Urgent support

• University security
• Contacting the emergency services
• Urgent mental health support

University Security

The University Security Services work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year. You can call them on 0121 414 4444. They provide assistance in an emergency as well as help in urgent but non-life threatening situations. In case of an emergency always dial 999 first.

University Security Services can:

• Provide first aid on campus.
• Attend on campus if there are suspicious persons or behaviour, to challenge and investigate the situation.
• Provide assistance if you feel vulnerable or unsafe on campus. For example, if you think you are being followed.

Contacting the emergency services

If you need to contact the emergency services (Police, Ambulance or Fire Service) please dial 999 and ask for the relevant service.

Examples of why you may need to contact the emergency services:

• Witness or victim to a crime in progress requiring the police to attend.  
• Witness or victim to a serious injury requiring an ambulance.
• Witness or victim to a fire requiring the fire service to attend.
• Feeling like you or someone else cannot keep yourself/themself safe from harm

If an incident like this occurs on campus please contact the University Security Services (0121 414 4444) as well as dialling 999. Security will assist with such incidents, such as applying temporary first aid, deterring an offender or providing support. They will also liaise with the emergency services to ensure they can access campus as quickly as possible.

Urgent mental health support

If you feel you need urgent support with your mental health, here is some useful advice:

In the first instance:

• If you have a GP, please contact them and ask for an emergency appointment. If they are not open they should have an out-of-hours number you can call.
• If you do not have a GP, you can find your local walk in clinic or register with your local GP. The nearest walk-in service to the University is Katie Road, Selly Oak.
• If you believe you are unable to keep yourself safe you can attend your local A and E for immediate crisis support or call 999. The nearest A&E to the University is at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
• You can find your local NHS Urgent mental health helpline who can offer 24 hour advice, support and assessment for you or someone you are worried about.
• You can find local mental health services who provide support in your area.

If you are resident in Birmingham:

Under 25 – Contact Forward Thinking Birmingham for 24/7 urgent help

Over 25 - Birmingham and Solihull mental health helpline available 24/7  

Alternatively you can:

• Contact our UBHeard our Mental Health support line. Call the service on 0800 3685819 (Freephone) or text ‘Hi’ to 0035387 369 0010 for SMS & WhatsApp Support (standard rates apply). The available to use to all registered University of Birmingham students.
• Call 111 for free urgent care advice in situations that are not life-threatening.
• Call the Samaritans on 116 123. They operate a confidential, free to call service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• Call SANEline a national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, on 0300 304 7000 (open 16:30 to 22:30pm every day).
• Text SHOUT to 85258 (24/7 text service), if you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support. 

Always call 999 if someone is seriously ill or injured, and their life is at risk.

For further information about seeking urgent support please visit Birmingham and Solihull’s Mental Health Trust’s webpage about what to do in an emergency.