People of all ages in England are able to access 24/7 local mental health crisis services directly by calling 111 and selecting the mental health option.
In Birmingham and Solihull, those already engaging with mental health services are asked to continue to contact their existing service. Contact telephone numbers will be in care plans and treatment plan letters.
If you are known to one of our community mental health teams, please contact them directly on the usual phone number or the out of hours number. For general advice, such as housing or benefits information, please call the Birmingham Mind helpline on 0121 262 3555
Those seeking advice and information for people experiencing mental health difficulties, and not a mental health crisis, are encouraged to call the Birmingham Mind Mental Health Helpline (0121 262 3555; Freephone 0800 915 9292) between 9am and 11pm.
You can also email help@birminghammind.org or get in contact the webchat service Helpline – Birmingham Mind
Coping during a crisis
The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis.
This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours.
In an emergency
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
- 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
A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.
Other helpful support
These free listening services offer confidential advice from trained volunteers. You can talk about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- Call 116 123 to talk to Samaritans, or email: jo@samaritans.org for a reply within 24 hours
- Text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19
- If you’re under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
- Papyrus – suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINE247, is a free, confidential, non-judgmental space to talk openly about your thoughts of suicide with our trained advisers. For people under the age of 35. Call 0800 0684141. Text 07860 039967. Open 24/7.
