If you are feeling out of control, suicidal, or as though you cannot keep yourself safe, then it is really important that you seek help urgently. Try to stay calm, and make sure to ask someone for help if you need it.
For emergency assistance, you should call 999 for the Emergency Services, or go to the Accident and Emergency department of your nearest hospital. The nearest A&E to the University is at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.
If this isn’t something that you feel you’re able to do, make sure that you tell someone about how you’re feeling as soon as possible. This might be a trusted friend, a family member, or someone else, but it’s important to reach out for help and ensure that you’re keeping yourself safe.
If you do not feel that you are at an immediate risk, the following resources offer further crisis support.
GP surgery / NHS walk-in service
If you have a GP, 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, please call the switchboard for Birmingham and Solihull’s Mental Health Trust on 0121 301 0000.
You can also attend your local NHS walk-in service. The nearest walk-in service to the University is Katie Road, Selly Oak.
You can also phone 111 for urgent support in a non life-threatening situation.
Forward Thinking Birmingham
Forward Thinking Birmingham have a 24-hour crisis team to provide urgent mental health support. Phone them on 0300 300 0099 to receive urgent support.
Samaritans
The Samaritans operate a confidential, free to call service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 to talk to someone, and you can also email them at jo@samaritans.org.
SANEline
SANEline, a national out-of-hours mental health helpline, offers specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, on 0300 304 7000 (open 16:30 to 22:30pm every day).
Papyrus Hopeline UK
The HOPELINE may be operating restricted hours due COVID-19.
Papyrus HOPELINE UK is a confidential telephone service staffed by trained professionals, and offers non-judgemental support, practical advice and information to young people who are worried about how they’re feeling. Advisors are available 9am – 10pm weekdays and 2pm – 10pm weekends, and are available over the phone at 0800 068 4141, through email at pat@papyrus-uk.org, or via text message at 07786209697.
University Security
The University Security Services work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, and you can call them on 0121 414 4444. They can provide assistance in an emergency, and can also help in urgent but non-life threatening situations on campus and on university owned accommodation.
Check-in Service
The check-in service is suspended due to restricted campus opening.
The check-in service is run by the University of Birmingham’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, and is available to all students at the university, regardless of whether you have used any of our support services previously. The 30 minute slots provide you with the opportunity to talk to one of our psychological practitioners about your personal concerns, and to find out more about the further support and resources available to help you get the most out of your time at university.
If you are in an urgent situation, and are unsure which other resources may be the most appropriate, then the check-in service will be able to help refer you to the best source of support. However, as the check-in slots are always assigned on a first-come-first-served basis, they ought not to be your first port of call in an emergency situation.
If you are in an urgent and potentially life-threatening crisis, then you should always contact the emergency services.