If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency or want help to avoid a crisis, you should get expert advice and assessment.
You can access round-the-clock local mental health crisis services directly by calling 111(opens in a new tab) and selecting the mental health option.
If you are already engaging with mental health services you should contact your existing service directly on the usual phone number or the out-of-hours number. Contact telephone numbers will be in your care plan and treatment plan letters.
You can also visit welcoming in-person Talking Spaces (Birmingham Talking Space(opens in a new tab)) and Crisis Cafes (Solihull Crisis(opens in a new tab)) for an informal and supportive conversation with specialist workers.
If you would prefer to start a conversation about your mental health over text message, you can text ‘Space’ to 85258(opens in a new tab) to be connected to a mental health professional anytime, anywhere. This service is free, confidential, off-bill and operates 24/7. The service is for people of all ages with a mobile phone who live in Birmingham or Solihull.
For general emotional and wellbeing advice and information, please call the Birmingham Mind helpline on 0121 262 3555(opens in a new tab) (Freephone 0800 915 9292(opens in a new tab)) between 9am and 11pm. Alternatively, email help@birminghammind.org (opens in a new tab)or contact the webchat service Helpline – Birmingham Mind(opens in a new tab)
If you or someone you are with is in immediate physical danger, please call 999(opens in a new tab) or visit A&E.
Coping during a crisis
The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis(opens in a new tab).
This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours.
In an emergency
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- Someone’s life is at risk – for example they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
- You do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.
Other helpful support
These free listening services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans(opens in a new tab), or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours.
- If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline(opens in a new tab). The number will not appear on your phone bill.
- Papyrus – suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINE247, is a free, confidential, non-judgmental space to talk openly about your thoughts of suicide with our trained advisers. For people under the age of 35. Call 0800 0684141(opens in a new tab). Text 07860 039967(opens in a new tab). Open 24/7.
