Good to Talk · Helping a mate · Free. Always.
Help without feeding the anxiety
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.
Reassurance can feel helpful in the moment, but endlessly proving that every feared outcome will not happen can sometimes become part of the cycle.
Listen first
Acknowledge that the anxiety feels real and difficult. Do not ridicule the fear because it seems unlikely to you.
Support appropriate coping
Encourage use of strategies agreed with their clinician or therapist and help them access treatment where needed.
Keep your own boundaries
You can support somebody without becoming available for unlimited reassurance at every hour.
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.