The following is a list of information and contacts that the members of Synergy have found useful. We would like to share these details with you and hope you might find some of it useful. Please keep this information in a safe place in case you need it.
Emergency Services
If you feel you are in imminent danger of taking your own life, please:
- Talk to your GP
- Dial 999 or go to your nearest Accident and Emergency department (A&E). In some hospitals, this will be called the Emergency Department. Qualified staff are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They will be able to assess you and give you the appropriate help.
- Get in touch with your local crisis home treatment team if you have one
If you don’t feel in immediate danger of killing yourself but are frightened by the thought that you might, you could:
- Talk to someone you trust about how you’re feeling
- Read this information about coping with suicidal feelings, which has some tips and links that you might find useful.
If you’re finding it hard to find the words, you might want to speak to someone who is trained to listen:
- Mind infoline 0300 123 3393 weekdays 9am – 6pm info@mind.org.uk
- Samaritans 08457 90 90 90 open 24 hours a day jo@samaritans.org
- HOPELineUK 0800 068 41 41, email: pat@papyrus-uk.org, text: 07786 209697
- Sussex Mental Health Helpline 0300 5000 101
- Or you can call the NHS 111 service if you urgently need help or advice but it is not a life-threatening situation.
If you feel you are not able to keep yourself safe, and do not need immediate medical assistance, you should contact the Mental Health Rapid Response Service which is able to offer immediate support. They can be reached on 01273 242220 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week including bank holidays).
Mental Health Services
If you are already receiving support from mental health services you should have a care plan. This will include details of who you should contact in a crisis.
- Can’t find your care plan? Is it day time? Contact your our Community Mental Health Team (CMHT)– Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Ask for your care co-ordinator or the person on duty.
- Is it outside of office hours? Contact your local Home Treatment Team or telephone information or help lines listed below, or contact Mental Health Rapid Response Service which is able to offer immediate support. They can be reached on 01273 242220 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week including bank holidays).
- For information and advice on a huge range of mental health topics visit: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/a-z-mental-health/
- A mental health crisis is when you feel your mental health is at breaking point. For information and advice visit: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/crisis-services/
NHS mental health services
Find local mental health services on the NHS website.
You can also get mental health advice from NHS Choices.
NHS 111 phone: call new service 111 when you need help fast but it is not a 999 emergency. Calls are free from landlines and mobiles.
NHS 111 website: 111.nhs.uk
The Samaritans
Provide confidential support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. You don’t have to be suicidal to call.
Phone: 08457 90 90 90 / 08457 90 90 90 (UK) 24 hours a day, every day of the year
Samaritans email: jo@samaritans.org.
Visit your local Samaritans branch for face-to-face support
Samaritans website: www.samaritans.org.uk
As You Are Centre
The As You Are Centre is a Brighton and Hove / West Sussex based charity, operating since 2012. We have established ourselves as a trusted and respected supplier of counselling, psychotherapy, group work and training. They provide over 2000 session of affordable counselling to vulnerable and disadvantaged people each year with fees as low as £8.00. They run group work and support groups for people with complex needs or conditions. Their primary aim is to make a positive difference to the lives of people who experience depression, anxiety, stress, isolation, trauma and mental health difficulties. Call: 07952 754859 and 07507 706478. Corner House: 01273 871576 (press option 2 for As You Are) Monday & Tuesday evenings 6-9pm and Saturdays 10-1pm. The As You Are Centre 45 Southwick Street, Southwick BN42 4TH
As You Are website : www.asyouarecentre.co.uk
As You Are email : info@asyouarecentre.co.uk
The National Survivor User Network (NSUN)
An independent mental health service user/survivor led organisation.
The network was set up by service users to build a more united and confident mental health service user movement. It recognises the isolation and discrimination experienced by mental health service users and their needs beyond clinical treatment.
NSUN Website: www.nsun.org.uk
Grassroots Suicide Prevention
Supporting communities to prevent suicide, one life at a time. They teach suicide alertness and intervention skills to community members and professionals.
