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Mental health services are free on the NHS, but in some cases you'll need a referral from your GP to access them. 

Get help in a crisis or an emergency

Call 999 for urgent assistance.

If you need help now, but it’s not an emergency call 111.

If you are already known to a mental health service, and feel you are becoming unwell, contact the named person who is responsible for your care or call the service responsible for your care. If you need to contact a health professional out of office hours, you can call 01234 315691.

Mental health services for Bedford Borough residents

Bedford Borough residents can get a range of mental health services through the Bedfordshire Mental Health and Wellbeing Service, including:

  • Improving Access to Psychological Services (IAPT)
  • adult, older adult mental health and learning disability services
  • adult rehabilitation and recovery services
  • Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)

Bedford Borough also have a range of resources available from its Mental Health Hub pages.  

The NHS has 5 Ways to Wellbeing.

Mind BLMK works from Bedford Wellbeing Centre, at 3, Woburn Road in Bedford, but supports people across the whole borough.

Children and young people's mental health support

Talk to your school/college mental health support, a counsellor, doctor, friend, family or a trusted adult. If someone talks to you  - help them get help and get support yourself if you need it.

The Child And Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) has trained NHS mental health professionals who will respond to enquiries relating to getting help from the NHS child and young people mental health service, as well as the CHUMS mental health and emotional wellbeing service. They can also provide self-help resources on how to understand and self help your own mental health. For enquiries, please call 01234 893362.

Information

YoungMinds - Mental health charity with a wide range of resources and information.

Chat Health - Service for young people to confidentially ask for help on a range of issues. Talk to a school nurse /or text 07507 331450.

School Nursing Service - Providing support on a range of issues, 1-1 virtually or in school. Tel: 0300 555 0606.

Bedford Borough Mental Health Wellbeing Hub - A wide range of information regarding services and support available, including early help support. Tel: 01234 718 700.

Getting help

Reflect - Free, confidential, 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text: Reflect to 85258.

Bedford Open Door - Free, confidential counselling for young people aged 13 to 25. Tel: 01234 360388.

Sorted - Free, confidential counselling for children and young people aged 5 to 25. Tel: 01582 891435.

Relate - Free, confidential counselling for children, young people, couples and families. Tel: 01234 356350

CHUMS - Mental health and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people. Tel: 01525 863924

Beat National eating disorder charity with lots of resources and support. 

Urgent support

In an emergency call 999.

NHS 111 - The NHS has a free 24/7 helpline for people of all ages who need urgent mental health support. Young people can talk to a CAMHS professional directly who can arrange additional support. Tel: 111 option 2.

If you need more help

CAMHS - Emotional and Behavioural Team - Provides assessments, support and treatment for children and young people up to the age of 18 for moderate to severe mental health problems

Young Persons Sanctuary Bedford  (Mind BLMK) - Young Person's Sanctuaries are safe, non-judgemental drop-ins that you can come to if you find yourself in crisis or mental distress in the evenings. You will be met by a trained youth mental health worker who will listen and help you identify ways to address the problems you are facing. Tel: 0300 330 0648.