Need urgent help?

If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse and you feel like you can't cope with how you're feeling, this can be called a ‘mental health crisis’. In this situation, it is important to get help quickly. Below you can find out what support is available to help you in a mental health crisis.

You should still call 999 or go to A&E if you have an immediate, life-threatening emergency requiring mental or physical health assistance.

Mental health crisis line

Please call 0800 145 6485 and our dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need.  The phone line is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages, including children and young people. Parents and carers can also call the crisis line if they are worried about a young person who is experiencing a mental health crisis.

Please note: this crisis line number is for people in Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, and Wirral. If you live outside these areas, you can use the 'Find a local NHS urgent mental health helpline in England' tool on the NHS website to find your local crisis line number.

Shout text messaging support

Alternatively, the Shout text messaging service is also available if you are unable to call. Text 'BLUE' to 85258 to start a conversation, via text, with a trained volunteer, who will provide free and confidential support. 

Other services than can help in a crisis

  • Call the Samaritans for free on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org
  • Download the 'Stay Alive' app to your mobile phone. The Stay Alive app, developed by Grassroots Suicide Prevention, is a suicide prevention resource packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis. You can use it if you are having thoughts of suicide or if you are concerned about someone else who may be considering suicide

You can find contact details for our CAMHS teams across Cheshire and Wirral in our services and contacts section.

Please call 0800 145 6485 and our dedicated local staff will support you to access the help you need. The phone line is free to call, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week and is open to people of all ages – including children and young people.

For information about urgent mental health services available for people age 18 or over, visit www.cwp.nhs.uk/crisis