Urgent Help

There are many different support options for people who need urgent help with mental health issues.

Please remember if there is an immediate threat to life, call 999.

Each person’s experience of crisis is personal to them. It can feel like reaching a breaking point. Or, the world crashing down on you and feeling like you can no longer cope.

If you are feeling very distressed, hopeless or having suicidal thoughts it’s important to know that you are not alone. Talking to someone can help you see beyond how you’re feeling right now. You could try talking to a family member or friend, or, if this doesn’t feel right, there are people who want to talk to you and can help.

Support for people in crisis in Leeds

If you, or someone you’re worried about, needs urgent care or treatment for a mental health crisis call the Single Point of Access (SPA) on Freephone 0800 183 1485 (open 24/7, every day).

You can speak to health care professionals who can refer you to specialist mental health services in Leeds.

There is a handy sheet you can print out which has a list of all the services in Leeds for people in crisis. Keep it in your bag or pop on your fridge or somewhere handy where you can find it easily.

 

Dial House is an out-of-hours Leeds service for people in times of crisis where visitors can relax and have an hour of one-to-one support from the team of crisis support workers.

Visitors who are attending for the first time, can just turn up from 6pm. If you have been before you will need to ring 0113 2609328 or text 07922 249452 from 6pm on the night you want to request a visit (it’s best to ring before 7.30pm if possible). Open Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday – 6pm-2am.

 

Leeds OASIS is a residential short-stay service for people in crisis. Some people are better suited in a homely environment rather than in hospital. The service is set up to feel like an ordinary house and you can stay for up to seven nights. The service is staffed 24/7 by Crisis Specialist Workers. You can ring 0113 260 9328 to ask about the service.

 

The Well-Bean Hope in a Crisis Café is open to people in Leeds who are experiencing a crisis. The cafe can offer emotional one-to-one support for up to one hour, support in a safe social space as well as practical help. You can self-refer to this service – visitors should ring or text first on 07760 173 476 each time they would like to go to the cafe.

 

Support for young people in crisis in Leeds

Are you a young person struggling to cope? Is life getting harder and harder? Are you a parent worried about your child? The NHS in Leeds has a Freephone Crisis Call Line to support children and young people whatever the circumstances by listening, supporting, advising and signposting.

Call 0800 953 0505, Mon – Sun 8am – 8pm.

Visit the Mindmate Leeds website.

Overnight support is available from the NightOwls service. Call them on 0800 148 8244, Text on 07984 392700 or chat online at NightOwls.

 

Support for people in crisis in York

For crisis support in York please call the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust Single Point of Access telephone number: 0800 0516171

This is an all age, telephone number available 24/7 for those living in County Durham and Darlington, Teesside and North Yorkshire and York.

Also visit their Urgent Help page for more information.

You can also text the SHOUT National Crisis line on 85258.

 

Helplines for adults seeking advice and support for their mental health

You might be feeling very low or anxious, or just not yourself, and there doesn’t seem to be any reason why. Or, for example, you may have lost someone close to you, had a relationship break down, or have money problems. If you’re struggling and finding it hard to cope, talking to someone can make all the difference.

For general support or advice about your mental health or that of someone you care for, call the West Yorkshire 24 hour support line on 0800 183 0558.

In Leeds you can also call the Connect Helpline on 0808 800 1212 (6pm – 2am 7 days a week) if you are in distress at night time and need someone to talk to.

The National Suicide Helpline UK, also offers a supportive listening service to anyone who lives across the UK with thoughts of suicide or thoughts of self harm.  They are open 24/7 on 0800 689 5652.  Anybody is welcome to call if you need to talk.

 

Already receiving specialist mental health services?

If you’re already receiving care from Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, then you will have a contact for your Care Co-ordinator or another health professional in the team looking after you.

These contact details might be written in your care plan. If you cannot find this or you need urgent help accessing our services, you can call our Single Point of Access on Freephone 0800 183 1485.

 

Other NHS services

Mental health services are free on the NHS but in most cases you will need a referral to access them, so we’d always recommend starting with a discussion with your GP.

When you need the NHS, visit 111.nhs.uk or call 111 first if you have a medical problem and you don’t know what to do. You can also get help near you by calling the Single Point of Access number on Freephone 0800 183 1485.

Support and advice online
You can find information here about online self-help resources.

Leeds

MindWell – https://www.mindwell-leeds.org.uk/i-need-help-now/

Mindwell is a single ‘go to’ place for information about mental health in Leeds. The I need help now section can help you find telephone support if you need someone to talk to, or places you can go in an emotional crisis. It can also help you find support for issues like bereavement, relationship problems, debt, homelessness and alcohol and drug use.

Print off or download a foldable crisis sheet for up-to-date information.

You can also find information online here about:

  • Services in Leeds, including support you can access without a GP referral.
  • Common mental health problems such as anxiety, stress and low moods.
  • Self-help tools and techniques including videos and animations.

MindMate – https://www.mindmate.org.uk/im-a-young-person/

MindMate is a Leeds-based website for young people, their families and the professionals who support them.  If you are a young person, this website can give you useful tips and information on where to go for help, support and advice in Leeds.

If you are a parent or carer concerned or upset by a child’s or teenager’s behaviour, MindMate also has key resources and information to help you support your child.  Advice is also available for young parents or young people who are expecting a baby and are struggling with their emotional wellbeing.

Support in York for young people

Our Trust provides a specialist CAMHS inpatient service for young people in York who may have more severe mental health and emotional health needs. A young person cannot be self-referred to our service. If a young person or their family/carers feels that they need inpatient care, they need to approach their local community CAMHS team via their GP.

The Go-To – https://www.thegoto.org.uk/ – is designed to be a portal or ‘single point of information’ showcasing the mental health support services and information offered by different agencies in North Yorkshire.

This website will signpost a young person to the most appropriate support and will have lots of useful tips and information to help a young person cope with stress or anxiety.

Young people from North Yorkshire Young Minds Combined – a group made up of members of North Yorkshire’s Youth Parliament and other youth voice groups – helped to design the new website which has sections aimed at young people, parents, carers, GPs and other professionals.

Self-help apps
Stay Alive

The Stay Alive app is packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide.  The app also links you directly to local and national crisis resources and if a resource isn’t listed, you can simply add in your own.

The app is available on Google Play and the iTunes App Store and was developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention, with funding support from Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Network Rail and Switchplane.

Calm Harm

Calm Harm is an app that provides tasks to help you resist or manage the urge to self-harm. You can make it private by setting a password, and personalise the app if you so wish. You will be able to track your progress and notice change.

The app is available on Google Play and the iTunes App Store and is also featured on the NHS apps library.

Both apps are free to download and while these are useful aids in treatment they should not replace it.

Leeds Directory – supporting independent living

The Leeds Directory has information on a wide range of services and organisations that assist and support people to live independently.  This includes, home and garden, personal care, befriending, social activities, recommended tradespeople and more.

You can access the Leeds Directory online or via a friendly telephone helpline on 0113 391 8333.

The NHS website

The NHS website is the UK’s biggest health website with thousands of articles, videos, tools and apps to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.

You can find out more about support and social care services if you or someone you know needs help with day-to-day living because of illness or disability.