Good to Talk · Helping a mate · Free. Always.
Take it seriously
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. If you need urgent mental-health help but it is not an emergency, in England call NHS 111 and select the mental-health option or use NHS 111 online where appropriate.
You do not need to decide whether they “really mean it”. Treat what they have told you seriously.
Stay with the problem
Listen without judgement. Ask directly about suicide and whether they are in immediate danger. Do not leave somebody alone when you believe there is an immediate risk to life.
Bring in professional help
If there is immediate danger, call 999 or go to A&E. For urgent mental-health help that is not an emergency, use NHS 111 mental-health support in England.
Do not carry it alone
You may need to involve family, healthcare professionals or emergency services even if the person would prefer you not to. Safety comes first.
Useful next pages
Trusted help & further reading
- NHS — where to get urgent help for mental health
- NHS Every Mind Matters — helping others
- Samaritans — if you're worried about someone else
This section is practical guidance, not emergency or clinical care. If somebody's safety is at immediate risk, use emergency services.