In an emergency

If your relative’s mental health deteriorates rapidly, you may need to get help and support urgently. It is helpful to plan what to do in an emergency and keep relevant phone numbers in your mobile phone, or by your landline, in case you need them quickly.

Speak to your relative's care coordinator to find out the number to ring for urgent advice and help during office hours, and ask them what to do at other times (they may suggest you contact a crisis resolution/home treatment team, for example). Your relative's care plan should include written information about getting help during a crisis.

In an emergency, during office hours:

• contact your relative's care coordinator, or do as they have advised you;
• or contact your relative’s GP;
• or contact you relative’s psychiatrist, if you have a good relationship with them.

In an emergency, outside office hours:

• phone the number given by your relative's care coordinator;
• or phone the local social services emergency duty team (you can find this number in advance by searching for 'social services emergency team' on your local council's website);
• or take your relative to an accident and emergency department where you can see a duty psychiatrist.

If your relative tries to take his or her own life:

seek medical help immediately. Take him or her to an accident and emergency department, or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.

If you are seriously worried about your own safety:

call 999 and ask for the police.