Skip over main navigation
  • Sign up
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Accessibility
  • Contact Us
Support in Mind Scotland
Need urgent help? Covid-19 Support Donate
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Home
  • About us
    • Values
    • Meet the team
      • Board of Directors
      • CEO
      • Staff Directory
      • NMT
    • Partner with us
    • Our history
    • Ambassadors
  • Mental health services
    • Our Services
    • Urgent help
    • Help for families and carers
    • Your rights
    • Other organisations
  • Information
    • Coronavirus Support & Guidance
    • About mental health
    • Policy
      • Influencing policy
      • Policy priorities
    • Reports and publications
    • Our Newsletter
    • Annual report
    • For staff only
  • Our impact
    • Inspiring stories
    • Ending stigma
    • Statistics
  • Get involved
    • Donate
    • Fundraising
    • 100 Streets Challenge
      • Info & Register
      • Donate/Fundraise
      • Testimonials and blogs
      • FAQs
      • Edinburgh Streets - photos wanted!
    • Membership
    • Work with us
    • Volunteer
    • Leaving a legacy
    • Events
    • E-Cards
  • News and opinion
    • Our News
    • Mental Health News Round-up
    • Opinion
  • Training
  • Shop
  • Admin
    • Log in
    • Accessibility
    • Contact Us
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. Mental health services
  2. Urgent help

If you need urgent help

Are you looking for help in a crisis?

If it is an emergency do not hesitate to call 999 for an ambulance or police help.

If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans helpline is 116 123 and is open 24 hours, 7 days a week. Calls can be made anytime, from any phone. All calls are confidential.

The Breathing Space helpline is open 24h at week-ends (Friday 6pm - Monday 6am) - All calls are confidential - 0800 83 85 87

If you cannot wait for your GP's surgery to open call NHS 24 by dialling 111

You can also call the police, your emergency social work team or emergency community mental health team.

If you are concerned about your own wellbeing or about the vulnerability of someone you know you can contact your local social work department . Click on this link to access contact details of all Social Work departments in Scotland https://socialworkscotland.org/contact/

Are you or someone you know suicidal?

  • If it is an emergency do not hesitate to call 999

  • If you need to talk to someone call
    Samaritans - on 116 123 - open 24/7 or
    Breathing Space – on 0800 838587

  • Talk openly about suicide and don't avoid the issue.

  • Listen to your friend or relative's feelings

  • Express your own feelings
  • Ask for help
  • Do not be judgmental
  • Alternatives are available, talk about those
  • Do not promise confidentiality, you may need to call for urgent help
  • Remove any means the person has to complete or attempt suicide
  • Get assistance
  • Call the Samaritans (116 123), Breathing Space (0800-83-85-87) or 999 if in an emergency

What to do in a crisis

  • DO bring the person to a calm environment
  • DO explain what you are doing and why
  • DO speak calmly to avoid further distress
  • DO remember that people may recall what has happened when they are well, even though they appear to be out of touch with reality at the time of the incident
  • DO stay with the person and listen (if safe for you)
  • DON'T give complex instructions
  • DON'T make sudden moves
  • DON'T try and talk a person out of their feelings - they are very real to them
  • DON'T assume that everything a person says is the result of a delusion - it may be true (e.g. reporting an incident)

Published: 25th February, 2019

Updated: 11th June, 2019

Author:

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Young adults the loneliest in rural Scotland during Covid

    Young adults the loneliest in rural Scotland during Covid

    RuralCovidLife survey highlights the psychological, social and financial effects of the Covid-19 restrictions on people living in rural areas

  • Calling all SiMS Members: Have Your Say in our 2021 Survey

    Calling all SiMS Members: Have Your Say in our 2021 Survey

    Please help inform our work and priorities by taking a couple of minutes to complete Support in Mind Scotland's 2021 Members' Survey

  • Peer support helping Stafford Centre through pandemic

    Peer support helping Stafford Centre through pandemic

    Through these difficult times, Support in Mind Scotland's Edinburgh resource is showing great community spirit to support people with their mental health and keep them connected

  • 2020 Winter Appeal - Please watch

    2020 has been a hard year for all, but winter will be especially difficult for many, especially those living with mental illness. Please, if you can, donate to our Winter Appeal, so we can continue supporting those that need us.

Most read

  • Edinburgh Services: Stafford Centre

    Edinburgh Services: Stafford Centre

  • Help in a crisis

    Help in a crisis

  • Aims and Activities

    Aims and Activities

    Our values, beliefs and priorities

  • Our history

    Our history

  • #100StreetsChallenge. Registration for 2019 open NOW!

    #100StreetsChallenge. Registration for 2019 open NOW!

    Sign up to our free challenge and discover what lies beyond your doorstep, one street at a time

  • Carers' Information Pack - Information for carers, friends and families

    Carers' Information Pack - Information for carers, friends and families

    The Carers' Information Pack gives information to carers about mental illness and where to find support.

  • 1 in 100 report: Living with schizophrenia and psychosis in Scotland

    1 in 100 report: Living with schizophrenia and psychosis in Scotland

    View the findings of Support in Mind Scotland’s “Living with Schizophrenia” survey published April 2015

  • Fife Services

  • Forensic Mental Health Services

    Forensic mental health services assess and treat people who are called ‘mentally disordered offenders’ under the Mental Health Act and who are detained in secure health facilities.

  • What is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)

    Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help you manage your difficulties by changing the way you think and behave. It is mostly used to treat anxiety and depression but can also be used in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Tag cloud

#1IN100 1 IN 100 Carers carers breaks Edinburgh Mental Health mental illness Running Scottish Schizophrenia Survey Stigma University of Edinburgh

Latest tweet

About us

Support In Mind Scotland is the operating name of the National Schizophrenia Fellowship (Scotland), a company limited by guarantee registered in Scotland SC088179. Charity Number SC 013649.

Contact us

Information Line: 0300 3231545
Office number: 0131 662 4359
Support in Mind Scotland
6 Newington Business Centre
Dalkeith Road Mews
Edinburgh EH16 5GA
[email protected]

  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube

Useful links

  • Jobs
  • Accessibility
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Sitemap
  • Admin login
  • My details
  • Log out

Become a member

Join Support in Mind Scotland FREE OF CHARGE and help us to support & empower those affected by mental illness

Sign up