What we know is that the experience of one person and their perception of a mental health crisis are as unique and individual as the person and what for one person may feel manageable, may for another person feel completely devastating or overpowering.

A mental health crisis may take a number of forms including, but not limited to, anxiety or panic attacks, psychotic experiences such as hallucinations, feelings of paranoia, and relapse of other serious mental illness or thoughts of suicide or acts of self harm.

These are some of the feelings and thoughts you may identify with:

• Terror
• No escape
• Despair
• Feel out of control
• Guilty
• Don’t feel real
• Overwhelmed
• Undeserving of help
• Trapped
• Lonely and isolated
• No escape – only one way out
• Sad
• Need to make this stop
• Will i burden others?
• Hopelessness
• Feel disconnected from anything

Try and pick up the phone and speak to someone who can help you, this could be a friend or family member or one of the services listed below. This person will try and help you by being compassionate, taking your situation seriously and not judging you. It’s important to link into services where you’ll find the right support for you, these services below are widely recognised for the support that they offer.

Have a look at our NHS Apps

NHS Digital have developed a range of apps to provide you with straightforward information about anything from  first aid, dealing with stress, to learning how to improve the way you get off to sleep. Some apps provide information and tips, others are in the form of a short course with actions and activities you need to do every day.

The content of all these apps have NHS approval so you can be sure that the information is valid, accurate and follows NHS guidelines. Take a look. You might find a solution to an issue you have been trying to address in your personal life.

Click here to see what is available.

Crisis Safe Space

With Open Mental Health, we are able to offer out-of-hours support for anyone who feels like they are really struggling with their mental health. Instead of going to A&E, making an urgent doctor’s appointment or suffering in silence, you can visit one of our offices across Somerset in Bridgwater, Yeovil, Shepton Mallet, Taunton, Wells and Glastonbury. There you will find a supportive member of staff who will be willing to listen and be able to help you with your problems, whatever they may be.   Bookings can be made by HTT or the CMHT or other agencies and services, by phoning Mindline 01823 276 892.

Here is our list of services and times:

• Taunton (Mind in Somerset): Monday – Sunday: 6PM – 10:00PM Saturday and Sunday 12-4PM
• Sussex Lodge, 44 Station Rd, Taunton Somerset TA1 1NS
• Yeovil (Mind in Somerset): Monday – Sunday: 6PM – 10:00PM Saturday and Sunday 12-4PM
• Yeovil Foyer, Peter St, Yeovil BA20 1PN
• Bridgwater (Second Step): Friday – Sunday: 6PM – 10:00PM
• Citizens Advice Sedgemoor, Royal Clarence House, 3 High Street, Bridgwater, Somerset
• Glastonbury (Second Step): Friday: 6PM – 10:00PM
• Sweet Track Centre, 44A High Street, Glastonbury, BA6 9DX
• Shepton Mallet (Mind in Somerset): Monday- Thursday: 6PM – 10:00PM
• 57c High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AQ
• Shepton Mallet (Second Step): Saturday: 6PM – 10:00PM
• 57c High Street, Shepton Mallet, BA4 5AQ
• Wells (Second Step): Sunday: 6PM – 10.00PM
• Elim Connect Centre, Portway, Wells, BA5 2BE

Please phone 01823 276 892 before though so we know that you are coming, and note that we cannot take anyone under eighteen or under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Due to health and safety procedures we cannot guarantee there is an accessible toilet facility on site.

For more information on dealing with a mental health emergency, please visit the NHS website. For services available in the county specifically, please visit the Somerset Foundation Trust page.

If you are feeling suicidal or if you have self-harmed and are concerned about it, please dial 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.

Do you need urgent help now?

Somerset Partnership provides a range of services across the county to support people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

Home treatment Teams – These teams are available to assess your situation quickly and decide where the best place for you to receive support from is.

Home treatment teams also operate as an alternative to a hospital admission and support people in leaving hospital to get home as quickly as possible.

The teams are available in 4 main localities in the county on these numbers below and provide 24 hr, 7 day a week service.

What to expect when you call the team

If you are a friend or family member or concerned about someone presenting in a mental health crisis please call to discuss the situation with the team who will offer advice and options.

If the situation is life threatening please call 999 as we cannot respond to situations immediately.

We can often speak with you promptly at the time you ring, but there are times when our staff are visiting people or on the phone. Please leave us a message with your name and number and we will phone you back as soon as possible. Your call really matters to us so please do leave us a message. We will also ring you back during any call so that the call isn’t costing you. If we can’t immediately speak with you, please ring the Samaritans on 116 123 24 hrs or Mindline 01823 276892 during the hours above.

If you are ringing for yourself staff will ask you where you are, and if you are with anyone. They will be seeking reassurance with you about making a plan to maintain your safety whilst you are talking and after ending the call. Staff will also need to check your name and where you live.

If you haven’t spoken to us before we will be gaining information about your situation and looking at supporting you with compassion, validation of your difficulties and supporting you to look at short term solutions to your situation. We will be looking at supporting you in developing a safe plan for you if that is what’s needed.

If you have spoken with us before we will be trying to focus on your safety plan, what works for you in a crisis or when things are deteriorating and focus on these interventions with you. Staff will be compassionate and validating of your situation.

Some of your symptoms may feel very intense and uncomfortable, however these will pass. Staff will direct you to an intervention that will try and reduce these symptoms, by following the links to these.

If you have been drinking or are under the influence of substances we would be able to offer basic advice, and be asking you to call us back when able to think more clearly. We would be advising you about keeping safe until you are able to engage in interventions. If your situation is life threatening we would be directing you to emergency services.

By the end of the call we would hope to make you aware of other services and organisations that will hopefully further support you in your recovery.

If staff are immediately concerned about your welfare they’ll be discussing the next steps with you, and with your family, carers and support networks with your agreement.

If you are ringing for a family member or friend we are happy to receive your concerns and observations and will provide support and advice to you about how to manage the situation. Please be aware that our services and contacts with people are confidential, and we may not be able to give you specific personal information about a family or friend unless they are happy for us to do so. We will take any concerns you have seriously and advise on the appropriate course of action.