Emergency, Crisis & Urgent Support (UK) – Full Disability-Inclusive Guide
This guide is for all adults and young people,
including people with:
Physical disabilities
Learning disabilities
Autism
ADHD
Mental health conditions
Sensory impairment
Chronic illnesses
Hidden disabilities
Dementia
Long-term health conditions
Multiple support needs
Emergency and crisis support should be accessible to everyone regardless of disability, communication needs, age, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexuality, or background.
If Someone Is In Immediate Danger
Call 999
Call 999 immediately if:
- Someone's life is at risk
- There is a medical emergency
- Someone is seriously injured
- There is immediate risk of abuse
- Someone is experiencing a mental health emergency and may seriously harm themselves or others
- A vulnerable adult or child is in immediate danger
Emergency Services
- Police
- Ambulance
- Fire & Rescue
- Coastguard
For non-emergencies, call 101 for police assistance.
NHS Urgent Support
NHS 111
Call 111 or use:
NHS 111 is available:
- 24 hours a day
- 7 days a week
- Free from mobiles and landlines
NHS 111 can:
- Assess urgent health concerns
- Arrange urgent care
- Refer to crisis teams
- Help with mental health emergencies
- Direct you to local services
- Arrange emergency support where needed
It supports both physical and mental health concerns.
Accessible NHS 111 Services
For people with disabilities:
- Relay UK: 18001 111
- British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter service
- Easy Read resources
- Large print resources
- Audio guides
- Learning disability accessible information
Available through NHS 111 services.
Mental Health Crisis Support
NHS Mental Health Crisis Support
If you need urgent mental health help but it is not a 999 emergency:
Call 111 and select the Mental Health Option
You will be connected to trained mental health professionals who can:
- Assess risk
- Arrange urgent support
- Refer to crisis teams
- Connect you with local services
- Help with safety planning
- Arrange face-to-face support if necessary
Available 24/7 across England.
NHS Mental Health Support
NHS Urgent Mental Health Support
Suicidal Thoughts or Immediate Mental Health Risk
Emergency Help
Call:
- 999
- Go to A&E
- Contact NHS 111 Mental Health Option
If you feel unable to keep yourself safe, seek emergency help immediately.
Samaritans
Available 24 hours a day.
Telephone
116 123
Website
Support for:
- Emotional distress
- Suicidal thoughts
- Loneliness
- Crisis situations
- Mental health difficulties
Shout Crisis Text Service
Free confidential text support.
Text
SHOUT to 85258
Website
Available 24/7.
Adult Safeguarding Emergencies
Safeguarding means protecting adults who may be experiencing:
- Abuse
- Neglect
- Financial abuse
- Domestic abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Discrimination
- Self-neglect
- Organisational abuse
If someone is in immediate danger:
Call 999
If not immediate danger:
Call 101
Or contact your local authority safeguarding team.
NHS Safeguarding Information
NHS Safeguarding Concerns Guide
Find Local Safeguarding Contacts
NHS Safeguarding Contacts Directory
Emergency Social Care Support
Local councils have emergency social care duties.
Support may include:
- Emergency care arrangements
- Adult safeguarding investigations
- Emergency accommodation
- Protection from abuse
- Crisis intervention
- Care assessments
- Support for carers
Find Your Local Council
Find Your Local Council (GOV.UK)
Ask for:
- Adult Social Care
- Emergency Duty Team
- Adult Safeguarding Team
Domestic Abuse Support
Domestic abuse can affect anyone regardless of:
- Gender
- Disability
- Sexual orientation
- Age
- Relationship status
Domestic abuse includes:
- Physical abuse
- Emotional abuse
- Coercive control
- Financial abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Digital abuse
- Threats and intimidation
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Telephone
0808 2000 247
24 hours a day.
Website
National Domestic Abuse Helpline
Refuge
Refuge UK
Provides:
- Crisis support
- Safety planning
- Emergency accommodation referrals
- Specialist domestic abuse services
Respect Helpline
Support for people concerned about their own behaviour.
Telephone
0808 802 4040
Website
Disability-Specific Crisis Support
Scope
Helpline
0808 800 3333
Website
Support with:
- Disability issues
- Benefits
- Independent living
- Crisis signposting
- Social care information
Disability Rights UK
Website
Provides information on:
- Disability rights
- Safeguarding
- Housing
- Benefits
- Education
- Social care
Learning Disability and Autism Crisis Support
People with learning disabilities and autistic people have the same right to emergency and crisis support as everyone else.
NHS services should provide:
- Reasonable adjustments
- Accessible communication
- Easy Read information
- Support for carers where appropriate
NHS Learning Disabilities
NHS Learning Disabilities Information
NHS Autism Information
Carers in Crisis
If a carer becomes unable to continue caring because of illness, injury, or emergency:
Contact:
- Adult Social Care
- Local Authority Emergency Duty Team
- NHS 111
- Emergency services if there is immediate risk
Carers UK
Telephone: 0808 808 7777
Citizens Advice
Free confidential advice about:
- Housing emergencies
- Benefits problems
- Debt crises
- Social care
- Disability rights
- Safeguarding concerns
Key Emergency Numbers
Service
Contact
Emergency Services
999
Police (non-emergency)
101
NHS Urgent Help
111
NHS Mental Health Crisis
111 (Mental Health Option)
Samaritans
116 123
Shout Crisis Text
Text SHOUT to 85258
Domestic Abuse Helpline
0808 2000 247
Scope Helpline
0808 800 3333
Carers UK
0808 808 7777
Important Reminder
If someone is at immediate risk of serious harm, abuse, suicide, violence, neglect, or a medical
emergency, call 999 immediately. For urgent health or mental health support that is not life-threatening, contact NHS 111, which provides accessible support for people with disabilities, including BSL, Relay UK, Easy Read and other communication adjustments