International Crisis and Mental Health Support

Find urgent support where you are

Between Paths is based in the United Kingdom, but people visit this website from many parts of the world. Crisis services, emergency numbers and mental health systems vary by country, so choose the location that applies to you or to the person you are trying to help.

Between Paths is not a crisis service, and this page is not monitored for urgent messages. It cannot provide an immediate response. The organisations below are independent services, and their own websites explain who they support, how they use information and what contact options are currently available.

Choose your location

Do not rely on automatic location detection. You may be travelling, using a private connection or looking for support for somebody elsewhere.

United Kingdom Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand Europe Other countries

Emergency help and emotional support are not the same service

Emergency services are for situations involving immediate danger, serious injury or an urgent threat to life. Crisis and emotional-support lines provide a place to talk, text or chat when someone is struggling, frightened, overwhelmed or experiencing suicidal thoughts.

You do not have to decide that your situation is “bad enough” before contacting an emotional-support line. You can begin by saying that you do not know what to say, that you are finding it hard to cope, or that you are worried about somebody else.

What may happen when you contact a crisis line

Each service works differently, but crisis and emotional-support lines generally offer a conversation with a trained responder or volunteer. They may ask what has brought you to the service, whether you are in immediate danger and what might help you remain safe for the next few hours.

You do not need a polished explanation. You can say, “I do not know how to explain this,” “I am frightened by what I might do,” “I need somebody to stay with me while this feeling passes,” or “I am worried about somebody else.”

Confidentiality, emergency intervention and information-sharing policies vary. Read the service’s official information when you can, particularly if privacy is a concern.

When you are worried about somebody else

You can contact many crisis services because you are concerned about another person. Explain what you have noticed, what the person has said, whether they have access to a means of harm and whether you believe the danger is immediate.

If there is an immediate threat to life, contact emergency services rather than waiting for the person to agree that help is needed. Where the situation is not immediate, listen without arguing, take suicidal language seriously and help the person contact an appropriate service themselves where possible.

Check the service before relying on it

Numbers, opening hours, geographic coverage and text or chat arrangements can change. The links on this page lead to official service websites wherever possible. Check the relevant service page for its latest information, especially when contacting from another country, using a roaming phone or looking for support in a particular language.

Information checked: 16 July 2026.

Other support on Between Paths

When the situation is not an immediate crisis, these sections may help you consider other forms of support or find somewhere to begin.

Browse Between Paths resources Therapy safety and choosing support When journalling brings up too much Find your starting point

Between Paths provides reflective and educational information. It is not an emergency, medical or crisis-response service, and it cannot assess your immediate safety through this website.