Need urgent help
We are not an emergency service.
Southdown does not run a 24-hour helpline and cannot provide immediate medical or crisis response. If you need emergency care, please contact one of the services below.
Is there a risk to life?
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, has taken an overdose, or has a life-threatening injury:
Mental health crisis
Are you experiencing a mental health crisis?
If you need urgent support with your mental health, or you are caring for someone who does.
Sussex Mental Healthline
Samaritans
Shout Crisis Text Line
Prefer to text? Support for anyone in crisis.
Housing & homelessness
Do you have nowhere to sleep tonight?
Southdown cannot allocate emergency housing directly. You must contact your local council.
Contact your local council
During office hours: Contact the Housing Options Team at your local council immediately.
Out of hours (evenings and weekends): Search for “Emergency Duty Team [Your Council Name]” online. Most councils have an out-of-hours emergency social services number.
Sleeping rough?
If you are on the streets, or worried about someone who is:
Contact StreetLinkThis alerts local outreach teams to the location.
Learning disability & autism
Support for people with a learning disability
Advice, support, and emergency help tailored to your needs.
Mencap Helpline
Advice and support for people with a learning disability, and their families. Open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Challenging Behaviour Foundation
Support for families caring for someone with severe learning disabilities.
Emergency medical help
If you cannot explain your symptoms or how you feel, showing a Health Passport to NHS 111 or A&E staff can help them understand your needs.
If you need urgent medical help but it is not a 999 emergency, call NHS 111.
Domestic abuse
Do you feel unsafe at home?
If you are experiencing domestic abuse or violence.
Looking for general contact information?
Find our office addresses, phone numbers, and how to get in touch.
You might also need
Dive deeper into how we work, who leads us, and how we perform.