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Sometimes it can be a minefield to find the information you need, whether on a personal level or for someone else. We are here to support you and there are lots of other organisations out there that can help too. You are never alone!
Emergency services
999
If you or somebody else is at risk due to a mental health crisis, you should ring for the police or an ambulance.
Mind BLMK – Crisis Café
01525 722 225
Our Crisis Café is available for everyone in Bedford, Luton, and Milton Keynes, between 5.00pm – 11.00pm each evening, 365 days a year. For more information about this service visit our Crisis Café website page here.
Accident and Emergency hospital department
If you feel suicidal and would like to see a professional urgently, you can visit your local hospital accident and emergency department. There will be a duty psychiatrist available to assess your needs and assist in finding the necessary support.
Non-emergency NHS helpline
111
You should use the NHS 111 service if you urgently need medical help or advice but it’s not a life-threatening situation. Choose Option 2 in Bedfordshire and Luton for NHS Crisis teams & CAMHS.
Mental Health Services (Milton Keynes) Single Point of Access
0800 0234 650
Single Point of Access is a Mental Health Crisis Line which offers emotional support and advice to people who require urgent mental health attention, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is open to children and adults of all ages, to people who haven’t previously used mental health services and to carers and family members who might be concerned about someone.24 hr emergency line (MK only). Visit their web page here.
GP surgery:
You can contact your GP if you are in distress, there will be an out of hours or emergency number on their answer machine.
Samaritans
116 123
The Samaritans provide confidential non-judgemental emotional support, 24 hours a day for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide.
National Mind
0300 123 3393
The Mind info Line offers callers confidential help on a range of mental health issues. Calls from anywhere in the UK are charged at local call. Their website also contains useful factsheets on mental health issues and booklets on specific topics can be purchased from their online shop.
Combat Stress
0800 138 1619
If you or your family have served or are currently serving in the UK Armed Forces, you can call the Combat Stress’ 24-hour mental health helplines.
Women’s Self Injury Helpline
0808 800 8088
Emotional support, listening & signposting for women affected by self injury.
For women of any age or background affected by self-injury, whether their own or that of a friend or family member.
Open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 7pm – 9.30pm. Call us for free, confidential, non-judgemental emotional support around self-injury.
Papyrus
08000 68 41 41
Committed to the prevention of young suicide (under 35). Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 10am-10pm, weekends/bank
holidays: 2pm-10pm
CALM (Campaign against living miserably)
0800 58 58 58
This helpline is for men in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find
information and support. webchat: Opening hours: 5pm-midnight
Maytree
0207 236 707
Provides Residential space for those in a suicidal crisis.
Maytree is committed to supporting people that are feeling suicidal, and aim to offer as many people who feel they would benefit from a stay the opportunity to do so. However, due to a person’s medical needs or specific life circumstances it is not always possible to do so.
Childline
0800 1111 or webchat
24-hour counselling service for children and young people. Opening hours: 24/7
Saneline
0300 3047000
Out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information (4pm – 10pm)
Shout
To start a conversation, text the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258
Trained volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safe place. Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service for anyone in the UK. It won’t appear on your phone bill.
Aanchal (Asian Women experiencing domestic abuse)
0800 0124 924
You can call our helpline on for free and confidential advice and support.
Our helpline staff is able to help you in a number of languages, including English, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Gujarati, Tamil, Bengali. We have nearly 40 years of experience in supporting women affected by domestic abuse.
Chums
01525 863924 (enquiry line only)
Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing support for Children, Young People and their families, with other services specifically supporting adults; Babyloss Bereavement Service and Bedfordshire Suicide Bereavement Service.
Mindline Trans+ national helpline
MindLine Trans+ is a confidential mental health support helpline for people who identify as trans, A gender, gender fluid, or non-binary.
Side by side
Side by Side is a supportive online community where you can talk about your mental health and connect with others who understand what you are going through.
Find out more
Mental health A-Z
Information and advice on a huge range of mental health topics from the national Mind website.