Urgent help

If you need urgent help

Please be aware that the Autism Education Trust and 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, such as the police.  

Telephone: 999 
Textphone users: 18000 

You can find out more about contacting the police here: POLICE UK

Urgent medical attention

If you or someone you know needs urgent medical attention, or is suicidal: 

  • Go to the Accident and Emergency (A&E) department of any hospital or make an emergency GP appointment
  • Call 999 if there is an immediate risk of harm
  • 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   
  • If you live in Northern Ireland, contact your trust’s GP out of hours service if medical advice is needed. 

Safeguarding concerns 

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” 

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) 

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

*Use your local Health and Social Care Trust name if you live in Northern Ireland.

Help with mental health issues

You can find the telephone number for your local urgent mental health helpline using the following links: 

Other helplines and listening services

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

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 Infoline

The Infoline is an information and signposting service. 

Saneline

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

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)

For anyone over the age of 15 who needs to talk (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.

Helplines Partnership

Helplines Partnership is the membership body for organisations that provide information, support or advice via phone, email, text or online.

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