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Mental health text support service in Herefordshire and Worcestershire
24/7 mental health text service is available for people across Herefordshire and Worcestershire, offering immediate and confidential help whenever it’s needed.
If you text REACHOUT to 85258, you will be connected with a trained mental health professional who can offer free and confidential support. The service is run by Shout , a national crisis text service, partnering with NHS services in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
Paul Abernethie, Operational Lead for Urgent Care for Specialist Mental Health & Learning Disability Services at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said:
We are delighted to continue our affiliation with SHOUT. With 1 in 4 adults in the UK experiencing mental health difficulties each year, this free text service offers an accessible way for people to access timely mental health support by text.
Anyone needing mental health support in Herefordshire or Worcestershire can text 'REACHOUT' to 85258 to connect with a trained mental health worker.
Kane Hazard, NHS Partnerships Manager at Mental Health Innovations, said:
We’re thrilled to continue working with Herefordshire & Worcestershire ICB to offer free, 24/7 mental health support by text message for everyone in Herefordshire & Worcestershire. Through providing Shout’s clinical model across the region, we can help ease demand on 111 and in-person services, ensuring people can access urgent support from trained mental health professionals simply by texting REACHOUT to 85258.
We know that reaching out on the phone or in person can be difficult - texting provides a discreet, accessible way for people to ask for support whenever they need it.
Feedback shows that 54% felt more comfortable texting than talking about their problems*. This service makes it easier for people to get support whenever they need it, especially if talking on the phone feels hard.
This service is one of the ways people can get mental health support in the local area. If you are looking to improve your wellbeing, or you feel that you need more help from mental health services, there is helpful information available online to guide you :
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Herefordshire and Worcestershire Children, Young People and Families Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub — https://camhs.hacw.nhs.uk
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Talking Therapies for over 16-year-olds — https://www.talkingtherapies.hwhct.nhs.uk
How to contact:
The Shout text service is available to anyone experiencing anxiety, loneliness, low mood, stress, or any other mental health challenge. Users can start a conversation simply by texting REACHOUT to 85258 , messages will not appear on phone bills, ensuring complete privacy.
You can find out more about Shout and the text service here: https://giveusashout.org/get-help
Remember: Whether you feel your mental health problems have become much worse or are experiencing problems for the first time, you may need help quickly. Call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for their 24/7 helpline.
If your life is at imminent risk, please call 999 for immediate help.