If you are worried about the immediate health and safety of an individual, please contact the emergency services directly on 999
Urgent help with mental health
Do you, or someone you care about, need urgent mental health support?
- 24/7 support is available over the phone. Call NHS 111, selecting option 2 for mental health. This number is open 24 hours a day and is totally free and confidential.
- There is also a text message service now available on 0748 063 5199 (responses within 12 hours).
Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés
There are Neighbourhood Mental Health Cafés spread around Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, run by trained and supportive staff, who are there to listen and provide the practical support you may need when you need it most. All the locations and opening times are on the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust website
If you need extra support for issues with mental health, you can find resources, advice and information about local organisations below.
Samaritans
If you have feelings of distress or despair:
- Call the free support line 116 123 (24 hours a day)
- Email jo@samaritans.org
- Go to the Samaritans Leicester branch to talk to someone
Tellmi
Commissioned by the ICB, this is a free digital mental health service for adults and young people aged 11+ who live in Leicester, Leicestershire, and Rutland (LLR). Visit Tellmi digital mental health service to download the app and get started.
Once you register your LLR address details, all the service offers will be available to support you.
LLR NHS Talking Therapies
LLR NHS Talking Therapies is a free, confidential service available to anyone aged 16 and above, who is registered with a GP and living in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland (LLR). However, there’s no need to go through a GP – you can refer yourself online or by phone and you'll be offered a full mental health needs assessment with a mental health professional within 14 days, from the point of referral.
The service supports you with common mental health difficulties such as low mood, anxiety and stress, including when these are triggered or worsened by life pressure, like work, relationships, health issues or major life changes
Access to treatment can begin from around 4 weeks, depending on the type of support recommended. A wide range of evidence-based therapies are available, including one-to-one, group, digital and guided self-help options.
Other LLR Talking Therapies support
Bite-sized learning for busy lives (monthly webinars)
These free, 1 hour webinars run every month and explore real-world topics that matter – from stress and sleep to loneliness, trauma, finances and more. You’ll pick up helpful tips, tools, and signposting advice to support others – and yourself.
Whether you're a professional, volunteer or simply someone who cares, the expert-led sessions are a flexible, accessible way to grow your mental health knowledge all year round – visit Vita Health Group (Eventbrite).
Directories
Joy website (directory)
A large list of support services is now available on the Joy website. The directory can be filtered by location and the type of support or activity you are looking for. The services on the website are provided by statutory partners (eg. the NHS, local authority) and voluntary sector organisations (including many commissioned programmes).
MyChoice (directory)
MyChoice is a directory for care and support services for people living within the Leicester City area. It contains products and services to help you to live as independently as possible.
First Contact Plus (directory)
First Contact Plus is an online tool which helps adults in Leicestershire find information about a range of services all in one place.
Other mental health needs resources
This set of resources is designed to help you find the right support to meet your mental health needs.
NHS Choices - 5 steps to mental wellbeing takes you through ways to improve your mental health and resilience.
Adults
Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust - Helpful documents for your mental health and wellbeing
Pregnant women or new parents
If you’re feeling down before or after the birth of a child:
- visit NHS Choices - Feeling depressed after birth
- talk to your Midwife or Health Visitor
- contact your GP (if you aren’t registered with a GP you can find and register with a GP)
Taking care of babies and young children
- get advice about feeding your baby
- visit your local children’s centre
- find out more about Health for Under 5s
Children and young people
You can access services especially for children and young people experiencing emotional difficulties.
- Resources to support children and young people's mental health
- Healthy Together for 0 to 11 years (up until year 6 of primary school)
- Teen Health 11 to 19 service – young people can now access the service by completing the Teen Health 11 to 19 referral form This same form can also be used by any professional with the young person’s consent.
- Health for Teens - Feelings
- Health for Teens - Feelings
- NHS - Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
- Beyond bullying
Mental health and substance use support
Guidance on the services available to safely support you with mental health issues and/or problematic use of substances – It's important to be directed to the most appropriate service or intervention. In most cases Local Area Coordinators will be able to offer you (or people you work with) the best route for additional support.
Local Area Co-ordination is a person-centred approach which focuses on your strengths and the assets of the community you live in. We look at how these assets be used to improve your quality of life, and make sure your communities are inclusive.
Find out if there’s a Local Area Co-ordinator in your area:
Information for professionals
For more serious concerns regarding someone’s mental health, please refer to Mental Health Crisis Support for information on the services available. You may also find other substance use support information useful.