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.
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.
In hours (9am-5pm), please contact your care coordinator or local Community Recovery Service.
Out of hours (after 5pm or on holidays/weekends), please call the number that has been provided to you via your mental health team or alternatively please contact the hospital switchboard on 01922 607000.
If you need emergency support outside the working hours of 9am to 5pm, the best things to do are:
- call our main switchboard on 01922 607000. An automatic message will be able to lead you to getting in touch with the right service
- call your out-of-hours GP service
- for urgent medical attention attend your local emergency department
If you are accessing one of the groups facilitated by the learning disabilities services here are some useful links of who to call for support in a Crisis. Choose the area where you live:
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.
Monday – Friday, 6 – 11pm; and
Saturday and Sunday 12noon – 11pm
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.
|
Dudley Sanctuary Hub |
Sandwell Sanctuary Hub |
|
Walsall Sanctuary Hub |
Wolverhampton Sanctuary Hub 84 Salop Street |
You can also access telephone support via calling NHS 111 and selecting Option 2.
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