Urgent Mental Health Support and Mental Health and Wellness

If you or a loved one is experiencing a mental health crisis and needs urgent help, dialling NHS 111 and selecting Option 2 is a fast way to connect with trained mental health professionals. This option is designed to provide immediate advice, support, and guidance to anyone struggling with mental health issues. You can use this service if you are in distress, feeling overwhelmed, or need urgent help to manage your mental health.

NHS 111 Option 2 is available to anyone experiencing a mental health crisis, as well as friends, family members, or caregivers of those in crisis. Children and adolescents under 18 may be directed to specialised support depending on their location.

This option helps people get the right support without needing to visit A&E, which may not always have mental health specialists on-site. It’s open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and may be quicker than booking a GP appointment.
Some reasons to use NHS 111 Option 2 include:
– Feeling unable to cope with day-to-day life due to overwhelming anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues.
– Experiencing severe stress, panic attacks, or thoughts of self-harm.
– Not feeling safe or feeling that others around you may be at risk.
– Needing urgent advice on how to support a loved one who is in crisis.

When you call 111 and select Option 2, you will be connected to a mental health professional. Here’s what usually happens during the call:
1. Initial Assessment – You’ll be asked a few questions to understand your current situation, symptoms, and level of distress. Be open and honest to help the staff understand what you need.
2. Guidance and Support – Depending on your needs, the mental health professional will provide immediate advice on how to manage your feelings and thoughts.
3. Referral or Next Steps – If necessary, the mental health professional may refer you to a crisis team, counselling services, or other mental health resources in your area.
4. Safety Planning – For those with high levels of distress or risk, a safety plan may be created to ensure you or your loved one has a structured approach to stay safe and manage the crisis effectively.

It may be difficult if you are feeling overwhelmed or distressed, but to make the very most out of your call, consider having the following information available:
Current symptoms you or your loved one are experiencing.
Any existing mental health diagnoses or treatments.
Recent life events that may have impacted mental health.
Medications being taken (if relevant).

Yes, all calls to NHS 111 are confidential. However, if there is a serious concern for your safety or the safety of others, they may involve other services to ensure everyone’s well-being.

The service is free, as is the call from landlines and mobiles, which won’t use up mobile minutes or incur charges.

Your information is kept confidential, though NHS staff may encourage you to discuss your mental health with your GP. They will not disclose information to family members or others without your consent unless there’s a significant risk to your safety.

NHS 111 Option 2 is ideal if you need urgent support but are not in immediate, life-threatening danger. For severe emergencies, such as imminent harm or need for immediate intervention, calling 999 or going to A&E is appropriate.

NHS 111 Option 2 is part of the NHS’s commitment to accessible mental health support for everyone. It’s ideal for crisis situations that may not require emergency services but still need prompt, professional intervention. This service often works with other NHS services, like local mental health crisis teams, GP practices, and community mental health services to ensure ongoing support.

A mental health crisis can feel overwhelming and isolating, but NHS 111 Option 2 offers an immediate way to reach out for help. If you or someone you care about is struggling, remember that you are not alone – help is available, and reaching out is the first step towards feeling

If you have been struggling with low mood, anxiety or other mental health difficulties, help is available. 

(Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies | Talking Therapies (hwhct.nhs.uk)  NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies provides a range of free, confidential support to people aged 16 and over across Herefordshire and Worcestershire.  Main provider of mental health and learning disability services, access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services for various mental health problems for anxiety and depression

Mind Safe Haven offer a safe space, a respectful listening ear and an exploration of coping strategies via telephone (01432 372 407) email or virtually – open 5pm-1pm 365 days a year
Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
Text  “HERE” in Herefordshire to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line
If you are deaf or hard of hearing and experiencing a mental health crisis contact the SignHealth Text Crisis service, by texting DEAF to 85258 for free and immediate support.

The CLD Trust –  01432 269245 – Office hours: 9.00am – 5.00pm – Email – info@thecldtrust.org – The CLD Trust has funding to offer free appointments to children and young people aged 9 – 21, and are now able to offer a free service to some adults dependent on finances
Marches Counselling Service: 01432 279 906 – Marches Counselling Service, 57 St Owen Street, Hereford, HR1 2JQ – provide professional counselling and psychotherapy – People pay toward the cost of the service  provided.  However, as a not for profit service  make every effort to ensure that this is realistically affordable. Your contribution helps sustain the service

ChildLine provides a confidential telephone and online counselling service for anyone under 19. You can call 0800 1111 any time for free – lines are open 24 hours a day have an online chat with a Childline counsellor
The Mix provides a free confidential telephone helpline and online service for anyone under 25, which aims to find young people the best help, whatever the problem. You can: call 0808 808 4994 for free – lines are open from 11am to 11pm every day email questions to The Mix get counselling from The Mix
Shout – Text SHOUT to 85258.  Shout provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.  Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus. Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.
Papyrus – Offers confidential advice and support if you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, and information about how to make a safety plan. helpline service – HOPELINE247 – Tel: 0800 0684141 –Text: 88247 – email: pat@papyrus-uk.orgis available to anybody under the age of 35 experiencing suicidal thoughts, or for anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide. Opening times: 24/7 every day of the year

Op COURAGE: The Veterans Mental Health and Wellbeing Service – Self referral – www.opcouragemidlands.nhs.uk –Tel :  0300 323 0137 – mevs.mhm@nhs.net – help serving personnel due to leave the military, reservists, armed forces veterans and their families.  helping you transition from military to civilian life – helping you recognise and treat early signs of mental health problems, as well as more advanced mental health conditions and psychological trauma – treatment for substance misuse and addictions – access other NHS mental health services – liaising with charities and local organisations to support your wider health and wellbeing needs, such as help with housing, relationships, finances and employment – supporting armed forces families affected by mental health problems

There is a new NHS support tool for those suffering with depression that provides guidance on making decisions about managing depression – Making decisions about managing depression

Turning Point/Herefordshire Recovery Service – Herefordshire@turning-point.co.uk – 0300 555 0747  – integrated substance misuse service provides free and confidential support for adults and young people around the use of alcohol and other drugs. also offer support to families and carers affected by the alcohol or drug use of someone else.
Frank “Honest information about drugs”

West Mercia Women’s Aid – HEREFORDSHIRE Tel: 0800 783 1359 – Live chat on line – www.westmerciawomensaid.org – purpose is to reduce the incidence and impact of domestic abuse and violence against women and girls in West Mercia by providing support, protection and prevention services that empower those affected by violence and abuse to rebuild their lives and those of their children.
Herefordshire Male Victims Service (Domestic Abuse) – cranstoun.org – Self referral on line – Cranstoun provides male domestic abuse services across the county of Herefordshire.  an all-inclusive service for all male residents aged 11+ in Herefordshire experiencing abuse.

West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse support Centre provide support and advice for people who have suffered sexual abuse, and have a support line – call 0808 500 2222

National association for people abused in childhood – national organisation supporting people abused in childhood
1in6 – male childhood sexual abuse information and support website

If you are concerned you might have ADHD or Autism, there is support out there to help understand these traits and how to live effectively with them.
Find out more

Cry-sis – www.cry-sis.org.uk – HELPLINE  0800 448 0737 – Lines open 7 days a week 9am-10pm – Support for parents with crying and sleepless babies

Childhood Loss
SANDS – provide support for families who have lost a child, including a helpline, memory boxes and local support groups
Tommy’s and The Lullaby Trust are also available for support
MindEd: Free educations resources for those working with people with mental health difficulties