Calling 999 can be a scary experience for anyone of any age. And as it’s something that many young people find themselves doing at some time in their lives, we explore why you might need to call the emergency services on 999, and how you can take care of yourself afterwards.

Why would I need to call 999?

Calling 999 is something you might do in an emergency situation where you need help right now for something that is happening now or has just happened.

So what is an emergency?

An emergency is a serious and sometimes dangerous and unexpected situation that needs specialist help straight away from an emergency service, such as the police, the fire service or the ambulance service.

Here are just some examples of an emergency situation

• There is a crime you think is about to happen (E.g. you feel worried or suspicious about something you see or hear), a crime happening right now (E.g. you are witnessing a crime taking place), or even a crime that has just happened (E.g. a robbery that has just taken place).

• There is a danger to your life or someone else's (E.g. someone has an accident and they need medical attention, or someone is at risk of hurting themselves or others).

• There is violence being used or threatened in that moment (E.g. you see someone being hurt).

Of course, there might also be times when you want to report or seek advice about something but it’s not necessarily an emergency. For example:

• You want to pass on information about a crime that’s already been committed but does not require emergency services (E.g. a theft you have information about).

• Reporting something that is not an emergency (E.g. You suspect there is an abandoned car in your area).

• You need to speak to a specific police officer/member of staff that is dealing with a particular issue (E.g. a crime already being investigated).

For a non-emergency like the above, you can call 101 - the UK police non-emergency line. 101 is in place to help free up the emergency services line but still give people a contact for important non-emergency issues.

What’s it actually like to call 999?

We now know what an emergency is and why we might need to call 999 or 101. But what’s it actually like to make an emergency call?

We asked some people* with experience of this situation what their thoughts were. This is what they had to say…

*Please note, we have used an initial in the quotes below to keep those who contributed anonymous.

'E's experience calling 999:

"Because I'd never called 999 before I wasn't sure what to expect. It all happened so quickly that I didn't have time to plan what I was going to say beforehand, which I often do with phone calls. I was quite anxious as I didn't know what information they would want and in what order. The operator was really calm and friendly though and asked for exactly what they needed. If they wanted me to repeat anything or if I was talking too fast they calmly let me know so they could get all of the information. I felt a bit shaky afterwards so I did a few deep breaths. I also felt that I'd done the right thing and it felt good to be able to help. 

'I's experience calling 999:

"For me, calling 999 can be nerve wracking. The questions that they ask you may sound irrelevant but they all end up being really helpful to paint a picture of the situation. When I called it was about me witnessing a crime and the first thing I wanted to do is describe the person involved as quickly as possible before they ran away. I felt like I wanted to rush but the call handler guided me slowly and calmly. It left me with the feeling that I’d done the right thing. It made me more aware of how they operate so that next time when I called for something else I was more calm and prepared." 

'A's experience calling 999:

"I called 999 recently for a relative and it was really nerve wracking, but the call handler** was amazing. He put me at ease straight away, and helped me to feel in control when the situation was totally out of my control. I was worried about what to say but I didn’t need to be as they literally walk you through what they need to know and what they need you to do, while also helping you to stay calm. It was amazing really and knowing that I wasn’t alone helped me to feel more confident in dealing with a potential emergency situation in the future." ~ A

** A call handler is someone specially trained to take 999 calls

How can you take care of yourself?

It’s important to remember that in an emergency situation, all kinds of thoughts and feelings might come up, from; anxiety to shock and even anger depending on the situation.

Here are just some ways you can take care of yourself after making a 999 call

• Talk it through with someone Being able to explore what it was like with someone you trust can help you process what happened and all the feelings you may have as a result too.

Don’t forget, the Kooth team is also available for you to talk things through. You can reach out to the team by messages or live chat here

• Practise some self care Making an emergency call, whether for yourself or someone else is a really big deal and so giving yourself some extra self care can be just what you need to feel comforted when you need it most.

For more information on self care, take a look here 

• Practise being 'in the present'
  Calling 999 can be pretty anxiety provoking and it’s not unusual to go over what happened in your mind. And while it might feel important to process the details of what happened, it can also mean your stress levels may be increased and you might find it hard to relax. It can help to practice being in the present moment too to help you to feel calm and relaxed rather than still in that emergency situation you experienced.

For more information about being 'in the present', take a look here

This breathing activity is also a great way to practise being in the present moment.

Where to find support if you have been a victim of crime?

Many people call emergency services after being a victim of crime which can be a difficult experience. Thankfully, there are lots of places you can go if you feel you’d like some extra support after experiencing a crime.

There is our lovely Kooth team, available online from 12-10pm every day of the week and at weekends from 6-10pm. All you have to do is click on the speech bubble icons at the top of the page and join the chat queue. You can also send them a message from there if you prefer.

If you are in Devon or Cornwall and experiencing any of these issues and want support, then you can contact Young Devon at 08082810155 or referrals@youngdevon.org or check out the Victims Care website here.

Victim Support offers free and confidential support to victims of crime available to anyone in England or Wales. You can call their free 24/7 helpline on 0808 1689 111 or visit their website for more information and online support here.

If you have been a victim of crime and would like to find out more about what support is available to you, take a look at our helpful article here.

Have you ever had to call emergency services? If you’d like to share your experience, tell us in the comments below.