If you or a loved one is experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.
Where possible, a clinician will ask to speak directly to the individual when a family member calls to ensure they can offer the most appropriate support.
What happens when I call?
The phone will be answered by a trained mental health professional who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need.
They can offer advice over the phone, put you in contact with crisis services or refer you to other, appropriate support.
Who can call?
You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs. If you’re calling for another person, please note that the clinician may ask to speak directly with them to ensure they can provide the most appropriate support.
If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service –
NHS 111 – SignVideo.If you aren't able to make the call yourself, then anyone can call on your behalf — for example a friend, carer, loved one or even your GP. You can also access NHS 111 online via
111.nhs.uk.
The service is available to anyone facing a mental health crisis, which could include:
- Changes to your mood
- Withdrawing from people (close family, friends, or work colleagues)
- Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living
- Excessive worry
- Feeling out of control or unable to cope
- Feeling anxious about leaving the house
- Hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t
- Thinking about harming yourself.
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- Yours or 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
If you just need to talk, any time of day or night
These services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:
Alternative local support
- Worcestershire Safe Haven (18+) provides telephone support and face-to-face appointments to Worcestershire residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 01905 600400 any day of the week between 6pm and midnight for support and signposting.
- Herefordshire Mind Safe Haven (18+) is open to anyone over the age of 18, living in Herefordshire and struggling with mental distress. We provide an active listening service and signposting to help support those in need. We're open 356 days a year, 5pm-10pm on 01432 372 407 and safehaven@herefordshire-mind.org.uk. You do not need an appointment to talk to a member of staff over the phone but face to face support is by appointment only.
National support
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK247 is a suicide prevention helpline for anyone aged 35, or if you have concerns about a young person who might be struggling. Call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 or text 88247.
- 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.
- If yours, or someone else’s life is in immediate danger for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe you can contact 999 by using the Relay UK service . The service is provided for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired as an alternative option for contacting an emergency service.
