Need help in a mental health crisis or emergency?
If you are a KMPT patient and need urgent help
If you under the care of a Community Mental Health Team (CMHT), contact your team Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm.
If you are under the care of one of our Home Treatment Teams (HTT), you can contact your team between 8am and 9pm, 7 days a week.
Outside of those hours, contact Kent and Medway Mental Health Crisis Line by calling 111 Option 2
If a patient is not open to KMPT services, they should contact Kent and Medway Mental Health Crisis Line by calling 111 Option 2.
If you are not being treated by KMPT and need urgent help
Dial 111 and then press option 2, from here you will be put in contact with a trained mental health professional. Do not call this number if you require emergency medication or medication advice. Contact your GP, or call 111 and press option 1 for these queries.
If you, or someone you know, is deaf or hearing impaired
You can contact KMPT using the free national Relay UK service. Details or this service can be found via their website at https://www.relayuk.bt.com/about-relay-uk.html
Alternatively, you can contact NHS 111 via the Relay UK app or using a text phone. Dial 18001 111.
In a life-threatening emergency, you can contact 999 via the Relay UK app or using a text phone. Dial 18000.
In life-threatening emergency please dial 999.
Further information and support
Help and support available online https://111.nhs.uk/
Email jo@samaritans.org or phone 116 123. Click here to visit the Samaritans website
Call 0800 107 0160 for 24 hour phone support from compassionate helpline staff, trained in counselling skills.
This service is provided by Mental Health Matters and you can visit their website for more information.
Visit https://www.mhm.org.uk/
Safe Havens offer face to face mental health support for those living in Kent and Medway. The havens are there to offer mental health and wellbeing support. The havens have an open door policy for anyone needing help who is known or not known to mental health services. All attendees will receive face to face support and an assessment of their needs.
Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway and Thanet safe havens run by Mental Health matters are available between 6pm-11pm, 365 days a year for those who are 16+. No appointment or referral needed. Anyone who lives in Kent or Medway can use the service regardless of where you live.
Visiting the safe havens
Canterbury
- Email Canterbury.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Age UK, The Centre, Castle Row, Canterbury, CT1 2QY
- Call:07876 476 703 or 07483 163 953
Maidstone
- Email Maidstone.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Kestrel House, Knightrider Street, ME15 6LU
- Call:01622 809 945, 07484 061684, 07816 362606
Medway
- Email Medway.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Medway Maritime Hospital, Windmill Road, Gillingham, ME7 5NY
- Call: 07850 901 151 or 07808 795 036
Thanet
- Email Thanet.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Thanet Safe Haven, Holy Trinity Church, St Mary’s Avenue, Dane Valley, Margate, CT9 3TN
- Call: Call: 07850 655 877
Further information can be found here: Kent and Medway Safe Havens | Mental Health Matters (mhm.org.uk)
Folkestone and Hythe
Hestia offers an open access walk in service for residents of Folkestone and Hythe who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Folkestone Haven is open from 6pm – 11pm weekdays and 12pm – 11pm weekends and Bank Holidays, 365 days a year for anyone aged 16+.
Contact the Folkestone haven:
- Email Folkestone.haven@hestia.org
- Facebook message @hestiafolkestonehaven
- Visit: Rainbow Centre, 69 Sandgate Rd, Folkestone CT20 2AF
Live Well Kent can support you with:
- Managing your money, including debt and benefits
- Housing support and guidance
- Improving your relationships
- Accessing counselling.
- Basic advice on healthy living and helping you set some goals to make positive lifestyle changes
- Supporting you to access a range of free resources including apps and things that are happening in your local community
- Putting you in touch with support to help you quit smoking, lose weight reduce your drinking or drugs intake and look after your sexual health.
- Volunteering
- Community projects
- Arts, music, culture or sporting groups
- Finding IAPT psychological therapies in your area
You can contact Live Well Kent by phoning 0800 567 7699 or visiting https://livewellkent.org.uk/
Visit the NHS website here to find IAPT psychological therapies in Kent and Medway. You can also search for IAPT psychological therapies in your area by clicking here to visit Live Well Kent
A 24 hour helpline has been set up to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.
Text "Kent" to 85258 for 24 hour mental health crisis support via text from trained volunteers.
This service is provided by SHOUT and you can visit their website here https://www.giveusashout.org/
The nearest relative (carer or loved one) has the legal right to request a mental health assessment for their loved one, to decide if they need help from mental health services.
This is an important legal safeguard to help those who may lack the understanding or capacity for the need of help and support to help keep them safe.
Nearest relatives rights from Mind
Download: Nearest relative fact sheet from Rethink Mental Illness
Kent and Medway's Veterans’ High Intensity Service (HIS) provides care and treatment for former armed forces personnel (veterans) and their loved ones who are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help. The service works in collaboration with other services and will also help people who struggle to engage with services.
Visit our Veterans Mental Health High Intensity Service page for more information.
Tel: 0808 801 0525
Open 9:30am - 4:30pm (Excluding Bank Holidays)
Tel: 0300 3047000
Open 4:30pm – 10:30pm
