Emergency contacts and mental health crisis support

The Staff Counselling Centre is not an emergency service.

For urgent mental health support call 111 and select the mental health option (option 2) to speak to a mental health professional 24/7.  

In a medical emergency, go straight to A&E at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. 

If someone has attempted suicide, call 999 and stay with them until the ambulance arrives. 

If you're worried that someone is at immediate risk of taking their own life, if you feel able: 

• stay with them, even if that's online or over the telephone 
• get emergency help

Other sources of mental health crisis support

• Call Samaritans Freephone Helpline
  • Telephone: 116 123
  • Email: jo@samaritans.org
  • Website: Samaritans
• During working hours, call your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment  
• Text SHOUT to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line
• Mind lists more helplines and listening lines you can try. These services are for anyone who is struggling. They are free, anonymous and always open. 

• Cambridgeshire Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind have in-person mental health sanctuaries based in Cambridge and Peterborough. If you call NHS 111 they can direct you to a Mind Sanctuary if appropriate.

  • Telephone: 111

• Employee Assistance 24/7 helpline

If you are supporting someone who is experiencing a mental health crisis or has disclosed that they are having suicidal thoughts 

• Ask them if they have told any family members or friends about what they are going through.
• Ask them if they have a plan to take their own life.
• If they disclose their plan to you: support them to call 111 and select the mental health option.
• Advise that they speak to their GP surgery to book an emergency appointment.
• Mind has more information on how to support someone who feels suicidal

One of the best things you can do if you think someone may be feeling suicidal is to encourage them to talk and to listen to what they say. You don’t need to provide a solution, the most important thing you can do to help is listen.

Please remember to look after and support yourself as well.