Talk to someone
If you need help for a mental health crisis or an emergency, for yourself or someone else, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment using our ‘I am in crisis and I need urgent help’ section below
However, you may feel you are not in crisis but that you need someone to talk to. On this page you will find guidance on having informal, day-to-day health and wellbeing conversations with colleagues and friends. There are also a range of contacts and services for people that are not in immediate crisis but need someone to talk to on a confidential basis, any time of the day or night.
Follow the links below to find the support and guidance that is right for you.
I am looking for information on talking about my health and wellbeing
It’s good to talk, but it’s sometimes not as easy as it sounds. We’re encouraged to have everyday conversations about how we’re feeling, our mental health and general wellbeing. But the reality for many of us is that this can feel quite daunting.
It’s not unusual to feel unprepared, unconfident or to worry about saying the wrong thing or making a situation worse.
A small conversation about our mental health can make a big difference and there are lots of useful resources available to support you.
Having wellbeing conversations
Wellbeing conversations can be useful at work and at home. They provide the opportunity to discuss our wellbeing in a holistic way, in a safe, inclusive and compassionate space.
They form a key part of the NHS People Plan and also our wider support for teams across Bradford District and Craven, no matter where you work in health and social care.
Here are some useful resources to support you in having wellbeing conversations:
- find out more about having a wellbeing conversation on the NHS website
- download a guide around managing conversations about mental health from Time to Change
- read about six ways you can talk about mental wellbeing from Nuffield Health
Creating your own wellbeing plan
Wellbeing plans are a practical way of helping you to support your own mental health at work, or that of your team if you are a line manager. They provide the opportunity for you to think about and capture what things could support your wellbeing at work.
Here are some useful resources for creating a wellbeing plan:
I am not in crisis but I need to speak to someone
BDCFT Helpline
To support staff with the challenge of Covid-19, the Trust has set up a BDCFT helpline for our staff, alongside primary care and care home staff.
Psychological confidential helpline for staff – sponsored by BDCFT (Freephone 01274 251909 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday) – supported by highly qualified and experienced psychological therapists.
West Yorkshire Health & Care Partnership
The West Yorkshire and Harrogate Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub is for everyone who works in health and social care, not only people who work in the NHS, and not only people who deliver face-to-face care. They help people who are working or volunteering in a wide variety of different roles.
They have a Self Referral Service that can help signpost you to the most appropriate help and support.
Critical Incident Staff Support Pathway
The Critical Incident Staff Support Pathway (CrISSP) is a voluntary, free and confidential service for all staff and volunteers across West Yorkshire and Harrogate. It is coordinated and overseen by the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub.
Psychological support via Bradford District Care Trust (BDCT)
Staff can self-refer for a range of online talking therapy courses through BDCT’s MyWellbeing College, which covers issues such as worry around coronavirus, stress, anxiety and low mood. Courses are delivered via live interactive webinars, or guided self-help with 1-2-1 support, and can be accessed from your own home.
To enrol, visit the MyWellbeing College website or call 0300 555 5551 and press option 3
Schwartz Rounds
Schwartz Rounds provide a structured forum where all staff, clinical and non-clinical, come together regularly to discuss the emotional and social aspects of working in healthcare.
The purpose of Rounds is to understand the challenges and rewards that come with providing care, it is not to solve problems or to focus on the clinical aspects of patient care.
NHS Helpline
24 HOUR MENTAL HEALTH HELPLINE
Call 0800 183 0558 for 24-hour support, advice and information and guidance. A confidential helpline for anyone seeking support for their mental health
Project 5
Project 5 is offering free one-to-one, confidential support sessions for all NHS staff. Led by qualified clinicians and coaches, Project 5 can offer you professional support at a time of crisis.
I am in crisis and I need urgent help
If you are in crisis and you need urgent help, please call 0800 952 1181 to speak to First Response.
First Response offers support 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week to people of all ages living across Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven who are experiencing a mental health crisis.
If you feel you are at risk of serious harm, or there is an immediate threat to life, call 999.
Other services to support you in a crisis
Other services are available to support you if you are in crisis, including:
- National NHS staff support helpline
Free and confidential support line for NHS staff and volunteers run in partnership with Samaritans.
Call 0300 131 7000 or text FRONTLINE to 85258.
Lines are open 7am-11pm, seven days-a-week. The text service is open 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week.
- Samaritans
Free and confidential 24 hour listening support open to everyone. You can talk to the Samaritans about anything that’s troubling you, day or night, no matter how difficult.
Call free on 116 123 (letter and email options also available).
Lines are open 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, 365 days-a-year.
- Shout 85258
Free and confidential 24/7 text message-based crisis support service that will not appear on your telephone bill, open to everyone.
Text SHOUT to 85258.
Lines are open 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, 365 days-a-year.