‘Emergency number for mental health’
We’re calling on the Government and the NHS to introduce urgently a three digit national lifeline for people experiencing mental health crises and suicidal thoughts.
Establishing a lifeline as the equivalent of 999 will offer an easily remembered number to make it simpler for those in crisis to access the help they desperately need.
The lifeline would be answered by fully-trained mental health professionals. Callers would be assessed, offered immediate intervention where needed, with the caller then routed to the appropriate service. The lifeline would also be reached by text and online.
A number operating 24 hours a day every day sends out a powerful message that the country takes mental health crises as seriously as other medical emergencies and will help reduce the stigma surrounding suicide and mental illness.
The lifeline will relieve pressure on 999 services, particularly the police, and hospital A&E services, so freeing up already stretched resources to deal with other emergencies.
Currently, many helplines provide much-needed support, but some operate in local areas and do not provide a 24-hour service. This means knowing who to turn to when facing a mental health emergency is confusing, overwhelming and off-putting.
Given the well-documented deterioration of the nation’s mental health, we believe the country urgently needs a three digit lifeline for people experiencing mental health crises and suicidal thoughts.
If you would like more information on our campaign or to support us on this campaign – please contact us here – using the subject line: ‘Mental Health Emergency Helpline’
Peer-to-Peer Support
Campaigning for increased accessible peer-to-peer / friendship group support for young people suffering from trauma or crisis in their mental health and impacted by peer suicide.
This campaign will focus on highlighting peer-to-peer / friendship group support as a key resource for young people suffering mental health trauma or crisis – especially where impacted by peer group suicide.
We want to increase the visibility and ease of access to peer-to-peer support – as an alternative to the traditional helpline offer. Our experience of talking to Cal’s peer group is that what they really need is a relatable group where they can feel ‘understood’ and a sense of collective share and heal with trusted friends and peers of their own age group – especially following the loss of a friend and peer to suicide.
We have completed a survey of over 300 young people to inform how THEY would like peer-to-peer groups, in this context, to operate. We are currently developing a draft proposal to set up a peer-to-peer pilot group so that we can further gain insight into the support young adults impacted by peer suicide, really need.
Please contact us if you would like to support us in this important campaign.
‘Mind: YOUR Language’
Research into the language used by young people suffering mental health trauma or crisis, when asked to define how they are feeling right now.
We want to capture the language, terms, words and phrases that young people use when describing how they are feeling emotionally – and in particular – when talking about their mental and emotional state. This way we can better and more intuitively signpost young people to the most appropriate support they need at THAT time!.
Often – a list of helplines is not the answer. By better understanding the language used – we can interpret via machine learning, data mining and AI – the right support at the right time – be that emergency intervention or longer-term mentoring or counselling support.
We aim to engage young people (18-30) – across the widest demographic spectrum in the study and invite research partners; interested stakeholders and corporate partners to work with us on this important project.
For more information or to express interest in participating in this research project: click here