If you have taken an overdose, think you are at risk of severe harm or of harming someone else, please dial 999 and ask for an ambulance. Don’t delay as minutes can matter. Call now!
If you don’t want to call 999
If you can keep yourself safe at the moment, but still need urgent advice:
- Go to your nearest A&E department.
- Contact the NHS 111 service by dialling 111 from your phone or visiting the NHS 111 website.
- Contact your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment. Many are offering telephone appointments because of COVID-19.
- Contact a mental health crisis support helpline. We have listed several below, along with a link to a list of mental health charity helplines maintained by the NHS.
- Refer yourself for counselling, either via your GP or through a private counselling service such as ours. You can complete our referral form online or call us on 0151 329 3637.
If you need to talk to someone, day or night
The Samaritans
The Samaritans operate a 24-hour 7-day a week service on 116 123. Calls to this number are free and do not appear on itemised bills. Alternatively, you can phone 0330 094 5717 (charged at local rates). You can also email jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
The Samaritans offer a drop-in service in some areas (Liverpool included–see below). They also operate an online self-help app. Their app might help you keep track of your feelings, and gives recommendations for things you can do to help yourself cope, feel better, and stay safe in a crisis.
Shout text service
Shout is the UK’s first 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in a mental health crisis anytime, anywhere. It’s a place to go if you’re struggling to cope and you need immediate help. You can contact them by texting SHOUT (or YP if you are under 19) to 85258.
Papyrus
Are you, or is a young person you know, not coping with life? Papyrus offer support for anyone under 35. You can call them 24-hours a day on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 393 967, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
Childline
If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. Calls are free, and the number will not appear on your phone bill. They also operate a chat service. Their website gives further details about their service.
If you need help during a mental health crisis
Mental health crisis self-help
The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis. These include calming exercises and a tool to help you get through the next few hours.
NHS urgent mental health crisis helplines
NHS England provides 24-hour mental health helplines are for people of all ages. You can call them for advice and support for you, your family, or anyone else you are concerned about. Visit their webpage to find your local number to call as it varies by age and geographic region.
The number for the Liverpool and Wirral area is 0300 303 3972, and it is the same number for both adults and children. You can find further details of the service on Cheshire and Wirral Partnership website.
The Mental Health Crisis Team
The NHS also operates a 24-hour emergency service within your local hospital’s A&E department. You can turn up at A&E reception and ask to see someone from the crisis team. You may have to wait a while, but they will see you. Mersey Care runs the service in Merseyside. You can find further details on their website.
Local Services (Liverpool area only)
The Liverpool Light
The Liverpool Light is free preventative out-of-hours mental health crisis service. It’s open from 6 PM to 1 AM, 7–days a week. It provides a safe place for people who are experiencing or at risk of a mental health crisis: a secure environment for individuals to de-escalate, recuperate, and begin their recovery.
They also provide a specialised referral service outside of GP and day service hours, offering an alternative to attending the A&E department at the nearby Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
James’ Place
James’ Place provides a service to men and those who identify as men, who live in the Liverpool area, are over 18 and are in suicidal crisis. You can contact them by phoning 0151 303 5757, emailing info@jamesplace.org.uk or via the form on their website. You also access their 24/7 helpline by texting JP to 85258.
The Samaritans, Liverpool
Liverpool Samaritans runs a drop-in service at 25 Clarence Street, L3 5TN, open 10 AM and 8 PM 7-days a week. You can reach them on 0151 708 8888.
Andy’s Man Club
Andy’s Man Club is open to all men aged 18 and over and has groups all around the country, including three in the local area. All groups are free to attend and no referral is required. AMC meets every Monday at 7 PM (bank holidays excepted). There are also online groups for those unable to attend in person. Email info@andysmanclub.co.uk for further details.
Other services
Mental health crisis helplines
The NHS maintains a list of mental health charity helplines that can offer expert advice in dealing with a mental health crisis.
Ongoing support for mental health issues
While we cannot provide a 24-hour emergency service, we can offer help and support once the crisis has passed. Talking things through with someone can make a massive difference and could avert another crisis. Please contact us for further information.
