Crisis Support

Important Note

Due to the limits of my scope of practice, I am unable to provide crisis support. If you find yourself or someone you know at risk of harm, suicide or other crises, please contact the appropriate services listed below. You are not alone, and help is always available.

If You Are in Immediate Danger

• If you or someone you know is at risk of immediate harm, and you're in the UK, please call emergency services on 999, or dial the emergency number in your region.

• If you are planning to cause life-altering harm to yourself or end your life, it is vital to tell this to your GP or family doctor, contact your local crisis team, or visit your nearest A&E for urgent support.

  • Find your nearest A&E here.

UK Crisis Support Helplines

Many helplines operate 24/7 to provide immediate emotional and practical support:

• Samaritans: Call 116 123 for free, confidential support.

• Shout: Text "Shout" to 85258 for crisis text support.

• SupportLine: Call 01708 765200 for help with emotional distress.

• Self-Injury Support: Call 0808 800 8088.

• For a more extensive list of UK mental health helplines, visit Mind's website:
  https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/helplines-listening-services/

For those outside the UK, please contact crisis services in your region. You can find a worldwide directory of suicide prevention helplines through Befrienders International: https://befrienders.org/ or go to https://findahelpline.com/

Spiritual Crisis

Some crises can feel spiritual in nature, involving grief, loss, or a lack of meaning. These moments can lead to profound personal growth, but they may also feel overwhelming. If you think you might be experiencing a spiritual crisis, the Spiritual Crisis Network (SCN) offers understanding and support.

• Visit: https://spiritualcrisisnetwork.uk/
  SCN typically responds to emails within one week.

Coping Strategies for Crisis Moments

While waiting for support or to help yourself in the moment, you might find the following ideas helpful:

• Regulate your body and mind:
  Try a short, guided breathing exercise from Every Mind Matters to help calm your mind:
  https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-health-issues/anxiety/

• Learn about the window of tolerance:
  Watch this simple and engaging 4-minute video to better understand traumatic stress:
  Window of Tolerance Video

• Ground yourself in the present:

  • Focus on your senses: name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.

  • Splash cold water on your face or hold an ice cube to help ground yourself.

• Connect with someone you trust:
  Reach out to a friend, family member, or trusted person for support or simply to feel less alone.

Reflecting on Your Rights

In moments of crisis, it can help to reflect on your fundamental rights as a human being. These resources may be helpful:

• The Human Bill of Rights by Pete Walker offers a compassionate reminder of your rights in relationships.

• The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights outlines the rights the UK state protects under the Human Rights Act 1998.

• Citizens Advice provides free legal advice for UK citizens. Visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Additional Resources

• If you're experiencing a mental health crisis, the BACP offers some ways to find immediate help. Visit: https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/support-in-a-mental-health-crisis/. 

• For other urgent support options, the National Autistic Society has a good page with links to where you can find help for everything from crime to housing. Visit: https://www.autism.org.uk/contact-us/urgent-help. 

• If you're based locally in the Brighton area, you can find a list of local urgent support services here. Alternatively, if you're elsewhere in the UK, you can find support through Mind's urgent support page: https://www.mind.org.uk/need-urgent-help/using-this-tool/