Urgent Help

Get the right help – at the right time – when you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Follow each Colour Coded Step to find the most appropriate type of help.
A Mental Health Crisis can look different from person-to-person – The level of support they require will be different.
If things are difficult BUT NOT an emergency, you can contact us.

Step 1: Is this an Emergency?

A mental health emergency or “crisis” is when you can no longer keep yourself or someone else safe from physical harm.

If this is the case:

Dial 999 now OR
Go straight to your local A&E

If you call 999, ask for Ambulance if there is a Health Emergency OR ask for Police if there are Safety Concerns.

Step 2: Urgent Support Required

You and others are safe but you need urgent advice or treatment (like a medication change).

You can:

Book an emergency appointment with your GP
Call NHS 111 OR visit 111.nhs.uk and click “Mental Health Help”
If you’re a patient, call your local Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) OR for out-of-hours call your local Crisis Team (CRHT)

To find local Mental Health services, visit the NHS website.

Step 3: Non-Urgent Support

If you’re struggling, reach out and get some extra support to help see you through.

People you can talk to:

Let a trusted friend or family member know you’re having some difficulties and see if they can help.
Contact a local charity or support service to see what support they can offer.
You can contact Conversing Care to arrange a chat to discuss your worries and provide resources to support positive wellbeing changes.

Step 4: Personal Development

Get in the routine of maintaining your wellbeing by:

Meeting your physical and mental needs (Food, Water, Sleep, Hygiene, Social Connection, etc).
Keeping yourself safe from harm the best you can.
Utilise coping strategies to help you better regulate day-to-day stresses and triggers.

Ways to improve your wellbeing:

Get more exercise throughout the week.
Have a consistent bedtime routine.
Build on routine and structure in your life (Career, Education, Family time, etc)

If you need help developing healthier coping strategies, you can find ideas from the Resource Hub or Contact us for support.

Begin a caring conversation

Send us a message

If you like to reflect and write, you can contact us on any of our official social media accounts or by email.

Message us on: Facebook or Instagram

Write us an email: chat@conversingcare.org

Response time: 24 — 48 hours

Request a callback

If you prefer to talk on the phone, we can do just that.

Send us a message, ask and we’ll give you a ring.

We will arrange a date and time which is most suitable for you and the volunteer.

Response time: 24 — 72 hours

National Crisis Helplines

If you’re struggling with your mental health, you’re not alone. The following helplines offer confidential support and can help you find the right services.

Immediate Crisis Support (24/7)

NHS 111 (Select Mental Health Option)

Call: 111 and select the mental health option (Option 2 in some areas).
What it’s for: Urgent mental health support, advice and connection to local crisis services. This is a primary point of contact if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis but are not in immediate physical danger.
Note: If you are deaf or have hearing loss, use NHS 111 – SignVideo or dial 18001 111 (for Textphone).

Samaritans

Call: 116 123 (Free, 24/7)
Email: jo@samaritans.org (Response within 24 hours)
What it’s for: Confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing feelings of distress, despair or suicidal thoughts.

Shout Crisis Text Line

Text: Send the word “SHOUT” to 85258 (Free, 24/7)
What it’s for: Confidential text-based support if you’re in crisis and need immediate help.

PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK

Call: 0800 068 4141 (Free, 24/7)
Text: 88247 (Free, 24/7)
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
What it’s for: Support for young people (under 35) struggling with suicidal feelings or anyone concerned about a young person who might be struggling.

Other Well-Known Support Lines

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Call: 0800 58 58 58 (5pm – midnight, 7 days a week)
Webchat: Via their website thecalmzone.net
What it’s for: Support for men who are down or in crisis.

SANEline

Call: 0300 304 7000 (4pm – 10pm, 365 days/year)
Email: support@sane.org.uk
What it’s for: Emotional support, information and a safe space for anyone affected by mental health problems, their families and carers.

Mind Infoline

Call: 0300 123 3393 (9am – 6pm, Monday – Friday, except bank holidays)
What it’s for: General information and signposting to local services for mental health problems.

YoungMinds Parents Helpline

Call: 0808 802 5544 (9:30am – 4pm, Monday – Friday, excluding bank holidays)
What it’s for: Support for parents and carers concerned about their child’s mental health.

The Mix

Call: 0808 808 4994
Text: Send the word “THEMIX” to 85258
Email: info@themix.org.uk
What it’s for: Free, confidential support for young people under 25 on a range of issues, including mental health.

Childline

Call: 0800 1111 (The number won’t appear on your phone bill)
What it’s for: Free, confidential support for children and young people.

Kent & Medway Crisis Support Services

If you’re in Kent or Medway and struggling with your mental health, local support is more available than you think.

Helplines

Release the Pressure Helpline

Call: 0800 107 0160 (Free, 24/7)
Text: Send the word “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 (Free, 24/7)
What it’s for: A confidential helpline for anyone in Kent and Medway feeling distressed, anxious or down. Staffed by a team of highly trained and experienced support workers.

Conversing Care

Call: We will have a helpline, soon!
Email: chat@conversingcare.org (Response within 24 hours)
Message us on Social Media: Facebook or Instagram
What it’s for: A free and confidential emotional support service for anyone in Kent and Medway struggling to cope by providing communication, resources and signposting.

Kent and Medway Safe Havens (by Mental Health Matters)

Safe Havens offer free, walk-in mental health support in a welcoming, non-clinical environment, sometimes known as ‘crisis cafes’. They provide face-to-face support, as well as phone and video calls.

Safe Haven Locations and Addresses

Ashford Safe Haven

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6.30pm-11.30pm

Address: Ashford Safe Haven, The Paula Carr Centre, William Harvey Hospital, Kennington Rd, Willesborough, Ashford TN24 0LZ

Website: Visit Service Page

Canterbury Safe Haven

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm

Address: 22-23 North Lane, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7EE

Website: Visit Service Page

Dartford Safe Haven

Open: Monday-Sunday, 6pm-11pm

Address: 18 Hythe Street, Dartford, DA1 1BX