Mental health help and support

Medical emergency

In the first instance you should try to contact your GP, or if it is life threatening, call 999.

NHS 24 also provides advice 24 hours a day, every day on 08454 24 24 24.

Urgent mental health assessment

If you cannot get hold of your GP and it is not life threatening, you should contact the Mental Health Assessment Service open 24 hours a day, every day on 0131 537 6000.

This is an emergency assessment service based at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital and The Royal Infirmary Edinburgh.

Urgent social work assessment

If you or someone you know is at risk of harm, you should ask us for advice.

Edinburgh Crisis Centre

If you are looking for face to face support, but don't want an immediate assessment, Edinburgh Crisis Centre may be able to help.  The Centre has a 24 hour free helpline

Free phone number 0808 801 0414

Send a text to 07974429075

Email crisis@edinburghcrisiscentre.org.uk

Telephone support

If you just want to speak with someone over the phone and are feeling suicidal or need emotional support, contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 08457 90 90 90.

Your call is confidential and will be taken by a trained worker. Calls are at local call rates.

Or, if you are feeling depressed or have a low mood, you can phone and speak to a Breathing Space worker between 6 pm and 2 am Monday to Thursday and Friday 6 pm to Monday 6 am on the free helpline 0800 83 85 87.

Further information

You may also want to read information on Suicide prevention or Reporting an adult at risk of harm or the role of the Mental Health Officer

Edspace provides a directory of local mental health services and factsheets.