TALKING ABOUT HOW YOU’RE FEELING RIGHT NOW
I feel I need help now – what can I do?
There are several things you can do if you feel you need urgent help, these will be different depending on your circumstances.
We have given an overview of things you can do below.
I don’t feel I can keep myself safe
If you feel you are not able to keep yourself safe or if you have taken an overdose or seriously injured yourself you can:
- Call 999 or
- Go to your nearest A&E
I am having suicidal thoughts, but know I will not act on them
If you are in touch with a mental health team:
If you are having suicidal thoughts, and are already in contact with your local community mental health team, you should follow the crisis plan you have been given by the team.
If you are not currently in touch with a mental health team:
Mental health teams will often have a mental health Helpline. You can call the line even if you have not been in touch with mental health services before. You can find details of your local NHS urgent mental health helpline here, or you can call NHS 111 to ask them for details.
You can also ask your GP for an emergency appointment. GPs usually keep a number of appointments free for urgent cases. The GP can make a referral to the local crisis team if necessary.
I would find it helpful to talk about how I am feeling right now
Emotional support lines or ‘listening services’ can be helpful if you are experiencing suicidal feelings. These helplines are not counselling services or part of the NHS and they do not have expertise in OCD.
Some examples of these helpline include:
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK
National helpline offering supportive listening service to anyone throughout the UK with thoughts of suicide or thoughts of self-harm. They are open 6pm to 3:30 am for those aged 18 or over.
Telephone: 0800 689 5652 Website: www.spuk.org.uk
- Samaritans
Can be contacted by telephone, letter and e-mail and they are open 24 hours a day, every day of the year.
Telephone: 116 123 Website: www.samaritans.org Email: jo@samaritans.org
- The Mix
The Mix supports people under 25. They have a crisis text service which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as well as a helpline which is open between 4pm and 11pm, 7 days a week.
Text message service: Text THEMIX to 85258 Telephone: 0808 808 4994 Website: www.themix.org.uk
I would like more information about OCD, Treatment and my Rights
You can contact our Helpline by phone or email. We are open Monday to Friday. You can learn more about the kind of support our Helpline provides here.