If someone is in immediate danger, call the emergency number for their current location. Do not wait for an email reply, a private-treatment callback or a planned appointment. This website does not provide emergency care or monitor messages.
United States
For a life-threatening emergency, call 911. For suicidal thoughts or a mental health, suicide or substance-use crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline also provides an online chat through its official website. [1]
United Kingdom
For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 999 or go to A&E. In England, for urgent mental health help that is not an emergency, call 111 and select the mental health option. Arrangements outside England should be checked with the relevant national health service. [2]
Samaritans provides listening support on 116 123, free to call in the UK and Ireland. Listening support does not replace emergency medical care when someone is in immediate danger. [3]
European Union
Call 112 for emergency services within the European Union. When travelling elsewhere, confirm the emergency number and local route to urgent assessment for that destination. A touring colleague or hotel can help provide your exact location, but should not delay the emergency call. [4]
Suspected overdose or dangerous withdrawal
If someone is unresponsive, breathing abnormally or may have overdosed, contact emergency services immediately and follow their instructions. Do not assume the person simply needs to sleep. CDC provides guidance on recognising and responding to opioid overdose. [5]
Alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous. Abruptly stopping benzodiazepines can also cause serious reactions. A medical assessment is needed to establish an appropriate plan; a hotel room, tour bus or companion is not automatically a safe withdrawal setting. [6] [7]
What to tell responders
Give the person’s exact location and describe what you have observed. Share known substances or medication and relevant medical information accurately. Do not let fear of publicity prevent responders from receiving information needed for care.
Follow the dispatcher’s instructions and stay nearby when it is safe to do so. Do not attempt a long-distance transfer to a preferred private provider instead of obtaining necessary local assessment.
When the situation is not urgent
Use find support for clinical and industry routes. Managers and families can use the referral guide to plan a non-emergency next step. These resources are educational and cannot assess an individual’s immediate risk.
Emergency and crisis contact routes were rechecked against the linked official sources on 22 September 2026. Services can change; use current local emergency arrangements.
Sources and further reading
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: US crisis support
- NHS: urgent help for mental health
- Samaritans: contact a volunteer
- European Commission: the 112 emergency number
- CDC: preventing and recognising opioid overdose
- NIAAA: cutting down, quitting and withdrawal safety
- FDA: benzodiazepine dependence and withdrawal warning
A source-check date is not a clinical review. Service details can change.