If you're a student and concerned that you might harm yourself (e.g. considering suicide or having suicidal thoughts), you need to contact an emergency or crisis support service. 

If there is an emergency on campus, the best action is to report it to the university’s security team at these emergency contact numbers:

  • Denmark Hill West – 020 7848 5555

  • Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience – 020 7848 0001

  • Guy’s, Strand & Waterloo Campuses – 020 7848 8661

  • NHS Trust Buildings – 020 7188 3333

  • Bush House – 0207 848 8661 or 8662

 

 
Further contact details for security at each campus

For more details on contacts for day to day campus and residence operations activities, an identified risk concern or for out-of-hours emergency maintenance assistance, current students and staff can access this through our internal website at Security - Contact Us.

Emergency support
 

If you feel like you can't keep yourself safe and you are in immediate danger of harming yourself or attempting to take your life:

 

 
If you need urgent mental health support

  • Contact your GP surgery to request an emergency appointment (some GP surgeries are currently offering phone appointments only)

  • If your GP surgery is not open, call the free NHS medical line on 111 for help accessing the right services

  • You can call the Samaritans on 116 123 to talk to someone at any time, day or night, 24/7

  • You can text Shout on 85258

  • You can download Stay Alive app, an app for those at risk of suicide and those worried about someone

  • If you're in London, you can contact The Listening Place for face-to-face support

 

 

If you’re having thoughts about wanting to die

If you’re having thoughts about wanting to die, it’s important you tell someone.

Help and support is available from a range of free services and helplines who can help you right now. There's no right or wrong way to talk about suicidal feelings – starting the conversation is what's important. For guidance on starting a conversation and what to do next, read our article Concerned about suicidal thoughts for yourself or someone else?

These services are open every day and can help you during this time:

  • You can text Shout on 85258

  • Call Papyrus UK's HopeLine

  • Call the Samaritans on 116 123
     

Important to know: The Counselling and Mental Health Support Service does not provide crisis support or out of hours support.

 

 

Advice for keeping safe in a crisis

  • Avoid using drugs and alcohol

  • Stay around family and friends or go to a safe place and call one of them

  • Make a safety plan that you can save on your phone and read during difficult moments (find an example safety plan on the Papyrus UK website).

  • Speak with your GP. Most surgeries will have emergency appointments especially in the morning

 

 

Advice for staff if a student is expressing suicidal thoughts 

If a student is reporting suicidal thoughts and intent to harm themselves but they have not acted on these thoughts or you are not sure if they have or will, call NHS 111 or the Samaritans 116 123 and they will contact the student to assess current need.

NHS 111 and the Samaritans can also call an ambulance on your behalf if needed.

  • NHS 111

  • Samaritans 116 123

You can also submit a Student of Concern referral, but this is not a crisis support service. Find out more by reading our article I have a serious concern and want help for a student.

 

 

Useful links for mental health crisis support

 

International resources:
 

 

 

Support for domestic and sexual violence 

If you're in immediate danger or seriously injured, contact the emergency services on 999 or the King’s Security Team.

Find information about the support available and links to resources and helplines in our articles:

 

 

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