Getting urgent advice – emergency phone and web helplines

If you’re looking to speak with someone for immediate help and support with your disability, autism or mental health needs, there are several UK helplines available.

Help in an emergency

Emergency services
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the police, the ambulance service or the fire service:

Telephone: 999
Textphone users: 18000

Urgent medical help

If you or someone you know needs urgent medical help, or is suicidal, go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of any hospital or make an emergency doctors’ appointment.

For urgent medical advice, you can also contact:

NHS 111 (if you live in England or Scotland)

If you live in Wales, phone: 0845 46 47
(or 111 if you live in Hywel Dda, Powys, Aneurin Bevan and Swansea Bay – including Bridgend)

Disability and mental health helplines

Samaritans
Free 24-hour support via phone, email or post.

Telephone: 116 123
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Write to: Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS

Scope helpline
Free, impartial advice and support for disabled people and their families.

Telephone: 0808 800 3333
Email: helpline@scope.org.uk
Textphone: dial 18001 then 0808 800 3333

SHOUT
A free, confidential, anonymous text service for mental health support.

Text: SHOUT to 85258

Carers UK
Information and guidance for unpaid carers, family members and friends.

Telephone: 0808 808 7777
Email: advice@carersuk.org