Getting support now
Emergency services:
If there is immediate danger, call 999 immediately and ask for ambulance/police/fire/coastguard.
On-campus emergency:
Campus Security staff are on duty 24 hours per day, 365 days per year and can always be contacted on their emergency number: 01227 823333
Urgent help from Student Support and Wellbeing
If you feel you need urgent support from our team, Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00, contact us and ask for urgent mental health support:
Canterbury campus
- Phone 01227 823158
- Email KentSSW@kent.ac.uk
Medway campus
- Phone 01634 888474
- Email MedwaySSW@kent.ac.uk
24/7 online support
University of Kent students can access free, 24/7 online mental health and wellbeing support via partner organisation Togetherall.
24/7 phone, text and Whatsapp support
Our partner organisation Spectrum Life can offer you online, text and telephone support from qualified counsellors and mental health professionals.
Health services
Find out about health services (including drop-in and urgent care) accessible from Canterbury or Medway. This includes information on the University Nursing Service, University Medical Centre, and local hospitals.
NHS 111
Not sure if you need medical help? Dial 111 when you need medical help right now but it’s not a life-threatening 999 emergency. There is also an online NHS 111 service.
Mental health support
These external organisations offer urgent mental health support.
NHS helpline
For mental health support, including in a crisis, you can contact the UK numbers below to reach Urgent Mental Health Helpline, an NHS service run by trained professionals: 24/7 Contact Centre – 0800 783 9111
Samaritans
If you're having a difficult time and want to talk to someone, you can call the Samaritans free on 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org.
Canterbury: Samaritans Canterbury, 32 Northgate, Canterbury, Kent, CT1 1BL
Medway: Samaritans Medway, Priory Road, Strood, Rochester, ME2 2EG
Shout
If you would prefer to receive support via text message, Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope, simply text 85258.
Drop-in support
Mental Health Matters run a number of safe haven drop-in services in Kent, open from 6pm until 11pm every day of the year.