How to get urgent help in a crisis
Call 999 or got to A&E if you, or someone else is ill, seriously injured, or a life is at risk.
- A&E staff should treat you with respect and look after any immediate physical and mental health needs.
- They should also refer you to a liaison psychiatry service, or local crisis resolution and home treatment team (CRHT).
- They will assess you and decide on the best course of care.
- This usually involves supporting you with your mental health at home. They may also refer you to other services to support your needs.
NHS 111
- For urgent mental health needs for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
- Help to speak to a mental health professional, an assessment to help decide on the best course of care.
- Open 24 hours every day.
- Calls are free.
- They can discuss your current mental health needs and provide access to further support.
Help with suicidal thoughts
- Mind - visit their website for guidance with planning for a mental health crisis
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK - Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the helpline on: 0800 689 5652.
- Shout: Free 24/7 support for people in crisis. Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer. For more information visit their website.
Find local support
MIND CRISIS CAFÉ
For urgent or crisis support with mental health, Crisis Cafés operates 365 days of the year, seven days a week, between 5.00pm – 11.00pm.
Crisis Cafés are safe, non-judgemental spaces that you can come to if you find yourself in crisis or mental distress in the evenings.
You will be met by a trained mental health worker who will listen and help you identify ways to address the problems you are facing, support to identify positive mental health coping strategies, give advice and guidance about other support services available in your area.
Each Crisis Café is now operating a drop-in service and an appointment is not required.
Luton Crisis Café: Luton Wellbeing Centre, 46-56 Dumfries Street, Luton, LU1 5BP
Bedford Crisis Café: Florence Ball House, Bedford Health Village, 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NX
Houghton Regis Crisis Café: Townsend Court, Mayer Way, Houghton Regis, LU5 5BF
Biggleswade Crisis Café: The Lawns Resource Centre, The Baulk, Biggleswade, SG18 0PT open 5.30pm – 11.00pm.
Bucks Mind Safe Haven: offer short-term intervention to people while they are in a mental health crisis. We provide listening support, signposting and safety planning.
Helpline telephone number: 01296 453017 https://www.bucksmind.org.uk or buckssafehaven@oxfordhealth.nhs.uk
The Bucks SafeHaven+ service: operates in Buckinghamshire from 6pm- 12am, in the following locations:
Aylesbury: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Peach Tree House, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Bierton Road, Sapphire Way, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP20 1EG
Please call: 01296 453017
Milton Keynes Crisis Café: 226 Queensway, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2TE.
Milton Keynes also has a Crisis phone line which can be contacted between 5.00pm – 11.00pm on: 01525 722 225.
Herts Nightlight Crisis Helpline: 01923 256391 - 7pm to 1am every day of the year.
If available they may be able to place you in a crisis bed overnight (in Hemel Hempstead).
Also call the helpline to access the crisis cafés in Watford. Emails are checked at the beginning of every shift; nightlight@hertsmindnetwork.org
NHS Wellbeing Service/Mental Health Team Hertfordshire:
To make a self-referral or find out more about the service visit the website
To request a self-referral form be sent to you via post, call 0800 6444 101.
If you are currently under a Mental Health Team in Hertfordshire and need support, contact Your care co-ordinator on the number provided to you, the Duty Worker during normal working hours, 9am—5pm Monday to Friday:
Borehamwood & Potters Bar Mental Health Team: 0208 731 3000
Bishops Stortford Mental Health Team: 01279 464 800
Cheshunt Mental Health Team: 01992 818 600
Dacorum Mental Health Team: 01442 913 569
Letchworth Mental Health Team: 01462 438 139
Ware Mental Health Team: 01920 443 900
Watford & Three Rivers Mental Health Team: 01923 837 000
Or, out of hours call: 0800 6444 101 (single point of access).
