Practical facts about asking for help, sharing concerns and getting support of your own. Check the UK nation named in each section.
1. In England, you can call NHS 111 about someone else
Choose the mental-health option and describe what is happening. You do not need their GP details. If they already have a crisis-team number, use that first. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have different urgent routes, listed on the urgent-help page. NHS England urgent mental-health guidance.
2. You can share concerns with a service
Confidentiality may prevent staff from discussing a patient's care with you, but it does not prevent them from listening. Give factual changes, dates and risks. Where possible and safe, be open with the person that you are doing this. GMC confidentiality guidance.
Confidentiality: what you can tell the care team and what they may share.
3. In England and Wales, "nearest relative" is not next of kin
Under current Mental Health Act guidance, the nearest relative is chosen by legal rules and has particular rights. It is not the same as next of kin. The Mental Health Act 2025 provides for this role to be replaced by a nominated person who can be chosen by the patient, but those provisions are not yet in force. Ask the AMHP which rules apply at the time. Mind: current nearest-relative rights and Mental Health Act 2025: nominated-person provisions.
4. You can still pass on information from a distance
Living elsewhere does not stop you passing concerns to a GP or care team. If help is urgent, use the route for the UK nation where the person is and explain where you are calling from. They may not be able to share information in return. See the GP letter builder.
5. You may be able to contact an Early Intervention team directly
Early Intervention in Psychosis (EIP) teams work with people who may be experiencing a first episode. Some teams accept direct referrals from relatives or friends; others use a GP or local access service.
Search for “early intervention in psychosis” and their town or area. Check the local NHS service’s referral process and whether the person’s consent is needed. The psychosis guide explains what to ask. If help cannot wait, use the urgent-help route.NHS psychosis treatment guidance; Hampshire and Isle of Wight referral routes; Bradford referral and consent requirements. The local service examples are in England.
6. You may be entitled to support of your own
If you regularly provide unpaid support, you may be able to request a carer's assessment or local equivalent. You do not have to use the word “carer” in everyday life to ask what support is available. See Rights & money and Carers UK's nation-specific guidance.
7. “They have capacity” is not a blanket answer
In England and Wales, capacity relates to one specific decision at the time it needs to be made. It may fluctuate, and an unwise choice does not by itself mean a person lacks capacity. See what “they have capacity” means.
8. In England and Wales, some aftercare following detention is free
People detained for treatment under Section 3 and some court or prison sections may have a right to free Section 117 mental-health aftercare. Ask whether it applies before discharge and which services are included in the care plan. See coming home after a crisis.
9. A service decision can be questioned
Ask what was decided, why and what should happen next. If the situation changes, pass on the new information rather than waiting for a complaint. See when mental-health services say no.
And you?
If you have been trying to work all this out alone, visit Support for you or find a community.
Sources and how this guide was written
Last full source check: 27 August 2026
Later checks: Help-route wording checked: 1 October 2026.
Independent information, not a medical or crisis service. This guidance has not been clinically reviewed. How we use sources.
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