A student in scrubs in our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care

If you need help right away, check out the key contacts provided here.

In an emergency

If it’s an emergency or there’s an immediate threat to you or someone else’s safety, call 999 without delay.

For urgent help, you’ll find important support contacts on this page. Taking care of your mental health is essential and just as important as your physical health. Asking for help shows strength, and you are never wasting anyone’s time.

 

If your life is at immediate risk

If you have harmed yourself or you are thinking about doing so now, please call 999, go to your nearest A&E or call your local crisis team if available. You can find your nearest A&E here -  Find an Accident and Emergency Service

Even if it’s hard to see right now, your life and wellbeing are really important. Please reach out and get support – you’re not alone.

 

In non – emergency situations

If you feel you are able to stay safe and would rather not call 999, please still seek urgent advice by:

  • Calling NHS 111 and selecting option 2. This is a 24/7 crisis helpline offering urgent mental health support.
  • Call your GP and book an emergency appointment to discuss your mental health.

Crisis Support 

Talking honestly to someone about how you are feeling can really help. Below is a list of services you can access in a crisis:

 

Samaritans – A 24-hour confidential listening service on 116 123.

 

Shout Crisis Messenger Service – A free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 crisis text support.

 

Papyrus – A 24-hour confidential support and advice service for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide. You can call them on 0800 068 4141.

 

Nightline – A free, anonymous listening and information service run by students, for students in London universities. Call on 116 123.

Crisis Cafés - Crisis cafes are local places you can go that offer immediate help if you are in distress or crisis. They are open evenings and weekends, just walk-in:

 

Newham Together Café: Stratford Advice Arcade, 107- 09 The Grove, London, E15 1HPT (Monday – Friday: 5pm to 9pm, Weekends and Bank Holidays, 3pm to 9pm)

 

Tower Hamlets Together Café: 86 Old Montague Street, Whitechapel, London, E1 5NN (Monday – Thursday: 5pm to 9pm, Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays: 12pm to 9pm)

 

City & Hackney Together Café: The Raybould Centre, City and Hackney Centre for Mental Health, London, E9 6SR (Monday – Friday 6pm – 9pm, 12pm – 4pm at weekends)

Other Non-Urgent Support

Consider registering for support with the Student Wellbeing Service by completing the self-referral form found here. You might also find these websites helpful:

 

NHS Talking Therapies – provides free talking therapy for anxiety and depression. You can self-refer to this service using this link – NHS Talking Therapies

 

Nafsiyat - provides individual and group therapy in over 20 languages for those living in the London Boroughs of Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington.  Their service is for individuals facing psychological and emotional challenges, especially those who encounter cultural or linguistic barriers when seeking help.

 

SupportLine – Confidential telephone helpline and web pages with support on the issue of suicide.

 

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) - they provide a helpline between 5pm-midnight via phone, live chat or WhatsApp

 

Students Against Depression – Student-focused advice and resources for those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking.

 

Wellbeing Cafés – offer weekly face-to-face sessions for residents of Waltham Forest aged 18 years or older who experience low mood, anxiety, loneliness, or social isolation. Click the link to refer yourself – Wellbeing Cafés

Getting help from the NHS

Health advice - NHS 111

Call 111 or visit 111.nhs.uk for free health advice. You can speak directly to NHS staff who can guide you, answer your questions and help you figure out the best service for your needs.

 

Illnesses and minor injuries

The A&E and Urgent Care Centre at Whipps Cross Hospital can help with minor illnesses and injuries.

They can offer treatment, advice and information for incidents like minor head and eye wounds, treating sprains, strains and breaks to arms, lower legs and feet.

If you live out of borough and need medical help, please call NHS 111 or click here to use NHS online to find your nearest walk-in clinic or to work out what you need to do next.

 

Calling an ambulance

If you or someone else has a serious or life-threatening injury or condition on campus, call 999. You'll be asked:

  1. The location, including the area or room in the building
  2. The phone number you're calling from
  3. What's happened?