Help in a mental health emergency

Where to get urgent help if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis or emergency, you're in a life threatening situation, or you're worried about your mental health.

Phone 999 or go to A&E if you or someone else is at immediate risk of harm, or you're in a life threatening situation.

Where to get urgent help

If you are experiencing a mental health emergency or thinking about ending your life, reaching out can help you realise you are not alone and that you do have options. There is no shame in reaching out for help. 

If you are over the age of 18, you can phone the Mental Health Rapid Response Service on 0300 304 0078, at any time for urgent mental health support.  

If you are under 18, contact the CAMHS Duty Clinician on 0300 304 0061 (9am to5pm Monday to Friday) or out of hours call the Sussex Mental Health Line on NHS 111 and select the mental health option. 

You can also contact Samaritans on 116 123 to talk about your mental health or suicidal thoughts. 

The Stay Alive app developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention is free to download if you’re having thoughts about suicide, or you’re concerned about someone else. 

If you are worried about someone else 

It is important to remember that you don’t need to be a health professional to check in with someone you are worried about. If someone you know seems to be struggling, reaching out and making them know they matter and encouraging them to get help could save their life. 

All the resources listed above are available to you. There are also a range of resources on the Grassroots Suicide Prevention Hub, including the Real Talk Saves Lives video which can help you gain the skills and confidence to talk to someone about suicide. 

Find out more information on how to support someone experiencing a mental health emergency who won’t agree to get help

Support if you’ve been bereaved by suicide

If someone you know has died by suicide, talking through difficult emotions can be helpful in dealing with your loss. 

The free Sussex Suicide Bereavement Support Service is available to everyone by calling 07376616628 or emailing sussexbereavedbysuicide@cruse.org.uk

The Help is at Hand booklet may be helpful for emotional and practical support during this difficult time.

First Hand is a support guide if you have witnessed a suicide but did not know the person. 

Find more support with your mental health and wellbeing