Get urgent mental health help

If you have an urgent mental health need, there’s support available to get you the right care in the right place.

If you’re already getting mental health support, if possible please continue to use this service to get the support you need.

Phone 999 or go to A&E now if:

someone’s life is at immediate risk, for example by serious injury or overdose
someone has a life- or limb-threatening emergency like chest pain, severe bleeding or breathing difficulties

Here’s how to get help:

When your GP practice or other mental health support is closed

If you can’t wait for your usual services to reopen, you can phone NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option.

The team at the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub will help you get the right care in the right place. This could include helping you access other resources, directing you to self-care options, or referring you to A&E or 999 if needed.

More information about the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub

You won’t be charged for phoning 111, and it won’t appear on your bill.

NHS 24 can’t arrange appointments with your GP practice, but we can share information with them.

Please note, the Mental Health Hub can’t undertake medication reviews or review existing appointments or referrals.

During busy times, it might take a little longer for NHS 24 to answer your call, but please hold on because we will answer.

Learn more about mental health services at NHS 24

Learn more about contacting 111

Get help during GP practice opening hours

If your GP practice is open, that’s the first place to go for help. Phone your GP practice and ask how they can help.

If you can’t access help from your GP practice, phone NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option. The NHS 24 Mental Health Hub can direct you to the right help.

More information about the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub

You won’t be charged for phoning 111, and it won’t appear on your bill.

NHS 24 can’t arrange appointments with your GP practice, but we can share information with them.

Please note, the Mental Health Hub can’t undertake medication reviews or review existing appointments or referrals.

During busy times, it might take a little longer for NHS 24 to answer your call, but please hold on because we will answer.

Learn more about mental health services at NHS 24

Learn more about contacting 111

If you’re calling on behalf of a child or someone else

NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub is open to all ages.

Calling on behalf of a child or young person

If a child or young person in your care needs to talk to someone urgently, or you’re concerned about their welfare, you should phone your GP practice or their usual mental health team, if they’re open. If not, phone NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option.

The team at the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub will help them get the right care in the right place. This could include helping them access other resources, directing them to self-care options, or arranging urgent follow-up support.

Calling on behalf of a friend or family member

If someone needs help and their GP practice or usual mental health services aren’t open, phone NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option.

The NHS 24 Mental Health Hub will ask you to talk the person through the assessment questions. This will help them identify the most appropriate care and advice. If the person is unable to answer the questions for any reason, the Mental Health Hub might ask you to stay with that person to keep them safe and to call back again later.

If you’re not with the person you’re calling about, the Mental Health Hub may try to get in touch with them directly. Before doing that, the Hub team may ask you to try to contact the person and let them know to expect the call. If you can’t contact the person, the Hub team will still try to contact them.

The Mental Health Hub may recommend you phone 999 if appropriate.

More information about the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub

You won’t be charged for phoning 111, and it won’t appear on your bill.

NHS 24 can’t arrange appointments with your GP practice, but we can share information with them.

Please note, the Mental Health Hub can’t undertake medication reviews or review existing appointments or referrals.

During busy times, it might take a little longer for NHS 24 to answer your call, but please hold on because we will answer.

Learn more about mental health services at NHS 24

Learn more about contacting 111

Visitors and people new to Scotland

Phone NHS 24 on 111 and choose the mental health option. The Mental Health Hub team will direct you to the right help and can provide information about accessing local services.

Find out more about accessing healthcare as an overseas visitor

Learn about contacting NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub using different languages and methods below.

More information about the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub

You won’t be charged for phoning 111, and it won’t appear on your bill.

NHS 24 can’t arrange appointments with your GP practice, but we can share information with them.

Please note, the Mental Health Hub can’t undertake medication reviews or review existing appointments or referrals.

During busy times, it might take a little longer for NHS 24 to answer your call, but please hold on because we will answer.

Learn more about mental health services at NHS 24

Learn more about contacting 111

Learn about contacting NHS 24’s Mental Health Hub using different languages and methods below.

Other languages and communication differences

You can access 111 in a number of different ways.

British Sign Language (BSL)

You can use the free British Sign Language (BSL) interpreting video relay service contactSCOTLAND-BSL.

Textphone

You can contact NHS 24 by textphone on 18001 111, or use the Relay UK app.

If English isn’t your first or preferred language

You can use the free interpretation service Language Line if English isn’t your first or preferred language.

After phoning 111, press 9. You’ll have the option to press 1 to listen to the messages in other languages then:

for Polish (polski) – press 1
for Arabic (العربية) – press 2
for Mandarin (普通话) – press 3
for Spanish (español) – press 4
for Romanian (limba română) – press 5
for Sorani (سۆرانی) – press 6
for Ukrainian (Українська) – press 7
for other languages – press 8

The NHS 24 team member who answers will know that you’ve requested language support, and will arrange an interpreter.

Once you’re connected to an interpreter, you’ll have a three-way conversation with NHS 24. You can explain the problem in your language and get the help you need.