Is violence happening right now? Could someone harm themselves? Is a child in immediate danger? Call local emergency services or urgent crisis help. Do the same for a medical emergency.
Open Find A Helpline and pick your country. Each listing says whether you can reach the service by phone, text, or chat.
Once the danger is over, sit down with this personalized relationship safety plan. It prompts you to plan what to do next.
If you may harm yourself
The World Health Organization's guidance on suicide is direct: call emergency services or a crisis line when someone could harm themselves now. Say "I may not be safe" to whoever answers. You can also say it to a health professional or someone nearby. If you can do so safely, stay with someone while you make contact. If a service does not answer, try another local option.
If your spouse may harm themselves
Take the threat seriously and contact local emergency or crisis help. Tell the service what your spouse said and whether the danger appears immediate.
WHO says you can ask directly, "Are you thinking about suicide?" Asking does not cause someone to act and can help them feel understood. You still do not have to assess or manage the crisis alone.
A threat of self-harm can signal real danger and can also be used to pressure a spouse. The Hotline's guide to emotional abuse lists suicide threats during arguments among behaviors that can be used to manipulate. Route the danger to crisis help. You cannot be the only person responsible for your spouse's survival. You may leave the relationship or tell others about the threat, and you never have to accept abuse. If you are also in danger, get emergency and domestic-abuse help for yourself.
If violence is happening
Contact local emergency services or urgent medical care. Do not delay care to collect evidence or finish an argument. For specialist support after the immediate danger is routed, use the global domestic-abuse directories.
If a child is in immediate danger
A child in immediate danger needs local emergency or child-protection help now. If the first service cannot help, ask who can.
If the first contact does not work
Try another channel or service. A helpline may provide support without sending an emergency response, so use local emergency or urgent health services when someone needs an immediate response. The crisis-support guide explains how the service types differ when danger is not immediate.