In Case of Emergency

If you or somebody you know is no longer able to cope, or is at risk to self or others, immediate expert assessment and support must be sought. Neurospectrum is unable to provide this emergency specialist mental health support, but assistance can be accessed from other services listed below:

What should we do if we need help but there is no urgency?

If the help needed can wait until at least the next day, the first point of contact should be with the registered General Practitioner; they will have an oversight of the medical history and should be able to arrange the right support with appropriate services.

What steps should we follow if we are already open to specialist mental health services?

When specialist support is already being provided through the NHS or another suitable provider, there should be a care plan in place that outlines the steps most conducive when there is a deterioration in mental health. This will also include the details of who should be contacted in a time of crisis.

If you are unable to find the care plan, or do not believe there is a care plan, please call the local crisis support service requesting help. This service should be able to offer timely assessment and support.

What can we do when there is an acute risk to life in a time of mental health crisis?

When there is a pressing concern of immediate risk of harm – either to self, or somebody else – you must phone emergency services on 999 and ask for help.

You can also go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department and request help. There are often on-call professionals that can provide timely mental health assessment and treatment.

What other mental health support services are available?

• C.A.L.L. If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text ‘help’ followed by a question to 81066.
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).
• Nightline. If you’re a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.
• Papyrus HOPELINEUK. 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.
• Samaritans. To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).
• SANEline. If you’re experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).
• Shout. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
• Switchboard. If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, 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 LGBT+.
• The Mix. If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994(3pm–midnight every day), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.

What apps could be used to support mental wellbeing when not in a state of crisis?

The below apps are positively rated for supporting mental wellbeing:

• Moodkit
• Headspace
• Happify
• Recovery Record
• Calm