If you're struggling right now, you don't have to wait for an appointment or work out who to call. These services are free, and most of them are open day and night.
If someone's life is at risk, for example they've seriously hurt themselves or taken an overdose, or you don't feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe, call 999 or go to A&E now.
Urgent Mental Health Help: NHS 111
In Lincolnshire, urgent mental health help is reached by calling NHS 111 and choosing the mental health option. It's open 24 hours a day, every day, and it's for all ages, including children and young people.
Your call is answered by a trained mental health professional who will listen, give advice over the phone and work out the best way to support you. You can call for yourself, or someone can call on your behalf, such as a friend, family member, carer or your GP. If you're deaf or have hearing loss, you'll be offered an interpreter.
The mental health option can't prescribe medication (that's the physical health option on 111), visit you at home or arrange a hospital admission. Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust explains more on its need help now page.
If You'd Rather Text
Lincolnshire's NHS crisis text line lets you message trained healthcare professionals at any time, from any mobile, and you can stay anonymous if you want to.
- Adults (18 and over): 07312 263027
- Children and young people (under 18): 07480 635303
The team aims to reply within two hours, so if you're in immediate danger, call 999 instead.
Shout is a free, confidential text service, open 24/7. Text SHOUT to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained volunteer. Find out more at giveusashout.org.
Someone to Listen
Samaritans are there to listen, whatever you're going through. Call 116 123, free from any phone, any time of day or night. See samaritans.org.
On Monday evenings, the Night Light Café at the Trinity Centre in Louth offers a calm place to talk to trained volunteers, from 5pm to 8pm. It isn't a crisis service, but it's somewhere to go when daytime services have closed. There's more about it in Somewhere to talk.
Children and Young People
Lincolnshire Here4You is a 24-hour advice line for children and young people, and for parents and carers who are worried about them. Call 0800 234 6342 for advice, or to refer to local emotional wellbeing and mental health services.
Childline is free for anyone under 19 on 0800 1111, and the number won't show on your phone bill. See childline.org.uk.
NHS 111's mental health option and the under-18 text line above are open to young people too.
Farming and Rural Communities
The Lincolnshire Rural Support Network offers confidential support to people in farming, horticulture and related work, and their families, through stressful and difficult times. Its helpline, 0800 138 1710, is open 8am to 8pm every day. See lrsn.co.uk.
If You Already Use Mental Health Services
If you're under the care of a mental health team, or you care for someone who is, your first contact during office hours should be the person you usually see, such as your care coordinator. Outside office hours, a local crisis team can help, or call NHS 111 and choose the mental health option.
Details checked 23rd October 2026.