Support in a mental health crisis

If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact the Herefordshire and Worcestershire 24 hour urgent mental health helpline by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.

What happens when I call?

The phone will be answered by a trained mental health professional who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need. With your permission, they can also access your electronic patient records to better meet your needs and to avoid you repeatedly having to tell us your situation. They can offer advice over the phone, put you in contact with crisis services or refer you to other, appropriate support

Who can call?

You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs. If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service – NHS 111 – SignVideo.

If you aren't able to make the call yourself, then anyone can call on your behalf — for example a friend, carer, loved one or even your GP. You can also access NHS 111 online via 111.nhs.uk.

The service is available to anyone facing a mental health crisis, which could include:
  • Changes to your mood
  • Withdrawing from people (close family, friends, or work colleagues)
  • Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living
  • Excessive worry
  • Feeling out of control or unable to cope
  • Feeling anxious about leaving the house
  • Hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t
  • Thinking about harming yourself.
By calling NHS 111, and selecting the mental health option, we can help to get you the urgent support you need for your mental health. If you are unsure what to do, staff on this number will be able to guide you to the appropriate choice.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

  • Yours or someone’s life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
  • You do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe

If you just need to talk, any time of day or night

These services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that's troubling you, no matter how difficult:

Alternative local support

  • Worcestershire Safe Haven provides telephone support and face-to-face appointments to Worcestershire residents who are experiencing a mental health crisis. Call 01905 600400 any day of the week between 6pm and midnight for support and signposting.
  • Herefordshire Mind Safe Haven is open to anyone over the age of 18, living in Herefordshire and struggling with mental distress. We provide an active listening service and signposting to help support those in need. We're open 356 days a year, 5pm-10pm on 01432 372 407 and safehaven@herefordshire-mind.org.uk. You do not need an appointment to talk to a member of staff over the phone but face to face support is by appointment only. 

National support

  • National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (open 24/7).
  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). You can call the CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you could try the CALM webchat service.
  • Papyrus HOPELINEUK247 is a suicide prevention helpline for anyone aged 35, or if you have concerns about a young person who might be struggling. Call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 or text 88247.
  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing and experiencing a mental health crisis contact the SignHealth Text Crisis service, by texting DEAF to 85258 for free and immediate support. If yours, or someone else’s life is in immediate danger for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose, or you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe you can contact 999 by using the Relay UK service . The service is provided for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired as an alternative option for contacting an emergency service.

Use the  NHS111 online help service or phone NHS 111 if you need urgent help for your mental health, but it’s not an emergency - for example, if you need medication or a prescription and you're unable to contact your GP.

Safeguarding

Are you concerned about an adult or a child at risk? If you witness or suspect abuse you have a duty to report it

If in immediate and critical danger contact the emergency services right away on 999

Safeguarding concerns for adults and children in Herefordshire

The  Herefordshire Safeguarding Boards and Partnerships website provides lots of information on raising concerns about adults, young people and children living in Herefordshire. The website can be accessed by anyone at any time and provides lots of guidance on reporting concerns or abuse.

Concerns about a child

If you think that a child has been harmed or is being neglected, contact the MASH (Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub) or the Police using the details below:

Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH)

If you are a professional, complete the Multi-agency Referral Form (MARF) to make a referral to the MASH. The MARF and accompanying guidance can also be found on the West Midlands Child Protection Procedures website.

Emergency Duty Team

  • (01905) 768020 (out of hours number for when MASH are unavailable)

Concerns about an adult

If at any time you are concerned that an adult is being abused or harmed, please use these contact details.

To report a concern, please complete the safeguarding concern form: HSAB Concern Form. The following document will provide you with advice on how to complete the form: Concern Form Guidance

If you require any advice or have continuing concerns contact the team using the details below:

  • 01432 260715 (Monday to Friday from 9am-5pm)
  • 0330 123 9309 (before 9am, after 5pm, and during weekends and public/bank holidays)
  • Email: Safeguarding@herefordshire.gov.uk

The Advice and Referral Team will assist in any requests for Care Assessments or Carers Assessments. They can be contacted on 01432 260101

If your concern is about a child or young person, please contact the Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) on 01432 260800. For more information go to the page Concerned About a Child .

For more information visit the Herefordshire safeguarding website.

Safeguarding concerns for adults and children in Worcestershire

The Worcestershire Safeguarding website provides lots of information on raising concerns about adults, young people and children living in Worcestershire. The website can be accessed by anyone at any time and provides lots of guidance on reporting concerns or abuse.

Concerns about a child

The Family Front Door, Initial Contact and Referral Team is the central point for all referrals for children and young people aged 0 to 18 years and living in Worcestershire where there is safeguarding or child protection concerns for them.

Please contact the Family Front Door directly telephone 01905 822666. Children’s Social Care respond to levels of need identified at level 4 of the Worcestershire LSCB levels of need guidance.

Please refer to the Worcestershire LSCB levels of need guidance for support in identifying the levels of need a child or young person has and the right referral pathway for that child or young person.

If you have a child protection concern outside of normal office hours please contact our out of hours emergency duty team (EDT) telephone 01905 768020.

Concerns about an adult

You might have concerns about abuse and neglect for yourself or someone you know.

  • if it is an emergency dial 999
  • to report a crime or potential crime to the Police you can phone the non-emergency number 101
  • to report an adult safeguarding concern please call 01905 768053
  • to report an adult safeguarding concern out of hours please call the Emergency Duty Team on 01905 768020
  • if you would like safeguarding advice please phone the Adult Safeguarding Team on 01905 843189 (note this number does not accept referrals)
  • professionals can complete an online form to report concerns about abuse or neglect

For more information and advice visit the Worcestershire Safeguarding website.