Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Professionals Mental Health Support

Mental health crisis and suicide

What is a mental health crisis?

Someone might be in crisis if:

  • They are thinking of hurting themself or suicide seems the only option
  • They have made threats to hurt you or someone else.
  • They are experiencing extreme distress that seems overwhelming.

Who can help in a mental health crisis?

Call 111 and select the mental health option for the First Response Service - a 24-hour service for people in a mental health crisis. This service is for anyone, of any age, living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Specially-trained mental health staff will speak to you and discuss with you your mental health care needs – instead of you having to go to accident and emergency departments of local acute hospitals.

If you are over the age of 16 you can access the Sanctuary in Cambridge or Peterborough - People in crisis across the whole of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough will be able to access Sanctuary support. Staffed by mental health charity Mind in Cambridgeshire, the Sanctuary offers people practical and emotional support between 6pm and 1am and is accessible by referral from the First Response Service. You can watch a tour of the Cambridge Sanctuary by clicking here 

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Other support available:

Support for schools and colleges following the death of a young person by suspected suicide:

A coordinated multi-agency response will be initiated following the death of a young person (under the age of 18 years). This response is outlined in the 'Supporting Schools and Colleges in responding to suicides in teenagers: A multi-agency guide for practitioners' document (also available in Word format here).


Samaritans - In addition to local services, support can be offered via the Samaritans Step By Step programme which offers practical support and guidance in the aftermath of a suspected suicide. This service is free and can be accessed Online or phone: 0808 168 2528

In Cambridgeshire and Peterborough families who are affected by suicide will be offered support from the post-suicide bereavement service shortly after the death.

  • Help is at Hand booklet - Booklet giving practical support and guidance after someone may have died by suicide
  • Walk With Us toolkit - A toolkit for supporting Children, Young People and Families bereaved by suicide
  • On The Go - Online modules of suicide bereavement training, delivered by Suicide Bereavement UK

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