Chest, heart or breathing

Chest pain, pressure, trouble breathing, fainting, bluish lips/face, severe weakness, or a pounding/irregular heartbeat.

Stroke signs

Face drooping, arm weakness, speech changes, severe sudden headache, confusion, or sudden vision/balance problems.

Severe bleeding or injury

Heavy bleeding, deep wounds, serious injury, head injury, broken bones, burns, or injury after a fall/accident.

High fever or infection

High fever, chills, rash, confusion, severe pain, dehydration, or symptoms that are rapidly worsening.

Severe pain or confusion

Sudden severe pain, confusion, trouble speaking, seizures, drowsiness, collapse, or feeling hard to wake.

Allergic reactions

Swelling of face/throat/tongue, wheezing, hives, dizziness, vomiting, or trouble breathing after food, medication, sting, or exposure.

1. Call urgent help if needed

• Call emergency services if symptoms are life-threatening.
• Go to the nearest emergency department or urgent care if needed.
• Ask someone you trust to help you call, travel, or explain symptoms.

2. Share key information

• What symptoms started and when.
• Medications, allergies, conditions, pregnancy, disability, or recent injury.
• What has already been taken, eaten, used, or tried.

3. Stay safer while waiting

• Sit or lie somewhere safe.
• Do not drive yourself if you feel faint, confused, unwell, or unsafe.
• Keep your phone, charger, ID, medication, and support person nearby if possible.

Medication or poisoning concerns

If someone has taken too much medication, mixed substances, swallowed something unsafe, or may be poisoned, contact emergency services or poison advice urgently.

Pregnancy or reproductive health

Seek urgent help for severe pain, heavy bleeding, fainting, fever, reduced movement in pregnancy, or any symptom that feels unsafe.

Diabetes, seizures or neurological symptoms

Urgent help may be needed for seizures, very low/high blood sugar symptoms, confusion, collapse, severe headache, weakness, or sudden changes.

When a flare becomes urgent

• Symptoms are much worse than usual
• You cannot keep fluids, food, or medication down
• Pain, fatigue, dizziness, breathing, or mobility issues feel unsafe
• You cannot access needed medication, equipment, or care

Ask for access needs

You can ask for quiet space, mobility access, interpreter support, communication support, support person access, extra processing time, or help explaining symptoms.

Useful things to bring

Medication list, allergy list, diagnosis/condition list, medical devices, charger, emergency contact, access needs note, and any recent test results if available.

Panic or health anxiety

Panic can feel physical and frightening. It is still okay to seek medical advice if symptoms are new, severe, or you are unsure.

Eating disorder medical risk

Restriction, purging, laxatives, dehydration, fainting, chest pain, or weakness can become medically urgent. Get help early.

Self-harm or suicide risk

If injuries, overdose, self-harm, or suicidal thoughts are involved, use emergency services or crisis support now.

New Zealand / Aotearoa

• Emergency: 111
• Healthline: 0800 611 116
• Poison Centre: 0800 764 766
• 1737: call/text 1737 for emotional support

Australia

• Emergency: 000
• Healthdirect: 1800 022 222
• Poisons Information: 13 11 26
• Lifeline: 13 11 14

United States

• Emergency: 911
• Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222
• 988 Lifeline: call, text, or chat 988
• Local urgent care / emergency department

Canada

• Emergency: 911
• 9-8-8 Canada: call or text
• 811: health advice in many provinces/territories
• Poison centres: check your province/territory

United Kingdom

• Emergency: 999 or 112
• NHS 111: urgent health advice
• Samaritans: 116 123
• Local A&E / urgent treatment centre

International / Global

• Find a Helpline: search by country and topic
• Red Cross / Red Crescent: local emergency support where available
• Local hospitals, clinics, emergency departments, poison centres, and health ministries

Text or chat support

Text and webchat can help when speaking is difficult, unsafe, or overwhelming.

Communication access

For AAC, typing, writing, interpreters, plain language, yes/no answers, or extra processing time.

Accessibility-specific crisis support

For disability, neurodivergent, sensory, language, cultural, digital, privacy, or access barriers.

Crisis Support by Topic

Explore all crisis topic support pathways.

Crisis Support by Location

Find emergency and crisis support by country or region.

Anxiety, Panic & Overwhelm

For panic, fear, health anxiety, and intense distress.

Eating Disorders Crisis Support

For urgent eating disorder concerns, restriction, purging, or medical warning signs.

Alcohol & Drug Crisis Support

For overdose, withdrawal, substance-related panic, or unsafe intoxication.

Text & Chat Crisis Support

For lower-pressure non-phone crisis support options.