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Urgent help

If you need urgent help

Please be aware that the National Autistic Society does not offer a crisis or emergency service. UK residents can access urgent help or support by contacting the services listed below.
 

Immediate risk or danger

If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services using the following details:

  • Call 999 immediately
  • Textphone users: 18000 or visit Relay UK 
  • You can find out more about contacting the police, their accessibility options and how to report historic crimes by visiting Police UK or calling their non-emergency line on 101.

Urgent medical attention

If you or someone you know needs urgent medical attention: 

  • Call 999 if there is an immediate risk of harm (this also includes risk of suicide)
  • Go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of any hospital or make an emergency GP appointment
  • If you live in England, Scotland, or Wales: call the NHS non-emergency line on 111 if medical advice is needed. You can also access advice online at NHS 111 online  or via the NHS App. 
  • If you live in Northern Ireland: contact your trust’s GP out of hours service.

Safeguarding and social care concerns 

To ensure you are using a trusted webpage, you can check that the web address ends in ‘.gov.uk’ (for local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales) or ‘.hscni.net’ (for trusts in Northern Ireland)

Abuse and neglect

Our charity does not have authority under UK legislation to investigate, assess or intervene in cases of abuse or neglect. 

If you or someone you know may be at risk of abuse or neglect, contact your local children or adult safeguarding services to report your concerns.  

You can find their contact details by typing into a search engine: “[your Local Authority/Trust name] [ adult/child] safeguarding team” 

If you are worried that a child may be at risk of harm, the NSPCC can offer support and advice. 

Social care

For social care support relating to your own care needs as an autistic person or as a carer for someone else, contact your local authority (council) or trust.  You can find their contact details by typing into a search engine: “[your Local Authority/Trust name] [ adult/child] social care” or “support for carers in [your local area]”.

 

Help with mental health issues 

If you need support with a mental health issue, you can find telephone numbers to for your local urgent mental health helpline below. 

You can also access this support using textphone services, British Sign Language video calls or a translator via the NHS 111 Accessibility Page. 

If you live in England or Wales: 

  • You can call 111 and then select Option 2 to speak with a mental health professional. 
  • You can also check your symptoms and seek guidance by visiting NHS 111 Online 

If you live in Scotland:

  • You can call 111 
  • You can visit the NHS Inform Scotland webpage to find information on local services.

If you live in Northern Ireland:

  • You can contact the Lifeline crisis helpline by calling 0808 808 8000. 
  • You can also find information on local services by visiting the Northern Ireland Direct webpage.

 

Other helplines and listening services

Please note: the services listed below are delivered by other charities/organisations. Information about each service, including their privacy policies, can be found on each of their websites. 

You can also find a list of other organisations and services that are specifically for, or have adapted their services to meet the needs of, autistic people and/or their families in our Autism Services Directory. 

Samaritans

If you are having a difficult time, you can contact Samaritans any time, day or night: 

Shout 85258

A free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope:

Mind Helplines

Mind is a mental health charity providing information, signposting and support services.

  • Visit the Mind Helplines Webpage (includes details on accessibility, call charges and an online chat option)
  • Call the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)  
  • Call the Mind Support Line on 0300 102 1234 (9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday)

Saneline

For anyone experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else (4pm to 10pm, every day of the year).

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

Suicide prevention helpline for anyone who needs to talk (helpline, online chat and Whatsapp contact available 5pm to midnight, every day)

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK

National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide.

C.A.L.L (Wales)

If you live in Wales, the Community Advice & Listening Line is available anytime. 

The National Domestic Abuse Helpline

If you, or someone you care about, is experiencing domestic abuse, you can contact The National Domestic Abuse Helpline to discuss your options. 

Helplines Partnership

Helplines Partnership is the membership body for organisations that provide information, support or advice via phone, email, text or online. You can find details of helplines providing support for many different issues via their websites.

Shelter

If you need urgent housing advice or support, you can contact Shelter for help

  • Visit the Shelter Website (all UK nations- includes online chat and Relay details) 
  • If you are in England or Scotland: call the helpline on 0808 800 4444 (8am - 6pm, Monday to Friday)
  • If you are in Wales: call the helpline on 08000 495 495 (9am – 4pm, Monday to Friday)
  • If you are in Northern Ireland: call the Housing Executive on 0344 8920 900 (or 0344 8920 908 outside of standard office hours)

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