Information for patients and carers
Crisis support
How to get help in a mental health crisis.
A mental health crisis means you are very stressed and worried.
- You might want to hurt yourself, or someone else.
- You might hear strange voices.
- You might feel that people are watching you or want to hurt you.
If you want, you can tell someone you trust. This might be someone from your family or a friend.
They can help you decide what to do.
If you need urgent help but it isn't an emergency
If you need urgent help for your mental health, but it's not an emergency:
NHS 111 press 2
People experiencing a mental health crisis can call 111 and press 2 to access 24/7 mental health support.
People of all ages who are in crisis, or concerned family and loved ones, can call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional who will guide callers to the most appropriate service for them.
This support includes organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to alternatives services, such as crisis cafés or safe havens which provide a place for people to stay as an alternative to A&E or a hospital admission.
South London NHS Mental Health Crisis Text Service
You can access similar support to what is offered on NHS 111 press 2 via WhatsApp Messenger.
Message 0303 330 1511 on WhatsApp where one of our trained advisors can support you.
Our team can help with a wide range of issues and are here to support you with anything affecting your mental health and wellbeing.
You can also use this link to access the WhatsApp service.
The SLP CAMHS Crisis Line
The SLP CAMHS Crisis Line is an urgent mental health helpline for all children and young people in South London.
The line is operated by NHS trained child and adolescent mental health practitioners and advisors who provide crisis counselling and mental health support.
Call 020 3228 5980
The lines are open Monday to Sunday 9am to 11pm, 365 days per year.
Outside of these hours, you will hear an automated message and be prompted to select your local 24hrs mental health support line.
If you are in contact with one of our mental health services
Check your crisis plan, if you have one.
For support Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm
Contact your care coordinator or the duty number for the team that is supporting you.
If you don't have their details, visit our services.
If you need less urgent help
Don’t suffer in silence. Get help. You could:
- Speak to your GP. They can put you in touch with local services.
- Contact your local NHS talking therapies service
- Get support from one of these national charities
- Contact one of these local organisations
Crisis contacts for health and social care professionals
Emergency services and out of hours: contact our Acute Referral Centre on 020 3228 6272.
During office hours contact your local assessment and liaison team:
Lambeth
Our assessment and liaison team has been replaced with Lambeth Single Point of Access
Email: lambethspa@slam.nhs.uk
Telephone: 0800 090 2456
Croydon
Email: CroydonCentralAssessmentandLiaisonTeam@slam.nhs.uk
Telephone: 020 3228 0365
Southwark North (Maudsley Hospital)
Email: PCMHTSouthwarkNorthReferrals@slam.nhs.uk
Telephone: 020 3228 9800
Our crisis leaflets - including translations
If you or someone else is in danger
If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E now. There are specialist mental health teams in A&E that can support you and refer you to other services.