In this section

Other sources of help

Mental health crisis

If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment. You can Get help from 111 online or call 111 and select the mental health option (option 2). 111 will tell you the right place to get help. You may also be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone.

You can also ask to see someone at the Accident and Emergency department of your nearest hospital. Information about your local A&E services can be found on the NHS 'Find Accident and Emergency Services' page.

Call 999 if you need help straight away.

Other urgent out of hours mental health support:

The Listening Place - provides free, face-to-face support across London for individuals to talk openly about their suicidal feelings without being judged or being given advice. They are open every day of the year from 9.00am – 9.00pm and will meet you at one of their three locations near Hammersmith, Victoria, or Kings Cross. Sessions are offered on a fortnightly basis and can last up to three months. You can access support via their referral form online.
The Cove - an NHS Service offering drop-in mental health support for anyone experiencing mental health distress. They are open every day of the year from 14:00 - 22:00 and can meet with you in-person, on the telephone or through online video sessions on Zoom. For the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Cove, call 07827 437081 or drop in to The Lighthouse, Dunbell Building, St Mary's Hospital, Praed Street, W2 1RL.
Samaritans - for people experiencing high levels of distress including suicidal feelings. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org, this service is 24 hours.
Nightline - offer a confidential listening support and practical information service via instant messaging for students in London. They are open from 18:00 - 02:00 every night of term. Click the 'chat with us now' button on their website.
Shout crisis text service - offers a 24 hour text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.
HOPElineUK - a confidential support and advice service for young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned a young person may be having thoughts of suicide. Call 0800 068 4141, Text 07860039967, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Imperial College Health Centre - doctors surgery nearest to South Kensington Campus. Call 020 7584 6301 or email imperialcollege.hc@nhs.net

Medical help

South Kensington Campus

Imperial College Health Centre have a duty doctor telephone clinic, which runs Monday - Friday between 8:30 - 10:30 and 14:00 - 16:00, for more urgent medical problems. Please contact the Health Centre directly on +44 (0)20 7584 6301.

Silwood Park

Contact Kings Corner Surgery on +44 (0)1344 623 181.

Hammersmith Campus

Students currently need to register with a GP local to their residential address at this campus. Students can obtain advice on how to do so from their local pharmacy or NHS Choices or from reception at the Imperial College Health Centre.

For non-urgent situations Call 111 and speak to a highly trained NHS adviser, supported by healthcare professionals. They will ask you a series of questions to assess your symptoms and immediately direct you to the best medical care for you.

Find more information about support available on the Student Support Zone pages.

External Counselling and Psychotherapy
External Support Services

External Counselling and Psychotherapy

The following organisations offer low cost counselling in the London areas:

Balham Community Counselling: +44 (0)20 8673 4422

Ealing Abbey Counselling Service:+44 (0)20 8862 2164

FreshStart Psychotherapy: +44 (0)20 7691 7638

Highgate Counselling Centre: +44 (0)20 8883 5427

Metanoia Counselling and Psychotherapy service: +44 (0)20 8832 3080

The Koan Practice 'Koan RC Counselling': +44 (0)7305 056625

Waterloo Community Counselling: +44 (0)20 7928 3462

West London Centre for Counselling: +44 (0)20 8563 2159

Wimbledon Guild Counselling: + 44 (0)20 8296 0030

Private Therapy

The following organisation websites have links to help you find a private therapist:

Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy

British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy

British Psychological Society

UK Council for Psychotherapy

External Support Services

Samaritans

24 hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress - you can drop into your local branch to meet with a Samaritans volunteer face to face.
The Samaritans can be contacted by telephoneon 116 123 or by email jo@samaritans.org

Central London Samaritans are located at 46 Marshall Street, London, W1F 9BF and can be contacted by telephone on +44 (0)20- 7734 2800

Find your nearest branch of the Samaritans.

London Nightline

A telephone helpline offering confidential listening, support and information to students in London. It is run by students of affiliated higher education institutions in the London area. Open every night of term from 18.00 to 8.00.

Nightline can be contacted by telephone on +44 (0)20- 7631 0101 or by email listening@nightline.org.uk

Nightline offers support through instant messaging, text, email or by telephone

Maytree

Maytree is a registered charity supporting people in suicidal crisis in a non-medical setting. Telephone: +44 (0)20 7263 7070 or email maytree@maytree.org.uk

HOPELineUK

HOPELineUK is a confidential support and advice service for young people under the age of 35 who may be having thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned a young person may be having thoughts of suicide.

The Havens

The Havens are specialist centres in London for people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Telephone: +44 (0)20 3299 6900– 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Students Against Depression

Students Against Depression is a website offering advice, information, guidance and resources to those affected by low mood, depression and suicidal thinking. Alongside clinically-validated information and resources it presents the experiences, strategies and advice of students.