Get help with mental health
Symptoms of mental health difficulties
The symptoms related to a mental health crisis can affect individuals in a variety of ways.
- When experiencing psychosis, some people feel highly agitated, anxious or in despair, have suicidal impulses or the need to self-harm, are immobilised by depression, or are frightened.
- Others feel confused or delirious because of an infection, overdose, illicit drugs or intoxication with alcohol. Confusion may also be associated with dementia.
- The crisis may be a sudden deterioration of an existing mental health problem, or a person may be experiencing mental health problems for the first time.
Crisis means they need immediate expert assessment to identify what the best care should be and prevent further worsening of their mental wellbeing.
If you are supporting someone in this situation, it is natural that some of their behaviours may worry you. It’s fine to talk about suicidal and self-harming thoughts and it does not mean they are more likely to act on them.
What to do in a crisis
If you or someone you know is in rapid decline with their mental health it’s important to seek help. In Lewisham we have a number of services that can support people facing these issues.
For non-urgent help and support:
- contact the GP
- if the person is known to mental health services, please contact their named coordinator or the team that is currently treating or supporting the patient
- if the person is known to mental health services and you don’t know the care coordinator or team, please contact the assessment and liaison service on 020 3228 9200
- call NHS 111
- call the local mental health crisis line on 0800 731 2864.
For urgent support:
- ask the person if they will go to Accident and Emergency at Lewisham Hospital to be assessed by the Psychiatric Liaison Service:
University Hospital Lewisham
Lewisham High Street
SE13 6LH
Tel: 020 8333 3000. - if you think the person is at risk of causing harm to themselves and/or others then call the police on 999.
- call the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust at any time, every day of the year, who can point you in the right direction on 0800 731 2864.
South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust (SLaM) is the provider of mental health and substance misuse services in Croydon, Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Other useful contacts
- Psychiatric Liaison: 020 8333 3000
Mental health crisis support from South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.
- Solidarity in a Crisis - out of hours crisis line: 0300 123 1922 or text 0788 9756 087/0788 9756 083
- The Samaritans: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: 0845 790 9090
- SELDOC out of hours GP service: 020 8693 9066
- SANEline: 0845 767 8000
- Psychosis support for 18– 25 year olds.
Lewisham Talking Therapies
Lewisham Talking Therapies is a free and confidential NHS service which offers a range of psychological therapies to adults 18 years and over, who live or are registered with a GP in the borough.
The aim is to improve the mental well-being of people experiencing difficulties such as:
- low mood
- sleep problems
- feeling down due to unemployment or difficulties at work
- low self-esteem
- panic attacks
- sadness that won't go away
- excessive worrying or anxiety
- relationship or family problems
- low mood due to a medical condition for example diabetes or fatigue
- experience of a traumatic event
- difficulties adjusting to life changes
- loss and grief
- stress
You can access the service by calling 0203 228 1350, filling in the referral form, or speaking to your GP.