The phone will be answered by a trained mental health professional who will be able to listen to your concerns and help you get the support you need. With your permission, they can also access your electronic patient records to better meet your needs and to avoid you repeatedly having to tell us your situation. They can offer advice over the phone, put you in contact with crisis services or refer you to other local services.
Mental health support
If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health, you can now contact your local crisis service calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option.
In emergency situations where there is an immediate risk to life, you should continue to contact 999 or go to A&E.
You can call for yourself, or someone else. NHS 111 is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs.
If you’re deaf or have hearing loss, please use the following link to be connected to local crisis service – NHS 111 – SignVideo.
If you aren't able to make the call yourself, then anyone can call on your behalf - for example a friend, carer, loved one or even your GP. You can also access NHS 111 online via 111.nhs.uk.
The service is available to anyone in England and facing a mental health crisis, which could include:
- Changes to your mood
- Withdrawing from people (close family, friends, or work colleagues)
- Not taking care of yourself like you usually would
- Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living
- Excessive worry
- Feeling out of control or unable to cope
- Feeling anxious about leaving the house
- Hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t
- Thinking about harming yourself.
By calling NHS 111, and selecting the mental health option, we can help to get you the urgent support you need for your mental health.
You can also contact the Lancashire and South Cumbria wellbeing helpline and texting services on 0800 915 4640 or by texting 'Hello' to 07860 022846.
It is important to note the existing initial response service (mental health crisis line) in Lancashire and South Cumbria is still available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by calling 0800 953 0110.
Below you'll find resources, information, support organisations and websites to help support your mental health.
Crisis cafes and urgent drop-in support services
Crisis cafes and urgent drop-in support services are open to people who feel they would benefit from urgent mental health support.
They can offer support to people who are feeling lonely, anxious, or are finding it hard to manage difficult feelings.
Find out more about what is available where you live by clicking the blue box below:
Preston Chorley and South Ribble
The Central Lancashire Haven crisis service is available to people living in Preston, Chorley and South Ribble aged 16 plus. It is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 9pm, and weekends and bank holidays from 10am to 9pm.
Find out more on the website Central Lancashire Haven - Richmond Fellowship | Mental Health Charity Making Recovery Reality
West Lancashire
The Birchwood Crisis and Information Centre is open as below:
- Mondays: 9am – 5pm
- Tuesdays: 9am – 8pm
- Wednesdays: 9am – 5pm
- Thursdays: 9am – 8pm
- Fridays: 9am – 5pm
Weekends: flexible opening hours depending on need.
Find out more on the website The Birchwood Centre
East Lancashire
- Burnley: Church on the Street
- Accrington: Maundy Relief
- Bacup: Greenhouses Project Stubby Lee Park
Blackburn with Darwen
Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre
The Light Lounge offers telephone support seven days a week from 10am to 10pm. Drop in sessions are Monday to Friday 4pm to 10pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am to 10pm. Pre booked appointments are from 10am to 4pm seven days a week. Mental health groups are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays 6pm to 8pm and social groups on a Saturday day time. The service is for individuals in crisis or in an attempt to actively prevent crisis.
Visit the website for more information Blackpool Light Lounge - Richmond Fellowship | Mental Health Charity Making Recovery Reality
Morecambe Bay and South Cumbria
There are two schemes, one in Barrow in Furness and one in Lancaster city. Both schemes are community focussed and are provided by the voluntary sector. The crisis cafe can be accessed through an out of hours on call arrangement as well as a drop-in service from 4pm until 9pm. Access to Lancaster city is via Positive Futures by calling 01524 587223 or 07930436764. Access to Barrow in Furness is via Mindline by calling 0300 561 0000.
Peter Yarwood discusses his mental health and offers advice
Mental health support services
Click on the blue boxes below to access information about local and national mental health support services.
Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust has also created a number of self-help guides (available in easy read). You can download the FREE app from either the Apple or Android store by searching LSCFT.