Grassroots website : www.prevent-suicide.org.uk
Helplines Partnership
Helplines Partnership is the membership body for organisations that provide helpline services in the UK and internationally. You can search for a helpline in the UK by name, topic area or location.
Phone: 0300 330 7777
Email: info@helplines.org
Helplines Partnership website: www.helplines.org
Counselling Directory
Counselling Directory only lists counsellors and psychotherapists
who are members of a recognised professional body or those who have sent us copies of their qualifications and insurance cover.
Phone: 0844 8030 240 / 0844 8030 240
Counselling Directory website: www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Sane
A confidential UK national telephone helpline run by Sane, the mental health charity. Saneline offers practical information, crisis care and emotional support to anyone affected by mental health problems, including families and carers.
Saneline: 845 767 8000 / 845 767 8000 -– Monday to Friday, 12 noon to 11pm. Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon to 6pm
Sane website: www.sane.org.uk
Mind
Keeps a list of some of the statutory crisis services in England that accept self-referrals. You can read the list online. Go to the website below and click first on ‘Information’, then on ‘Factsheets’. When you see the list of factsheets, scroll down to ‘Crisis services’ and then click on ‘List of crisis services open to self-referrals’. Services in London are listed by borough; services in the rest of England are listed by county and metropolitan area.
Mind website: www.mind.org.uk
Mind InfoLine
Offers advice and support to service users; have network of local associations in England and Wales.Details should be in local directories and libraries.
Call Mind InfoLine: 08457 660 163 / 08457 660 163 (local rate) – Monday to Friday 9.15am to 5.15pm
MindOut | Mental Health Charity for LGBTQ community
We work to improve the mental health and wellbeing of LGBTQ communities and to make mental health a community concern.
MindOut website: www.mindout.org.uk
YoungMinds
A national charity committed to improving the mental health and emotional well-being of all children and young people.
Are you a young person? Call: 0800 1111 / 0800 1111
Are you a parent? Call: 0808 802 5544 / 0808 802 5544
Do you need non urgent, general information? Call general enquiries: 020 7336 8445 / 020 7336 8445
YoungMinds website: www.youngminds.org.uk
Rethink
Works to help everyone affected by severe mental illness, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, with a goal of recovering a better quality of life. Rethink provides effective services and support and campaigns for change through greater awareness and understanding.
Open Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.
Rethink email: advice@rethink.org
Rethink website: www.rethink.org
Together, working for mental well-being
Runs a range of services including advocacy, community support, day.
Together website: www.together-uk.org
Bipolar UK
A support network for people with bipolar disorders.
Bipolar UK phone: 020 7793 2600 / 020 7793 2600 weekdays 9am-5pm
Bipolar UK website: www.bipolaruk.org.uk
Hearing Voices Network
Advice and a network of local groups available to people who hear voices, their carers and workers.
Hearing Voices Network Helpline: 0161 834 5768 / 0161 834 5768
Hearing Voices Network website : www.hearing-voices.org
National Self Harm Network (NSHN)
NSHN was originally established to build a network of support groups for individuals who self harm and campaign for their rights. Since its founding the charity has grown and evolved. The charity now focuses on support and distraction enabling people to seek alternatives to self harm. NSHN aims to empower individuals to explore reasons for their self harm and to seek.
NSHN Helpline: 0800 622 6000 7pm – 11pm
NSHN website: www.nshn.co.uk
Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide
PAPYRUS was founded in 1997 by Jean Kerr, a mother from Lancashire. She and a small group of parents who had each lost a child to suicide were convinced that that many young suicides are preventable.From its beginnings, people have joined the charity which is now the UK-wide membership organisation dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.PAPYRUS membership is open to all who share the belief that young suicide is often preventable.
