Get help in a mental health crisis

A mental health crisis can look and feel different for everyone, but it often includes one or more of the following:

• Being at risk of harm to yourself or others
• Having severe anxiety or panic attacks
• Experiencing flashbacks or nightmares from past trauma
• Feeling suicidal or thinking about self-harm
• Going through extreme highs or lows, worrying others may want to harm you, or hearing voices
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• Struggling to communicate clearly or focus on anything else
• Feeling unable to cope or like you’re at breaking point

Triggering events might include bereavement, a relationship ending, work or exam stress, or challenges with addiction. A crisis can happen whether you have a diagnosed mental health condition or have never experienced one before.

Your call will be answered by one of our experienced call handlers who will help you access the support you may need.

This may involve speaking to a qualified Mental Health Practitioner such as a Social Worker or Occupational Therapist.

If you or someone you know is experiencing emotional distress we can:

• Listen to you and help you work through immediate problems
• Work with you, using your crisis plan, to find ways to move forward or suggest ways of coping
• Give you information about other services that may be helpful to you or the person you care for

We can also advise you about the wide range of local and national help available including:

• Relevant mental health services
• Statutory and third-sector organisations e.g. helplines, support groups and networks, advocacy services
• Information on specific conditions such as stress, anxiety, depression, psychosis and obsessive-compulsive disorders
• If necessary we can help you to speak to another qualified practitioner 

Yes. Details of your call will be stored in your electronic health record, and remain confidential within Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

However, we will inform the emergency services if you say that you are intending to either harm yourself, or others; commit a crime or place a child at risk.

Your call may also be recorded for training or monitoring purposes.

Our Safe Havens provide out-of-hours help and support to people and their carers who are experiencing a mental health crisis or emotional distress.

There are five Safe Havens across Surrey and North East Hampshire which are open evenings, weekends, and bank holidays:

• Safe Haven, Aldershot
• Safe Haven, Epsom
• Safe Haven, Guildford
• Safe Haven, Redhill
• Safe Haven, Woking

The virtual Safe Haven offers crisis support virtually. To access the service, please use the link: https://nhs.vc/sabp/safe-haven-woking