This is urgent if…
Call 999 or go to A&E if:
- Someone has taken an overdose
- Someone has seriously harmed themselves
- Someone is in immediate physical danger
- Someone cannot keep themselves safe right now
- A child is in immediate risk of harm
Do not wait. Do not "see how they are in the morning". Do not try to handle it alone.
Mental health crisis lines — UK
- NHS 111 (option 2 in many areas) — 24/7 mental health crisis line
- Samaritans — 116 123 (free, 24/7, any kind of distress)
- Papyrus HOPELINE247 — 0800 068 4141 (under 35s, suicide prevention)
- Shout — text 85258 (24/7 crisis text)
- Childline — 0800 1111 (under 19s)
- YoungMinds Parents Helpline — 0808 802 5544
- CALM — 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight)
- SANEline — 0300 304 7000 (4pm–10pm)
If your child is dysregulated but safe
- Lower your voice and your demands
- Reduce sensory input — dim lights, less talking
- Stay nearby without crowding
- Don't try to teach or discipline in the moment
- Offer water, a safe item, a familiar smell
- After it ends, give them time to recover — meltdowns are exhausting
What to say to a child or teen in distress
- "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."
- "You're not in trouble."
- "We will work this out together."
- "You don't have to talk yet."
- "Your feelings make sense."
After a crisis
- Speak to the GP within a few days
- Ask for a CAMHS referral or follow-up
- Keep a written record of what happened
- Care for yourself too — crises are traumatic for parents
Do
- Take every threat seriously
- Remove access to means where possible
- Tell someone — don't carry it alone
Don't
- Don't promise to keep suicidal thoughts secret
- Don't shame self-harm
- Don't assume "they're just attention-seeking"
Asking for help is the bravest thing. Calling 999 is not an overreaction.