Mental health crisis support

If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or simply need to talk to someone right now

If you feel like you might attempt suicide, or may have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help. Please:​

  • call 999 for an ambulance;​
  • go straight to A&E, if you can​;
  • or call your local crisis team, if you have their number.​

​If you can't do this by yourself, ask someone to help you.​

Mental health emergencies are serious. You're not wasting anyone's time.​

If you can keep yourself safe for a short while, but you still need urgent advice:​

  • contact NHS 111 if you live in England​;
  • contact your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment. Many GPs are now offering these remotely.

Don't suffer in silence, talk to someone who can help!​

  • call a Spectrum.Life counsellor on 0800 031 8383. The helpline is available 24/7 and is free for all University employees. Live Chat is also available via the platform (Org Code: Oxford)
  • call Samaritans on 116 123 (UK-wide) or email them at jo@samaritans.org ​
  • text SHOUT to 85258 (UK-wide) to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line​
  • call the NHS 111 helpline and select the mental health option

​These services are for anyone who's struggling.​

They won't judge you.​

They're free, they're anonymous, and they're always open.​

Mind's page of helplines and listening lines has more numbers to try.

The charity Mind provides more information on how to cope in a crisis. Use these pages but remember to reach out to other people.​

The University's Occupational Health team has created guidance for staff on coping with traumatic events. 

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Contact us

Wellbeing@admin.ox.ac.uk 

Meet the team

Frances Parkes – Wellbeing Programme Manager 

Dr Ruth Collins - Staff Mental Health Training Service Lead

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