Local mental health helpline
Local NHS trust, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP), has a mental health helpline on 0800 145 6485, for residents of Cheshire West, Cheshire East and Wirral. Open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, it is open to people of all ages, including children and young people who need urgent mental health support. The helpline is part of the NHS Long Term Plan to improve access to mental health support.
What to do if you need urgent mental health Help
- Please call 0800 145 6485 and our dedicated local NHS staff will support you to access the help you need
- The helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to all people of all ages – including children and young people
- The helpline is now the first port of call for mental health help – it is operated by people in your local area who will know how best to support you. If you call NHS111 you may have to wait longer for help and will be redirected to this local service
- Please note A&E and 999 are not the best place to get help for the majority of mental health problems
- You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance
Links to other mental health and wellbeing support available
- For non urgent help and general wellbeing advice, the CWP website contains information and links to resources
- For children and young people there is also a dedicated website http://MyMind.org.uk
- Looking after your mental health (NHS)
- Mind
- Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people
Local Mental Health Cafe
The Crisis Cafe in Crewe ‘Crewecial’ provides a safe, welcoming and comfortable space away from a clinical environment for people in Crisis, and those seeking to prevent the onset of a crisis. The onsite team will provide emotional support and resilience building as well as support people to develop positive relationships.
The cafe is open from 1pm to 10pm, 7 days a week, for drop ins, at 3 Partridge Close, Flat 2, Dunwoody Way, Crewe, CW1 3TQ. Tel: 07587 507 281.
The cafe will provide beverages plus hot and cold snacks.
Self-harm Resources
Support for Young People Who Self-harm and Their Carers
Making the environment safe: be with other people, remove any objects that could cause you harm, avoid places where you’re more likely to self-harm when you have the urge.
Making a self-harm distraction box: fill a box or bag with things you can use to distract yourself when you have the urge to self-harm, kind of like a ‘first-aid kit’ you can turn to quickly. The box should include things that require concentration, that you enjoy and that are safe. The contents might include a colouring-in book, knitting, a bracelet-making kit, various fabrics, a favourite book, a favourite childhood toy – anything that will bring you comfort.
Writing a journal: journalling can be a really helpful way to identify how you’re feeling and what’s making you feel that way. Becoming more aware of your emotions can also help you to become more aware of what leads you to self-harm.
Exercising: exercise helps release physical tension and can be a great way to manage distress. Go for a run or a walk in the park, jump up and down on the spot, or ask a friend to do something active with you.
Resources
Calm Harm App – reduces urges to self-harm and manage emotions in a more positive way (cost free).
Blue Ice App – helps young people manage their emotions and reduces urge to self-farm (cost free).
distrACT App – quick and discreet access to information and advice about self-harm and suicidal thoughts (cost free).
Harmless (www.harmless.org.uk) is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self-harm including support and information to people who self-harm, their friends, families and professionals.
LifeSIGNS (www.lifesigns.org.uk) provide information about self-injury and while they will never tell anyone to ‘stop’, they can support people as and when they choose to make changes in their lives.
NSHN (www.nshn.co.uk) offers support to individuals who self-harm to reduce emotional distress and improve their quality of life.
SelfharmUK (www.selfharm.co.uk) is a project dedicated to supporting young people impacted by self -harm, providing a safe space to talk, ask any questions and to be honest about what’s going on in their life.
Rainbow Journal – a book aimed at helping young people move from self-harm to self-care. It has blank pages for writing about feelings and for drawing. It includes artwork, quotes and poems by young people who self-harm. It can be used on its own or in conjunction with counselling. Available free to under-18s in the UK – www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk/rainbow-journal
Alumni – free, online 7-week course for young people struggling with self-harm. Each course has up to 8 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones/tablets or laptops across the UK. The courses take place on different evenings of the week and are run by friendly, trained counsellors and volunteer youth workings www.selfharm.co.uk
Visyon (www.visyon.org.uk/support) is a charity that supports the mental health of children, young people and their families They offer one to one counselling and mentoring as well as other sessions.
Visyon – Support for Young People
Visyon is a charity that supports the emotional health of children, young people and their families in Cheshire East. Any young person (11+) or parent can call if they need a space to talk, no issue is too small. You can call on 01260 290000, text on 07508074748 or email: [email protected]. They have open access appointments available at various times and days in the week so will work to find one that fits. For more information visit https://www.visyon.org.uk/