PEOPLE across Worcestershire have 24/7 mental health text service available, 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 and learning disability services at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, said: “We are delighted to continue our affiliation with Shout.
“With one in four 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 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 and Worcestershire ICB to offer free, 24/7 mental health support by text message.
“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.
“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 per cent felt more comfortable texting than talking about their problems.
Visit giveusashout.org/about-us/about-shout for more information.
