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Urgent help

Urgent Help

Urgent Help

What to do in a crisis

If you think you need urgent mental health support, you can connect with a crisis response service by calling 

NHS 111, option 2. 
This is available 24 hours a day 365 days a year.
Ask For Help

Local Crisis Drop In Services

Mind Crisis Cafes

A safe, non-judgemental space if you feel you are in high mental distress or crisis in the evenings, where you can be seen by a trained mental health worker. They are open everyday 5 - 11pm for those over 18. 

Working in collaboration with East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) across 3 locations: 
 

  • Bedford Crisis Cafe- Florence Ball House, Bedford Health Village, 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NX
     
  • Biggleswade Crisis Cafe- The Lawns Resource Centre, The Baulk, Biggleswade, SG18 0PT
     
  • Houghton Regis Crisis Cafe- Townsend Court, Mayer Way, Houghton Regis, LU5 5BF
     
  • Luton Crisis Cafe- Luton Wellbeing Centre, 46-56 Dumfries Street, Luton, LU1 5BP
     

For more information please visit their website here.

The Lighthouse- Drop in service

A mental health drop in service staffed by qualified mental health professionals and trained volunteers in Leighton Buzzard. Offering advice for yourself or relating to a loved ones mental health condition, support in a crisis and practical issues including signposting, as well as activities.

Opening hours:
5:30pm - 9pm, Monday and Tuesday
10am - 3pm, Wednesday and Friday

Location-
Whichellos Wharf The Elms, Stoke Road, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, LU7 2TD

For more information please visit their website here.

Helplines

Samaritans

Open 24 hours, 365 days a year offering a safe space to talk. 

Call- 116 123 (free)

Other contact methods on their website.

 

 

Website

Saneline

Out-of-hours mental health helpline offering emotional support and information for those experiencing mental distress, including loved ones.

Open everyday 4-10pm

Call- 0300 304 7000

 

Website

No Panic

A helpline offered by trained volunteers for those who experience panic or anxiety symptoms.

Open everyday 10am-10pm

Call- 0300 772 9844

 

 

Website

You may have talked with your therapist and agreed on an action plan to manage these difficult times. If you haven’t done this yet, and you are finding it difficult to cope with your feelings of depression or anxiety, your therapist will be happy to talk things through with you in your sessions.

If you feel in crisis on a day when you are not due to see your therapist, you could always contact the service on 01234 880400 or elft.bedfordshiretalkingtherapies@nhs.net and we will ask them to contact you although this may not be immediate. If you feel you cannot wait to talk to your therapist you should instead call the number provided above.

When you feel quite desperate or hopeless, it may be because you are stuck in a rut of repeated thoughts and/or actions. Just doing something small to change this pattern can help.

If you find yourself stuck in a loop of thinking, make a deal with yourself to do something you’ve enjoyed in the past, something like taking a short walk to get some fresh air, or listening to a favourite piece of music, just for 10 minutes or so, just to see if you feel any better.

For some people, talking with friends and/or family can help in a crisis. If you have a close family member or a friend you get on well with, they might be the best person to turn to if you’re finding yourself unable to cope.