Emergency Numbers
Christmas can be a wonderful time of year. A chance to see family and friends, create memories and exchange gifts. But, it’s not always the most wonderful time of year for everyone; mental ill-health doesn’t discriminate and it certainly doesn’t follow the rules of our calendar.
It’s important to remember that mental health emergencies should be taken as seriously as a medical emergency. If you think you are at risk of taking your own life, seriously harming yourself and need immediate medical attention, or if you are worried about someone else, trust your instincts and seek help.
We hope you can enjoy the festivities but, if you find yourself in need of support over the Christmas and New Year period, there are places that can help.
If you don't feel you can keep yourself safe right now, seek immediate help:
• Go to any Accident & Emergency (A&E) department.
• Call 999 and ask for an ambulance to take you to A&E.
• Ask someone else to call 999 for you or take you to A&E.
If you need urgent support but don't want to go to A&E, you could contact:
• NHS 111.
• Youth Crisis Café ‘Espresso Yourself’
- Monday 28th December 4pm – 8pm at the lowdown in Northampton (01604/634385)
- Tuesday 29th December 4pm – 8pm at Youth Works at Mind building in Corby (01536/518339)
• Your GP surgery and ask for an emergency appointment. Note: GP surgeries are closed on Bank Holidays but, if you phone your nearest surgery, the answering machines will usually give you advice on how to get hold of an out-of-hours doctor.
• NHS Mental Health Hub Call 0800 917 0464 for help if you feel unsafe, at risk or unable to cope without professional advice
• NHFT School Nursing 0-19 hub for friendly and helpful advice text 07507 329600 (except bank holidays and weekends)
• telephone support service providing crisis support – open to people who are already known to Northamptpnshire mental health services.
• Samaritans call for free on 116 123 or email them on jo@samaritans.org
Helplines - If you need advice or someone impartial to talk to, the services below are offering support throughout the festive period:
• For mental health crisis support, you can ring the SANEline support/helpline on 0300 304 7000 between 4:30pm-10:30pm, each evening.
• For general mental health help, you can access help via text from Shout Simply text SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 crisis support. This service is available for free on major mobile networks, for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere.
• You can speak to CAMHS live and online Mon – Fri 9am – 7pm.
• Childline is a confidential li ne offering support and advice for young people under 19 (and their relatives) by calling 0800 1111 or via one to one chat between 7:30am and 3:30am every day.
• The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is a helpline for men and is open from 5pm-midnight on 0800 585858. The CALM webchat is also open during these hours.
• Switchboard https://switchboard.lgbt/ is a line for LGBT+ support: 0300 330 0630. The helpline is open 10am-10pm 365 days a year. Or you can email: chris@switchboard.lgbt.
• For eating disorder support, contact the Beat Helpline on 0808 801 0677. The phone line will be open 4-8pm from 24 December to 1 January. Sometimes their lines are busy so, if you can't get through immediately, please try again or try their one-to-one webchat.
• The national Rape Crisis helpline is open today and every day 12pm-2.30pm and 7pm-9:30pm. The helpline offers confidential emotional support, information and referral details.
• Papyrus preventing young suicide (under 35) across the UK through confidential suicide prevention advice. Contact HOPELINEUK, open 9am–12am (midnight) every day of the year: Call 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.
• Cruse Bereavement Care 0800 808 1677.
• Young Minds emotional wellbeing support for young people. If you need urgent help text YM to 85258. Call the Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines).
• Anxiety UK - get support now.
• The Mix support service for young people who are facing challenges such as mental health and homelessness. Contact the helpline for under 25’s on 0808 8084994 or their 1-2-1 online chat.
