Access mental health support
Gaining access to receive urgent mental health care can be daunting if you are going through tough times.
If you are having thoughts of suicide, are harming yourself or have thought about self-harm, it’s important to tell someone.
These thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening and confusing, but you do not have to struggle alone.
If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, contact one of the organisations below to get support right away.
It’s important to know that support is available, even if services seem busy at the moment because of coronavirus.
NHS 111 Option 2 Crisis Line
The 24-hour service, launched by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), offers immediate and specialist support to adults experiencing mental health crisis.
Anyone in need can dial 111 at any time and select the option for mental health crisis (option 2).
Callers will be connected to trained staff at EPUT who can provide timely and appropriate support and advice.
The service is for people aged 18 and over and aims to ensure those in need of support can access it quickly when they need it most.
Support for mental health
Here are some useful organisations with contact information for anyone seeking support and advice.
Samaritans
When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- call free on 116 123
- visit the Samaritans website
LGBT support
If you are part of the LGBT community and need mental health support, visit our website with a list of supportive organisations by clicking this link now.
Crisis support for young people
Papyrus
If you’re under 35 and feel that life is not worth living any more, call Papyrus’s HopelineUK from 9am to 10pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends:
- call HopelineUK on 0800 068 41 41
- text 07860 039967
- visit the Papyrus website
Childline
If you’re under 19, you can also speak to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill:
- call Childline on 0800 1111
- visit the Childline website