Mental Health Emergency Contacts
Use this page to decide whether a situation can safely wait for a scheduled session and to find emergency or crisis support in South Africa.
SOUTH AFRICA ONLY
Is anyone in immediate danger?
If immediate action may be needed to prevent serious harm, call now.
Why NOT Headroom for an emergency?
Headroom connects you with mental health professionals for sessions you book in advance. Because those sessions are scheduled and aren't monitored in real time, Headroom can't provide the immediate response an emergency needs. The services on this page can - they are staffed for exactly this, many of them 24 hours a day.
Headroom provides emergency-response services only through selected bespoke corporate programmes, through the dedicated access channels and response protocols communicated to eligible programme participants.
Is this an emergency?
A simple way to tell which kind of help you need right now.
USE THE CONTACTS BELOW - NOT HEADROOM - IF:
- Someone has harmed themselves, or is about to.
- There are thoughts of suicide with a plan or intent to act.
- Someone is at risk of harming another person.
- There is a medical crisis – an overdose, a serious injury, or someone is unresponsive.
- Someone is in immediate danger from another person.
HEADROOM MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU IF:
- You are struggling, distressed, or want support.
- You feel safe right now.
- You can wait for a session booked with a professional.
If you’re safe and can wait, we’re here for you.
Find a professional on headroom.co.za.
SOUTH AFRICA ONLY
Emergency contacts for South Africa
If immediate action may be needed to prevent serious harm, call now.
| Immediate emergency assistance | |
|---|---|
| 112 |
Mobile emergency Routes the caller to the relevant emergency service. |
| 10177 |
Ambulance National emergency medical care. |
| 10111 |
South African Police Service Immediate danger, violence or crime. |
| 082 911 |
Netcare 911 Private emergency medical response. |
| 084 124 |
ER24 Private emergency medical response. |
| Violence, abuse or the safety of a child | |
|---|---|
| 116 |
Childline South Africa 24/7 and free from all networks, for children and adults concerned about a child. |
| 0800 428 428 |
Gender-Based Violence Command Centre Support, counselling and referral for gender-based violence. Please Call Me: *120*7867# | SMS "help" to 31531 |
| 0800 150 150 |
Stop Gender Violence Helpline Toll-free support for gender-based violence. |
Headroom does not operate or control the public emergency and crisis services listed above. Their availability and contact details may change. Contact details checked against the operators’ or government websites on 20 July 2026.
| Mental health crisis and specialist support | |
|---|---|
| 0800 567 567 |
SADAG Suicide Crisis Helpline 24-hour, toll-free suicide crisis support. |
| 0861 435 787 |
Netcare Akeso Crisis Line 24-hour support for mental health emergencies and crises. |
| 0861 322 322 |
LifeLine South Africa National Counselling Line National trauma and crisis counselling. |
| 0800 121 314 |
Department of Social Development Substance Abuse Helpline 24-hour substance-use support and referral. SMS: 32312 |
| 0800 456 789 |
Cipla Mental Health Helpline 24-hour, toll-free mental health support. SMS: 31393 |
| 0800 212 223 |
Dr Reddy's Mental Health Helpline Toll-free support, 08:00-20:00. |
| 0800 708 090 |
Adcock Ingram Depression & Anxiety Helpline Toll-free support, 08:00-20:00. |
| 0800 554 433 |
ADHD Helpline Toll-free ADHD information and support, 08:00-20:00. |
| 0800 205 026 |
Pharma Dynamics Police & Trauma Helpline Toll-free trauma support, 08:00-20:00. |
BASED ELSEWHERE
Not in South Africa?
The numbers above only work within South Africa. To find crisis support wherever you are:
- Dial your local emergency number — 112 works across the EU and much of the world.
- Search online for “suicide crisis line” or “emergency mental health” together with your country’s name.
- Visit findahelpline.com — a verified directory of free crisis lines in more than 175 countries.
- Visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention directory at
https://www.iasp.info/crisis-centres-helplines/
Safe now, but need guidance?
If there is no immediate safety risk and you can safely wait for a scheduled appointment, a Headroom Guidance Session can help you understand which support may suit your needs, preferences and budget.
Scheduled service – not emergency response