Need Urgent Help or Support?

Need Urgent Help or Support?

If you are distressed or experiencing despair, try to speak to somebody now.

• Is there a family member or a friend you could call?
• Is there a neighbour or colleague who can help?

If you or anyone else is in immediate danger or harm, then please call 999.

Do you need medical or mental health help now?

If so, then it is crucial that you contact the right person - most likely your GP. They will help you to get specialist help. If your GP surgery is closed, their answerphone will direct you to the right place.

If you are in Durham, the local NHS Crisis and Home Treatment Service is available for both mental health crisis and emotional support, on: 0800 0516 171. It operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and you can call for support for yourself, or advice about someone of concern.

Call NHS 111 if you need medical help or advice that is not life-threatening.

Need to talk?

If no-one is available when you need help, or you'd like to speak to an impartial person in confidence, you can contact the Samaritans on 116123 for round-the-clock support. You can also contact them by email or by post.

Durham Nightline is open every night 9pm to 7am for the rest of term. Phone line is currently unavailable due to COVID-19 restrictions, but you can contact the via anonymous Instant Message service at durhamnightline.com

During working hours?

The most appropriate contact is probably your GP.

The Counselling Service is available for consultation and signposting towards alternative sources of support.  Email counsel.service@dur.ac.uk

Are you currently out of the country?

If so, then contact the Emergency Services in the country where you are. 

You also check available helplines in the country where you are on the Therapy Route or Befrienders websites

Helplines, Suicide Hotlines, and Crisis-Lines from Around the World (therapyroute.com)

Our Members | Befrienders

If you are abroad for university purposes (e.g. work placement, year abroad) you can also contact Durham University 24 hour emergency contact numbers: +44 (0) 191 334 3333 / +44 (0) 191 334 2222