When to call for emergency help

In a mental health crisis, it isn't always obvious when a situation has crossed the line into an emergency. Knowing the clear signs, in advance, can help you act quickly and confidently when it matters most.

What it is

Calling for emergency help means contacting emergency services, such as SAPS or an ambulance, when someone's life, health or safety - or someone else's - is at immediate risk. This is different from reaching out to a counsellor or helpline for ongoing support. Emergency help is for situations that cannot wait, where minutes matter. Many people hesitate in these moments, worried about overreacting or making things worse. It's important to know that acting on your concern, even if it turns out to be less serious than feared, is always the right call.

Signs to notice

Treat the situation as an emergency and get immediate help if you notice:

• Someone expressing a clear intent or plan to end their life, especially with access to the means to do so.
• A suicide attempt in progress or just occurred.
• Serious self-harm involving heavy bleeding, loss of consciousness, or injury that needs medical attention.
• Someone who is a danger to others, including threats or acts of violence during a crisis.
• Severe intoxication or overdose combined with distress or suicidal statements.
• Someone experiencing a mental health crisis who is unable to keep themselves safe, such as extreme confusion, psychosis, or complete inability to respond to their surroundings.

What helps

• Call SAPS on 10111 or an ambulance on 10177 without delay if there is immediate danger to life.
• Stay with the person, or ensure someone else does, until help arrives, if it's safe to do so.
• Remove or secure any obvious means of harm nearby, without confrontation, if you're able to do so safely.
• Give emergency responders clear, calm information: what's happening, whether there are weapons or means involved, and the exact location.
• If you are unsure whether a situation is a true emergency, call SADAG's Suicide Crisis Helpline for guidance rather than waiting to see what happens.
• Don't leave someone alone if you believe they are at immediate risk, even if they ask you to.

When to reach out for help

If in doubt, treat the situation seriously and act. It is always better to call for help unnecessarily than to hold back and regret it. Trust clear warning signs like explicit intent, a plan, access to means, or a suicide attempt as reasons to act immediately, not to wait and watch.

Getting help in South Africa

For an ongoing crisis, contact SADAG's Suicide Crisis Helpline (24 hours) on 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. For immediate danger to life, call SAPS on 10111 or ambulance services on 10177. Cleared Mind's EAP counsellors are also available to support you and your family through and after a crisis.

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If you or someone else is in immediate danger, reach out now. SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline (24h): 0800 567 567 or SMS 31393. SAPS 10111, ambulance 10177, GBV Command Centre 0800 428 428.