 9am—9pm, and weekends from 10am—6pm.
Other specialist support
CALM.
If you identify as male, you can call Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat service
Available 5pm–midnight, every day.
The Silver Line.
The Silver Line operates the only confidential, free helpline for older people across the UK that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days of the year. Call anytime on 0800 4 70 80 90
Cruse Bereavement.
Cruse offers support to people suffering from grief. You can call 0808 808 1677 9:30am—5pm (until 8pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays) or use their webchat service weekdays from 9am—9pm.