Papyrus helpline (HOPElineUK): 0800 068 41 41 / 0800 068 41 41 / pat@papyrus-uk.org
Papyrus website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Beat – Beating Eating Disorders
Are you an adult? Call 0845 634 1414 / 0845 634 1414 – Monday to Friday, 4:00pm to 8:30pm. Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Are you a young person? Call 0845 634 7650 / 0845 634 7650 – Monday to Friday, 10:30am to 8:30pm. Saturday, 1:00pm to 4:30pm
Beat website: www.b-eat.co.uk
No Panic
Offer support for people experiencing panic attacks, phobias, etc
No Panic Helpline: 0808 808 0545 / 0808 808 0545 – every day, 10am to 10pm
No Panic website: www.nopanic.org.uk
British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
To find a therapist search the directories:
www.counselling-directory.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care
Promotes the well-being of bereaved people and enables anyone bereaved by death to understand their grief and cope with their loss. As well providing free care to all bereaved people, the charity also offers information, support and training services to those who are looking after them.
Cruse Bereavement Care website: www.cruse.org.uk
Alcoholics Anonymous
Offer advice and support on alcohol issues
Alcoholics Anonymous Helpline: 08457 697555 / 08457 697555
Alcoholics Anonymous website: www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk
Release
Offer advice and provide services for people using drugs and those who work with them.
Open 10am – 5.30pm weekdays.
Release phone: 020 7729 9904 / 020 7729 9904 or 020 7603 8654 / 020 7603 8654 – evenings, weekdays and holidays
Release website: www.release.org.uk
NACRO
Provides information for prisoners who have been released from prison.
NACRO Helpline: 0800 0181 259 / 0800 0181 259 (freephone)
NACRO email: helpline@nacro.org.uk
NACRO website: nacro.org.uk
Alzheimer’s Society
Helpline 0845 300 0336 / 0845 300 0336
Information about Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia issues
Alzheimer’s Society website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Supporting Students with Mental Health Issues
The guide offers lots of helpful information such as:
- A useful overview of ways to support students with mental health issues; full of practical advice, tips, and information.
- Brief background and context of mental health problems in education – with key stats showing that 1 in 10 students have a diagnosable mental health condition; roughly translating as three students in every classroom.
- Information to help identify students with mental health problems, academic provisions that can be made, how to empower students, and how to make a positive learning environment.
- Links to other useful and relevant mental health support websites and resources for students, teachers, and counsellors.
MyTutor Schools website : Supporting students with mental health issues – MyTutor Schools
Rehab 4 Addiction
Rehab 4 Addiction was founded to assist those affected by substance misuse and their loved ones. We offer a range of services, and help signpost you to the most effective treatments. This includes alcohol rehab, drug rehab, detox services, intervention, aftercare and outpatient counselling.
Rehab 4 Addiction Website : www.rehab4addiction.co.uk
Other Health Services
Quit Smoking
NHS Quit Smoking raises the awareness of the consequences of smoking and helps communities become smoke-free
NHS Quit Smoking Website : www.nhs.uk/better-health/quit-smoking
American Cancer Society
American Cancer Society promotes health through education and awareness
American Cancer Society website : www.cancer.org
Advice Services
Citizens’ Advice Bureaux (CAB)
Offer advice and information on issues such as benefits, health services, housing, consumer/employment rights, etc.
CAB website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
The PALS
The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) should now be available in every NHS trust in England to deal with any concerns or complaints for service users, relatives and carers.
PALS website: www.pals.nhs.uk
Complaints about the NHS
Serious concerns about NHS care can be directed to:
www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/about-the-nhs/how-to-complain-to-the-nhs/
The complaints service at the NHS trust concerned (in the first instance: details should be available locally);
The Health Service Ombudsman website : www.ombudsman.org.uk
Your local MP (via constituency surgery or by phone: details locally) or council member.
Care Quality Commission (CQC)
CQC checks all hospitals in England to ensure they are meeting national standards, and share its findings with the public.
CQC website: www.cqc.org.uk.
National Advice Service
National Advice Service phone: 020 8974 6814