Our Support Line will close at 5pm on Wednesday 23 December and will reopen at 9am on Monday 4 January 2021.
During this time, if you would like to make an enquiry regarding our recuperation, physical health or non-emergency mental health support, you can either complete an enquiry online and we will get back to you in January, or you can wait until we re-open to call our Support Line on 0800 389 8820.
Christmas can be a difficult time and if you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please call 999 or go straight to your local A&E department. You can call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 to talk to someone. You can also email them at Jo@samaritans.org, if you require a response within 24 hours or via their website, if your query is non urgent. Alternatively call 111 who can put you in touch with local mental health services in your area.
If you are in crisis
If your life is at risk right now, you feel like you might attempt suicide, or you may have seriously harmed yourself, you need urgent medical help. Please call 999 for an ambulance, go straight to A&E (if it’s safe to do so) or call your local crisis team. Mental health emergencies are serious. You are not wasting anyone’s time. So if you’re in crisis or you’re worried about someone who is, here is some useful information for what to do.
Find more about getting help in a crisis here.
Welfare support during the festive season
Our Welfare Caseworkers will be available on certain days for support with any urgent social or welfare issues. Should you need to speak to them, you can do so between 9am and 11.30am on Thursday 24 December, and then between 10am and 3pm on Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 or Thursday 31 December. Enquiries made outside of this time will be responded to once we reopen in January.
Other sources of support
The Samaritans
Available round the clock, every single day of the year, for anyone who is struggling to cope. You can call Samaritans for free from any phone on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit their website to find details of your nearest branch.
Shout
Text Bluelight to 85258 for 24/7 support from Shout, a dedicated text service for members of the Emergency Service community. You can find more information via their website.
Refuge for Women and Children against domestic violence
Run in partnership with Women’s Aid and Refuge, there is a free 24-hour national domestic violence helpline for those facing violence or abuse. Support can be accessed by calling 0808 2000 247 or visiting their website.