Talking Therapies (IAPT)
Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help with common mental health problems like stress, anxiety and depression.
You can access talking therapies for free on the NHS.
You can refer yourself directly to an NHS talking therapies service without a referral from a GP, or a GP can refer you.
Help is available in person, by video, over the phone or as an online course.
To access your local talking therapy service, click the link below for your area.
Basildon and Brentwood IAPT Mid Essex IAPT South East Essex IAPT Thurrock IAPTUrgent Mental Health Care
If you are having thoughts of suicide, are harming yourself or have thought about self-harm, it’s important to tell someone.
These thoughts and feelings can be complex, frightening and confusing, but you do not have to struggle alone.
If you cannot wait to see a doctor and feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, contact one of the organisations below to get support right away.
It’s important to know that support is available, even if services seem busy at the moment because of coronavirus.
In a crisis?
NHS111 Mental Health Crisis Line
The 24-hour service, launched by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT), offers immediate and specialist support to adults experiencing mental health crisis.
Anyone in need can dial 111 at any time and select the option for mental health crisis. You will be connected to our contact centre where trained staff will provide appropriate support and advice 24 hours a day.
The service is for people aged 18 and over and aims to ensure those in need of support can access it quickly when they need it most.
UNDER 18s
If you are under the age of 18 or are the family member of someone under the age of 18 who is in crisis, please call North East London NHS Foundation Trust’s Southend, Essex and Thurrock Children’s and Adolescent Mental Health Services (SET CAMHS).
0800 953 0222
[email protected]
If you need urgent help or out of hours help please call Mental Health Direct 0800 995 1000.
SERIOUS OR LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCIES
If you or someone you know is in mental health crisis and requires serious or life threatening emergency mental or physical care, dial 999 immediately.
Samaritans
When life is tough, Samaritans are here to listen at any time of the day or night. You can talk to them about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how difficult:
- call free on 116 123
- visit the Samaritans website
Papyrus
If you’re under 35 and feel that life is not worth living any more, call Papyrus’s HopelineUK from 9am to 10pm weekdays and 2pm to 10pm on weekends:
- call HopelineUK on 0800 068 41 41
- text 07860 039967
- visit the Papyrus website
Childline
If you’re under 19, you can also speak to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill:
- call Childline on 0800 1111
- visit the Childline website