If their life is at risk or you cannot keep them safe
Call 999 or go to A&E now. This includes a suicide attempt or serious injury. Tell the service their age and what has happened. Do not wait for a routine referral or a school meeting. NHS emergency guidance.
Independent signposting for adults supporting under-18s. Not clinically reviewed; legal information has not had specialist legal review. How we use sources.
Urgent help when there is no immediate danger to life
If they have a care team, use its crisis contact or agreed plan. If you cannot reach the team or do not have a plan, use the route below. Explain that you are calling about a child and describe your concerns.
- England: call 111 and select the mental health option. NHS England's children's crisis route.
- Wales: call 111 and press 2. This service covers all ages. NHS Wales urgent support.
- Scotland: contact their GP or usual mental health team if open; otherwise call NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option. The hub is for all ages. NHS inform's advice for calls about children.
- Northern Ireland: use our Northern Ireland urgent-help route. nidirect explains crisis help and Lifeline. The England and Wales 111 mental health routes do not apply.
What to tell the service
You do not need a diagnosis. Useful information includes their age, what happened, what they have said, any injury or possible overdose, where they are, existing care and why you are worried about safety. Say if you are alone or cannot manage safely. Ask what to do while help is arranged and who to contact if things change.
If they may have taken an overdose or swallowed something harmful, call 999 or go to A&E even if they seem well: NHS poisoning guidance. Do not use this website to decide whether a substance or amount is safe.
Support for you
You can ask another trusted adult to help you contact services. If you need someone to listen, Samaritans: 116 123 is free, day or night. Listening support does not replace emergency care.
Worried about suicide · Child self-harm · Getting help and waiting
Sources and review status
Scope: adults supporting a child or teenager under 18 in the UK. NHS urgent-help guidance governs emergency actions; nation-specific NHS and statutory sources govern local routes. YoungMinds adds supporter conversation and service-navigation advice.
- NHS: urgent mental health help
- NHS: poisoning
- NHS England: children's crisis services
- NHS Wales: 111 press 2
- NHS inform: urgent help, including calls about a child
- nidirect: Northern Ireland crisis help
Last full source check: 12 October 2026
This is a source and signposting check, not clinical approval or a specialist legal review. Local service eligibility and availability must be checked with the provider.
Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.
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