This content mentions suicide or suicidal thoughts, self-harm, depression and anxiety. Please read with care. There are details of where to find help at the bottom of this page.

 

If you’re currently experiencing a crisis, contact the emergency services or your local crisis team, or call 111 for advice.

 

Summary

 

• I need urgent help for my mental health
• Planning for a crisis
• What is the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat?

 

‘Crisis’ can describe many different situations. With mental health, it means a time when you need urgent help. You might be extremely anxious and have panic attacks. You could be self-harming or thinking of suicide. You may have felt this way before and know where to get help, or it could be the first time you’ve felt this way.

 

Crisis care can take many different forms – calling a helpline, going to A&E, or making an emergency doctor’s appointment. Different things might work for you at different times.

 

The important thing to know is help is available. You won’t be wasting anyone’s time if you ask for support.

 

I need urgent help for my mental health

 

There are different types of crisis support available depending on what you need. You could:

 

call 999 or go to your local A&E if you’ve tried to hurt yourself or think you might act on suicidal thoughts

make an emergency appointment with your doctor or call 111 for advice if you’re not in immediate danger

contact your local crisis team if a community mental health team is already supporting you

call an NHS urgent mental health helpline for advice and support (England only)

be admitted to a hospital if you need intensive support or if there’s a risk you could hurt yourself or someone else. Ask your doctor or another healthcare professional to refer you if you think you need to go to a hospital or stay in a crisis house. They offer intensive short-term help as an alternative to going into a hospital or following a hospital stay.

Mind has more information about crisis houses.

tell someone you trust like a partner or friend. If you’re not sure what to do or need support to get help

call a helpline to talk about your feelings with a trained listener

Sometimes you might not be well enough to make decisions about your treatment. If your health or safety is at risk, or if other people might be harmed if you’re not given treatment, you may be detained under the Mental Health Act and taken to a hospital. This is also called being ‘sectioned’. Mind has more information about what this means.

 

Planning for a crisis

 

If you’ve been in a crisis or had suicidal thoughts, it can help you plan ahead. This way, you can know how to get help quickly, and others can know the best ways to help you.

 

If you have suicidal thoughts, a safety plan can help you remember ways to cope and people to contact. In a crisis, follow the plan one step at a time until you feel safe again. You can download a safety plan here or use the Stay Alive app.

 

If there are times you can’t make or communicate decisions for yourself, you could create an advance statement. This lets people know how you’d like to be treated. It can help friends, family, and medical professionals make decisions on your behalf.

 

You could also make a crisis card, a small document you can carry in your pocket or wallet explaining what to do and who to contact if you’re unable to communicate.

 

What is the Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat?

 

The Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat is an agreement between services and agencies that support and care for people in crisis. It shows how they can work together better to make sure people get the help they need.

 

It focuses on four main areas:

 

• access to support before a crisis: making sure you can get help 24 hours a day and that you’re taken seriously
• urgent and emergency access to crisis care: so a mental health crisis is treated with the same urgency as a physical health emergency
• quality of treatment and care when in crisis: meaning you’re treated with dignity and respect
• recovery and staying well: preventing future crises by referring you to services that can help

 

Useful resources

 

In Kenya, there are several organizations and resources that offer help for suicide prevention, self-harm, depression, and anxiety. Here are some options:

 

Befrienders Kenya

This organization provides confidential support for people experiencing distress or suicidal thoughts. They offer a helpline, counseling, and other forms of support.

 

Hotline: +254 722 178177 / +254 733 620622

Website: Befrienders Kenya

Kenya Red Cross Psychosocial Support Services

The Kenya Red Cross provides counseling and mental health services, particularly in emergencies, but they also support general mental health concerns.

 

Hotline: 1199 (free)

Chiromo Mental Health Hospital

This is one of the leading mental health facilities in Nairobi. They provide inpatient and outpatient services for various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention.

 

Phone: +254 723 286 853 / +254 738 222 003

Website: Chiromo Mental Health Hospital

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) Psychiatric Clinic

KNH has a well-established psychiatric unit that offers services for mental health issues including suicide, depression, and anxiety.

 

Phone: +254 709 854000 / +254 111 031000

Therapists and Psychologists in Kenya

You can find professional psychologists and counselors through platforms like TherapyRoute or Soma Nami for online and in-person therapy.

 

TherapyRoute: Find a Therapist in Kenya

Soma Nami: Soma Nami Therapy Services

Red Cross Safe Spaces and Orphanages (Kibera) If you are in the Kibera area, the Red Cross and local institutions like those run by Christine Amondi offer mental health support and safe spaces for vulnerable individuals.

 

Online Resources & Helplines

 

Kenya Mental Health Alliance: +254 722 178177

Mental 360 Kenya: They offer free or low-cost mental health support and suicide prevention services. Visit Mental 360 or call +254 729 891 391.