Where to get help
Crisis support
If you are in an emergency and there is a risk to life (that can be your own or another persons) call 999
If you are a young person in crisis:
- Call Childline for free to speak to someone about what's happening and how you're feeling (0800 1111)
If you are a young adult in crisis:
Mental health crisis support is also available 24/7 across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes
We have fully trained professionals ready to support young people experiencing a mental health crisis. This is available 24 hours a day all year round by calling the following numbers. Anyone can use and access the service. All numbers are free to call, you won’t be charged:
- If you live in Luton call NHS 111 & ask for ‘Option 2’ or visit https://camhs.elft.nhs.uk/Crisis-Support
- If you live in Bedfordshire call NHS 111& ask for ‘Option 2’ https://camhs.elft.nhs.uk/Crisis-Support
- If you live in Milton Keynes you can reach us by phoning 0800 0234 650 (Freephone) or emailing cnw-tr.spa@nhs.net; we also take calls from 111.
How does the service help?
The service helps by providing immediate access to advice and guidance to those requiring mental health support. We can advise and direct you to the most appropriate services.
When should people contact the service?
The service is available 24/7. If you feel as though you’re in a mental health crisis or believe a friend or family member is then make that call.
How does the service help people who don’t speak English?
Don’t worry if English is not your first language. As well as working within a diverse multilingual team we also have access to an interpreting service.
What should people contacting for mental health crisis support expect?
You should firstly expect a friendly voice on the end of the line, someone who will listen to your concerns and will be able to work with you to get the most appropriate outcome. The call will be a two-way process so do expect some questions. The Mental Health Professional (MHP) will carry out an assessment and together you will devise a plan.
A&E Departments
Additionally, we have CAMHS professional available in A&E hospital departments across BLMK every day from 9am – 9pm, seven days a week. Outside of these hours, you can speak to a trained mental health professional. Addresses are below.
Bedford Hospital A&E, South Wing, 1 Kempston Road, Bedford, MK42 9DJ
Luton & Dunstable Hospital A&E, Lewsey Road, Luton, LU4 0DZ
Milton Keynes University Hospital A&E, Standing Way, Eaglestone, Milton Keynes, MK6 5LD
Additional Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing support
How You Feel Matters
These are co-produced documents which set out clearly how children and young people can access support across Bedfordshire, Luton & Milton Keynes:
How you feel matters…getting help in Milton Keynes
How you feel matters…getting help in Bedfordshire
Local Offers
Bedford and Luton both have Mental Health/Emotional wellbeing hubs and one is due to be developed on Central Beds Local Offer.
Luton
Professionals – Emotional Wellbeing
Luton CYP Mental Health Service Signposting
Milton Keynes
MK CYP MHEW Pathway Professionals
ChatHealth
ChatHealth, is a text service for young people aged 11-19 (or aged 25 with SEND) to confidentially ask for help about a range of issues or make an appointment with a school nurse. They can also find out how to access other local services including emotional support or sexual health services.
Chat Health Bedfordshire TEXT 07507 331450
Chat Health Luton TEXT 07520 616070
https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/luton/chathealth
Chat Health Milton Keynes TEXT 07480 635517
https://www.mkchildrenshealth.cnwl.nhs.uk/chathealth/
Parentline is a confidential text messaging advice and support line for parents and carers of children ages 0-19 years
Parentline Bedfordshire TEXT 07507 331456
https://www.cambscommunityservices.nhs.uk/Bedfordshire/services/health-visiting/parentline
Parentline Luton TEXT 07507 331886
CAMHS - Mental Health Support Teams (Schools)
The Mental Health Support Teams are a new service designed to help meet the mental health needs of children and young people in education settings. They are made up of senior clinicians and higher-level therapists and Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHPs). Senior clinicians and higher-level therapists within the team will be responsible for the supervision and management of EMHPs within the team.
North Bedfordshire: 01234 893355
South Bedfordshire: 01582 707635
Luton: Telephone: 01525 638614
Counselling services
CHUMS (Bedfordshire & Luton)
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CHUMS provides a range of specialist services to support children in difficult circumstances, these include one to one counselling and group support for children and young people across Bedfordshire and Luton with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. Anyone can refer a child to the service, they also accept self-referrals.
CHUMS offers free confidential support and advice for children and young people up to 25 years old.
To find out more visit their website: http://chums.uk.com/bedfordshire-services/
The Youth Informations Service (Milton Keynes)
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The Youth Information Service (YiS) Young Peoples Mental Health counselling service is a brief 6 session model for young people aged 11-21 who live, learn or work in Milton Keynes or the surrounding areas.
To find out more visit their website: https://www.mkyis.org.uk/
Kooth - online
Counselling and emotional well-being service for children and young people aged 11 -25.
The service is anonymous and free at the point of use. On Kooth children and young people can chat online to professional counsellors, read articles written by young people, join forums to receive peer-to-peer support, access self-help materials and keep a daily journal. The regular forums cover topics ranging from exam stress and anxiety to eating disorders and grief.
Young people can also log on to access one-to-one online counselling sessions with a qualified counsellor from 12pm until 10pm on weekdays, and from 6pm until 10pm on weekends