The direct answer
Immediate danger needs emergency help. Call 112 or 999, or go to the nearest emergency department. Stay with the person if it is safe, reduce access to obvious means of harm and speak plainly about the need for help. This page is signposting, not crisis counselling. [1]
If there is immediate danger
Tell the emergency call taker what is happening, where the person is and whether there has been injury, overdose or access to a weapon. Follow their instructions. Do not leave the person alone if you can remain safely. Do not promise secrecy about an immediate risk to life. [1]
Urgent support without immediate danger
Contact a GP or GP out-of-hours service for urgent clinical assessment. The HSE Your Mental Health information line can explain services, but it is not a counselling service. Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 for confidential emotional support. [2]
Support the next step
Use direct, calm language. Ask whether the person is thinking about suicide and listen without arguing. Help them contact a professional or trusted person. After the immediate crisis, clinical follow-up still matters, even if the person feels calmer. [3]
What to do now
- Call 112 or 999 for immediate danger.
- Use a GP or out-of-hours GP for urgent assessment.
- Call Samaritans on 116 123 for emotional support.
- Check every contact route against the HSE before publication.
Primary sources
Claims and service details were checked against these official sources on 2026-07-11. Follow the source for the latest operational detail.
- Health Service Executive: Urgent help for mental health Accessed 2026-07-11
- Health Service Executive: Your Mental Health information line Accessed 2026-07-11
- Samaritans Ireland: Contact Samaritans Accessed 2026-07-11
Keep reading
Editorial note
Publisher: Around.ie Editorial. This page provides general information, not individual professional advice. Material changes trigger an earlier review. Corrections create a new reviewed version.