On this page you will find support offers available to staff provided by organisations we are working closely with across Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes.
- Book an emergency GP appointment.
- If you need support outside normal office hours or at week-ends you can contact:
- NHS 111
- In the event of a severe risk of harm: Visit A&E or call 999: many hospitals now have a Liaison Psychiatry Team, should this service not be available the A&E will contact the local on – call mental health service.
- The Samaritans operate a service 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, if you want to talk with someone in confidence (Free phone 116 123) / 0208 368 6789
- HOPEline (young adults) (Weekdays 10am to 5pm, 7pm to 10pm - Weekends 2pm to 5pm) 0800 068 4141
Local services
- Milton Keynes Crisis team: 0800 0234 650
- Bedfordshire and Luton crisis team: 01582 556971
NHS England: Supporting our NHS people
NHS England have a range of additional support offers in place for our NHS colleagues which suit a range of different health and wellbeing needs.
NHS staff can talk to volunteers about anything that's troubling them. Call 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org, alternatively, you can text FRONTLINE to 85258 for support 24/7 via text.
This service is for doctors and dentists with information and resources gathered together to help signpost staff to routes for support.
Hospice UK are operating a free bereavement support line which can be accessed from 8:00am – 8:00pm, seven days a week. A team of fully qualified and trained bereavement specialists are available to support you with bereavement and wellbeing issues relating to loss experienced through your work. Call 0300 303 4434.
Crisis Cafes are safe, non-judgemental spaces that you can come to if you find yourself in crisis or mental distress in the evenings. You will be met by a trained mental health worker who will listen and help you identify ways to address the problems you are facing.
Who are the Crisis Cafés for?
Adults (18+) who are experiencing severe mental distress or crisis.
What can you expect?
- A safe, calm and relaxed atmosphere
- A one-to-one session with a trained mental health worker
- Support to identify positive mental health coping strategies
- Advice and guidance about other support services available in your area
Do you need an appointment?
Each Crisis Café is now operating a drop-in service and an appointment is not required.
Milton Keynes also has a Crisis phoneline, which can be contacted between 5.00pm – 11.00pm on: 01525 722 225 (for Milton Keynes residents only)
Where are the Crisis Cafe's based?
- Luton Crisis Café: Luton Wellbeing Centre, 46-56 Dumfries Street, Luton, LU1 5BP
- Bedford Crisis Café: Florence Ball House, Bedford Health Village, 3 Kimbolton Road, Bedford, MK40 2NX
- Milton Keynes Crisis Café: 226 Queensway, Fenny Stratford, Bletchley, Milton Keynes, MK2 2TE.
- Central Bedfordshire Crisis Café: Mind BLMK, The Rufus Centre, Steppingley Road, Flitwick, Bedfordshire, MK45 1AH (4 days a week, Monday – Thursday)
What are the opening times?
Apart from Central Bedfordshire (see above), our Crisis Cafes are open seven days a week, 365 days of the year, between 5.00pm – 11.00pm.
If you would like further information about Crisis Cafés, please email at: crisiscafe@mind-blmk.org.uk or call: 0300 330 0648 (open 9am – 4:30pm). You can also visit the Mind BLMK website.