“I want to encourage anyone suffering from mental health issues to seek the support they need. There’s no shame in it. We all need to ask for help sometimes”.—Harry Kane
A mental health crisis is when you feel your mental health is at breaking point, and you need urgent help and support.
For example, you might have feelings or experiences that feel very painful or difficult to manage such as suicidal feelings, self-harm, panic attacks, flashbacks, hypomania or mania, or psychosis (such as paranoia or hearing voices). You might also have other experiences that aren’t mentioned here.
Some people feel in crisis as part of ongoing mental health problems, or due to stressful and difficult life experiences such as abuse, bereavement, addiction, money problems or housing problems. Or there might not be a particular reason.
However you experience a crisis, it’s always OK to ask for help.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
someone’s life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.
Call: 999
NHS 111
If you find yourself in a mental health crisis, it can be difficult to know what to do.
NHS 111 is here to help with the introduction of a mental health option for urgent mental health support. This will be option two.
To access the service call 111 and selection option two.
Please note that if you would prefer to text this service, you can contact 07860 025 281
The extension of the 111 service means if you are experiencing a mental health crisis you will be able to dial the NHS urgent medical advice number (111), and by choosing ‘mental health option’ will be put through to your local crisis service.
Specially trained mental health staff will speak to you, discuss your urgent needs, and assess the best way to support you depending on your symptoms.
If you have physically harmed yourself, or if you feel your life is at risk, then A&E is the right place to go.
This service aims to help you if you want someone to talk to and need advice on what help is available and which services you can access in your local area.
Sanctuary Hubs
If you feel like you need to access face to face support out of usual mental health service hours then you can visit the Sanctuary Hubs, available within each of the boroughs of the Black Country.
Opening Times:
Monday – Friday 6 – 11pm; and Saturday and Sunday 12noon – 11pm
Locations:
- Dudley Sanctuary Hub: DY1 Community Centre, Stafford Street, Dudley, DY1 1SA
- Sandwell Sanctuary Hub: Hope Place, 321 High Street, West Bromwich, B70 8LU
- Walsall Sanctuary Hub: 1 Queen’s Parade, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 2EX
- Wolverhampton Sanctuary Hub: 84 Salop Street, Wolverhampton, WV3 0SR
No referal is required. You must be aged 18+ and have live in or be registered with a GP in Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall or Wolverhampton.
The Sanctuary Hubs can provide emotional support to those in distress, in need of reassurance or at times when people need to be listened to most.
You can also access telephone support via calling NHS 111 and selecting Option 2.
To access the service call 111 and selection option two.
Please note that if you would prefer to text this service, you can contact 07860 025 281
The extension of the 111 service means if you are experiencing a mental health crisis you will be able to dial the NHS urgent medical advice number (111), and by choosing ‘mental health option’ will be put through to your local crisis service.
Specially trained mental health staff will speak to you, discuss your urgent needs, and assess the best way to support you depending on your symptoms.
If you have physically harmed yourself, or if you feel your life is at risk, then A&E is the right place to go.
Support Lines
For alternative support you can call:
SANE
0300 304 7000
(4:30pm – 10:30pm)
sanemail@org.uk
www.sane.org.uk
Samaritans
116 123
(24 hour helpline – free to call)
www.samaritans.org.uk
Anxiety UK
08444 775 774
(Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 5:30pm)
www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Rethink Mental Illness
0300 5000 927
(Monday – Friday, 9:30am – 4pm)
www.rethink.org
Shout text service: You can text Shout to 85258 to connect to a trained person to help you.
See giveusashout.org for more information
Information taken from: