As children and young people head back to school, college and university, specialist teams at Livewell Southwest are working around the clock to support anyone in Plymouth who is experiencing a mental health crisis.
There is now a single phone number if you or a loved one ever need urgent support – call NHS 111 and select the mental health option.
It is open 24 hours, every day of the year.
If you aren’t able to make the call yourself, you can ask a friend, or someone else that you trust to do it for you to get advice on your behalf.
Equally, if you’re worried about someone you care about, you too can call for help.
What happens when you call?
The phone will be answered by a trained mental health call handler who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need.
This can be for things like:
- Changes to your mood
- Feeling scared or hopeless
- Not taking care of yourself like you usually would
- Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living
- Thinking about harming yourself
- Having trouble with family or friends
- Being anxious about leaving the house
- Feeling bullied
Our team are trained to help people of all ages but know this time of year can be particularly difficult for children and young people at the start of a new term.
First Response Mental Health Crisis Telecoach Matt said: “It can be daunting reaching out for help, especially if you haven’t had to do it before but we are here 24/7.
“We can have a word with mum and dad if you’re struggling to share with them because you don’t know how to talk about it. Likewise, if there are issues at school, we can approach the school on your behalf.”
Mental Health Crisis Telecoach Matt
First Response Mental Health Crisis Telecoach Victoria said: “You will never get into trouble for calling us because calling us when you are struggling is the right thing to do.
“We take phone calls every day. We really do understand what you are going through.”
Mental Health Crisis Telecoach Victoria
Senior Mental Health Practitioner Richard said: “We can support you through your crisis. That might just mean a ten-minute phone call, or that crisis could be something a little bit more, where we need to get other teams involved. But we will discuss that with you and will work with you to find the best way forward.”
Senior Mental Health Practitioner Richard
First Response Mental Health Crisis Telecoach Scott said: “We are in a very trusted position where we could be the first person that you are telling. I feel very privileged to be that person that is being confided in.
“If something is causing you distress, or worrying you, then it’s important to us.”
Mental Health Crisis Telecoach Scott
Team Manager Lee Stone said: “It has been very rewarding to see the evolution of 24/7 mental health crisis call services across the UK, particularly now that people can get help via NHS 111. In partnership with Children’s and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), Livewell Southwest has improved its support for children and young people in crisis, whilst continuing to help adults.
“The Livewell Southwest First Response service took more than 28300 calls between July 2023 to August 2024. This demonstrates the critical need for a round-the-clock service and highlights the importance of a dedicated team to support anyone in Plymouth who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.”
In emergency situations where there is an immediate risk to life, you should continue to contact 999 or go to the Emergency Department.
