Today marks the start of a campaign to raise  awareness of some of  the key mental health services available to people in a crisis.

At the start of the pandemic, we introduced a temporary 24-hour, seven day a week phoneline to take calls from people in a crisis about their mental health or worried about someone else’s.

Now, ahead of the anticipated winter pressures facing the NHS, we want to make sure that all residents in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are aware of all the support on offer.

Fiona Myers, interim director of adult mental health at LPT said: “We’ve been developing many of these services over the past 18 months, some of them in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, so that people had more support during an incredibly stressful time. Now, as we move into the busy winter and Christmas period we want to make sure that people know about the support that is out there and most importantly, how to get hold of it.”

“We also received formal approval on Tuesday from the Clinical Commissioning Groups that we could now make our 24 hour phoneline, the Central Access Point,  a permanent service, following a public consultation.”

The support that’s available from LPT includes:

  • A 24-hour, seven day a week phoneline – the Mental Health Central Access Point – for anyone to call in a crisis, for themselves or a loved one 0808 800330 and a poster to support this.
  • Crisis Cafes – a new network of drop-in centres that provide a safe space, emotional support and one-to-one sessions for people struggling with mental health issues. No appointment needed.
  • A Crisis House – a place of safety where people can go and stay in a crisis. Once someone is under the care of the crisis service, they can be referred to the house for care and support.

Fiona added: “We are expanding our network of cafes so there will soon be one close to where most people live, but for now, the cafes we have are open to all.”

“We are urging everyone to use our services and not to struggle on their own.  Please pick up the phone and take the first step”

Crisis cafes currently running are:

  • Loughborough – Loughborough Wellbeing Centre, Asha House, 63 Woodgate, Loughborough. LE11 2TZ. Open 5-11pm, Monday and Friday.
  • Leicester City Crisis Café, The David Wilson Foundation Centre at St Martin’s House, 7 Peacock Lane, Leicester. LE1 5PZ. 9am – 5pm, Tuesdays.
  • Market Harborough Crisis Café, The Symington Building, Adam and Eve Street, Market Harborough. LE16 7LT. 12pm – 8pm, Wednesdays.

 

If anyone is in a mental health crisis, please call our helpline at any time – 0808 800330. If there is a threat to life, call 999. Or you can call NHS 111 for support.

There are other support numbers for people to contact in a crisis.

  • Samaritans – Call 116 123 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year).
  • SANEline 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm, every day).
  • Combat Stress 0800 138 1619 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) for veterans
  • Shout Text 85258 (24 hours a day, 365 days a year) for anyone struggling to cope

The crisis house in based in Leicester.

A crisis house is a short stay place of safety available for those who are ‘open’ (already being seen) to the Crisis Resolution Home Treatment Team and would benefit from this offer.