Need help in a mental health crisis or emergency during COVID-19?
If you are a KMPT patient and need urgent help
Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm, contact your Community Mental Health Team (CMHT). Click here for CMHT phone numbers
At other times, contact your local crisis team. Click here for crisis team phone numbers
Members of the public in need of urgent help
Adults
Anyone in Kent and Medway who is not currently receiving care or treatment from KMPT (sometimes referred to as Kent and Medway secondary care mental health services) can contact the Urgent Mental Health Helpline on 0800 783 9111. This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for urgent advice and support. Find out more about the team here.
Alternatively, if you are looking for emotional support or just want to talk to someone, you can contact the Release the Pressure helpline 24 hours a day on 0800 107 0160. You can also text “Kent” or “Medway” to 85258 for 24 hour mental health crisis support via text.
More information about local services and support can also be found on the Kent and Medway Mental Wellbeing Information Hub here. (https://www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/mental-wellbeing-information-hub)
Children and Young People (under 18)
Residents of Kent and Medway who need to contact Children and Young Peoples Services (sometimes referred to as CYPS or Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services / CAMHS) can contact the 24 hour Single Point of Access (provided by North East London Foundation Trust) on 0800 011 3474 (select option one, then option three).
If you, or some you know, is deaf or hearing impaired
You can contact KMPT using the free national Relay UK service. Details or this service can be found via their website at https://www.relayuk.bt.com/about-relay-uk.html
Alternatively, you can contact NHS 111 via the Relay UK app or using a text phone. Dial 18001 111.
In a life-threatening emergency, you can contact 999 via the Relay UK app or using a text phone. Dial 18000.
Receiving treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic
During the pandemic we are having to adapt the way we offer our services to make sure we can continue to support you in the best possible way during this time.
Don’t worry we are still here for you and you can still expect to receive your care in the following ways:
- By telephone
- Through a secure video conference system or
- Face- to-face (where possible).
If you have any concerns, please contact the team responsible for your care and they will be able to answer your questions.
Further information and support
Help and support available online https://111.nhs.uk/
Email jo@samaritans.org or phone 116 123. Click here to visit the Samaritans website
Call 0800 107 0160 for 24 hour phone support from compassionate helpline staff, trained in counselling skills.
This service is provided by Mental Health Matters and you can visit their website for more information.
Visit https://www.mhm.org.uk/
Safe Havens are now offering face to face mental health support for those living in Kent and Medway. The havens are there to offer mental health and wellbeing support. The havens have an open door policy for anyone needing help who is known or not known to mental health services. All attendees with receive face to face support and an assessment of their needs.
If you are attending any one of the Safe Havens below please ensure you are following government guidelines and attend wearing a face covering.
Canterbury, Maidstone, Medway and Thanet safe havens run by Mental Health matters are available between 6pm-11pm, 365 days a year for those who are 16+.No appointment or referral needed. Anyone who lives in Kent or Medway can use the service regardless of where you live.
Visiting the safe havens
Canterbury
- Email Canterbury.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Age UK, The Centre, Castle Row, Canterbury, CT1 2QY
Maidstone
- Email Maidstone.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Kestrel House, Knightrider Street, ME15 6LU.
Medway
- Email Medway.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Age UK, MacKenney Centre, Woodlands Road, Gillingham, ME7 2BX
Thanet
- Email Thanet.mhm@nhs.net
- Visit: Thanet Safe Haven, Holy Trinity Church, St Mary’s Avenue, Dane Valley, Margate, CT9 3TN
Folkestone and Hythe
Hestia offers an open access walk in service for residents of Folkestone and Hythe who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
The Folkestone Haven is open from 6pm – 11pm weekdays and 12pm – 11pm weekends and Bank Holidays, 365 days a year for anyone aged 16+.
Contact the Folkestone haven:
- Email Folkestone.haven@hestia.org
- Facebook message @hestiafolkestonehaven
- Visit: Rainbow Centre, 69 Sandgate Rd, Folkestone CT20 2AF
Live Well Kent can support you with:
- Managing your money, including debt and benefits
- Housing support and guidance
- Improving your relationships
- Accessing counselling.
- Basic advice on healthy living and helping you set some goals to make positive lifestyle changes
- Supporting you to access a range of free resources including apps and things that are happening in your local community
- Putting you in touch with support to help you quit smoking, lose weight reduce your drinking or drugs intake and look after your sexual health.
- Volunteering
- Community projects
- Arts, music, culture or sporting groups
- Finding IAPT psychological therapies in your area
You can contact Live Well Kent by phoning 0800 567 7699 or visiting https://livewellkent.org.uk/
Visit the NHS website here to find IAPT psychological therapies in Kent and Medway. You can also search for IAPT psychological therapies in your area by clicking here to visit Live Well Kent
A 24 hour helpline has been set up to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.
Text "Kent" to 85258 for 24 hour mental health crisis support via text from trained volunteers.
This service is provided by SHOUT and you can visit their website here https://www.giveusashout.org/
The nearest relative (carer or loved one) has the legal right to request a mental health assessment for their loved one, to decide if they need help from mental health services.
This is an important legal safeguard to help those who may lack the understanding or capacity for the need of help and support to help keep them safe.
Nearest relatives rights from Mind
Download: Nearest relative fact sheet from Rethink Mental Illness
Kent and Medway's Veterans’ High Intensity Service (HIS) provides care and treatment for former armed forces personnel (veterans) and their loved ones who are in a mental health crisis and need urgent help. The service works in collaboration with other services and will also help people who struggle to engage with services.
Visit our Veterans Mental Health High Intensity Service page for more information.
