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In crisis? Get help right now

This page is free, with no sign-up and nothing to buy. You’ll find emergency numbers, someone to talk to, and the idea behind the Parents’ Emergency Kit. If there’s serious danger, call emergency services now — don’t wait.

In immediate danger

If your child or you yourself are putting anyone in serious danger and you can no longer keep the situation safe: call now, don’t weigh it up.

Call 112 (Germany, Austria, Switzerland) Call 999 (UK)

112 is the general emergency number across the EU, including Germany and Austria, and also works in Switzerland. In the UK, dial 999 (or 112, which works there too). Full country-by-country lists are below.

Numbers depend on your country — not your language

This page is in English, but the right emergency number depends on which country you’re in right now, not which language you read. Choose your country:

Germany
  • 112 — Emergency services (Notruf), in case of acute danger
  • 110 — Polizei (police), in case of acute danger
  • 116117 — On-call medical service (Ärztlicher Bereitschaftsdienst), when the practice is closed and it can’t wait until the next day
  • 0800 111 0 111 — Telefonseelsorge (crisis/emotional support helpline), around the clock, free of charge
  • 0800 111 0 550 — Nummer gegen Kummer (parents’ helpline), free and anonymous for parents
  • 116 111 — Children’s and youth helpline (Kinder- und Jugendtelefon), free and anonymous for children and teenagers
Austria
  • 112 — European emergency number (Euronotruf), EU-wide, even without a PIN or SIM
  • 133 — Polizei (police), in case of acute danger
  • 144 — Ambulance (Rettung), emergency doctor and ambulance, including in case of acute risk of suicide
  • 142 — Telefonseelsorge (crisis/emotional support helpline), around the clock, anonymous and free of charge
  • 147 — Rat auf Draht, counseling around the clock for children, teenagers, and caregivers
  • 141 — On-call medical service (Ärztefunkdienst / Ärztenotdienst), when the practice is closed
  • 0800 133 133 — Emergency number for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, by SMS or fax
Switzerland
  • 144 — Ambulance / medical rescue (Sanität / Ambulanz), medical emergency, around the clock
  • 117 — Polizei (police), in case of acute danger
  • 118 — Fire brigade (Feuerwehr), fire and technical emergencies
  • 112 — European emergency number, connects you to the dispatch center
  • 147 — Pro Juventute, counseling for children, teenagers, and parents, around the clock, free and anonymous
  • 143 — Die Dargebotene Hand, worry and crisis line for adults, around the clock
  • 145 — Tox Info Suisse, for poisonings, around the clock
United Kingdom
  • 999 — Emergency services, 24/7, free, for immediate danger
  • 111 — NHS 111, 24/7, free, also for mental health crises without immediate danger to life
  • 116 123 — Samaritans, 24/7, free
  • 0800 1111 — Childline, for children and young people under 19, 24/7, free, does not show on the phone bill
  • 0808 802 5544 — YoungMinds Parents Helpline, Mon/Thu/Fri 9:30–16:00, Tue/Wed 9:30–18:00, free
  • 0800 068 4141 — Papyrus HOPELINE247, suicide prevention for under-35s, also for worried parents, 24/7, free (also by text to 88247)

These are the four countries the Mika Guide app’s crisis section covers. Somewhere else: 112 is the general emergency number across the EU.

Status: July 2026 · Source: the same contacts held in the SOS section of the Mika Guide app.

The Parents’ Emergency Kit idea

When your child is having a meltdown, it’s not only your child who needs steadying — you do too. Three small moves for the moment itself:

Three breaths

Before you do or say anything: three conscious breaths, with the exhale longer than the inhale. It won’t change the situation — but it might change who inside you responds to it.

An anchor sentence

One sentence you repeat inwardly while the storm rages outside: “This is overload — not an attack.” On the outside, the opposite applies: as few words as possible.

The repair moment

When the storm subsides, no explanation is needed — only one message: the relationship held. Offer closeness without pushing. Talking can wait until later.

If the exhaustion won’t lift, you feel persistently empty, or dark thoughts come: talk to your doctor — or use one of the numbers above.

The family crisis plan

In the acute moment, nobody thinks clearly — that’s not a question of discipline, it’s biology. A plan written in a calm hour helps when nobody is calm anymore.

What belongs in the plan
  • Early signs: How do you notice that something is building up in your child?
  • What supports: retreat spot, ritual, the things that have worked for your family.
  • What you leave out: just as important — discussions, holding on, an audience.
  • Division of roles: who stays with the child, who takes care of siblings and surroundings? Whoever notices their own fuse is blowing may hand over — with an agreed signal word, no explanation.
  • Emergency contacts: who can be reached if things get serious.