In this section...

  1. Adult community services
  2. Carers corner
  3. Children's services
  4. Community mental health services
  5. Community response to COVID-19
  6. Dementia and older people’s mental health
  7. Health for Homeless Service
  8. Learning disability services
  9. Medication
  10. Mental health crisis
  11. Personalised care planning
  12. Physiotherapy
  13. SilverCloud
  14. Spiritual and pastoral care
  15. Suicide Liaison Service
  16. Talking Therapies
  17. Transforming wound care
  18. Tuberculosis Service
  19. Useful information following a bereavement
  20. Video appointments
  21. Virtual wards
  22. Wheelchair Service

If you or someone else in in danger

  • If your life is at risk.
  • If you have taken an overdose or are seriously injured.
  • If you do not feel you can keep yourself safe from harm.

Call 999 or go to your nearest emergency department. There are specialist mental health teams that can support you and refer you to other services.

A mental health emergency will be taken as seriously as a physical health emergency. You will not be wasting anyone's time.

If you need urgent help

Call NHS 111, select 2 for the mental health option. They are available 24/7 to listen and determine how best to help. You can also get help from NHS 111 online. The team will tell you if need to go to an urgent treatment unit or minor injury unit.

If you have already been in contact with one of our mental health services, check your safety plan or crisis plan if you have one. You can also contact your mental health team for advice.

Mental health crisis

Are you having a mental health crisis?

  • You might want to hurt yourself, or someone else.
  • You may be very stressed and worried.
  • You might hear strange voices.
  • You might feel that people are watching you or want to hurt you.

Tell someone you trust. This might be someone in your family or a friend. They can help you decide what to do.

Do you know someone who is having a mental health crisis? Show them that you care.

  • Tell them you're worried, this might be a good way to open a conversation.
  • Offer your time to listen. Avoid judgement.
  • Ask open ended questions and avoid interrupting.
  • Ask about thoughts of suicide and thoughts to harm themselves. Download our self-harm and suicide conversations information leaflet (PDF, 65 KB) for advice.
  • Help them work out what to do and offer to help them access help.
  • Look after yourself and your mental wellbeing.

You can support the person to access help or contact a service on their behalf to hear your concerns and determine how best to help.

The Samaritans has guidance on how to support someone who may be experiencing a mental health crisis.

If you need less urgent help

Do not suffer in silence. Get help.

Your GP can advise you about helpful treatments and help you access mental health services. You may be able to refer yourself to some of our services.

You can self-refer to our Talking Therapies Service. This is a free, confidential service for people aged 16 and over who are registered with a GP in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The service provides treatment for common mental health difficulties such as low mood, stress and anxiety.

Suicidal thoughts and self-harm

1 in 5 of us experience thoughts of ending our life at some point in our lives. It is important that you speak to someone you trust, about how you are feeling.

Self-harm

Self-harm happens when a person hurts themselves. It may be with or without intent to end their life. People who self-harm are at increased risk of suicide.

Helplines

  • Samaritans: Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. Call free on 116 123, available 24/7 or find other ways to contact a Samaritan.
  • National Suicide Prevention Helpline: A compassionate and understanding lifeline for those grappling with their mental health or thoughts of suicide. Call free on 0800 587 0800, available 24/7.
  • Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Helpline staff are there to help you explore how you're feeling. Call free on 0800 58 58 58, 5pm to midnight,
  • SOS Silence of Suicide: Support for those in need. Call free on 0808 115 1505, 8pm to midnight weekdays and 4pm to midnight on weekends.
  • Shout: Confidential 24/7 free text support for anyone who is struggling to cope. Text 'SHOUT' to 85258.

Helplines for children and young people

  • Papyrus Hopeline: For people under age 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person thinking about suicide. Call free on 0800 068 4141, available 24/7.
  • Childline: Listen and support anyone under age 19 confidentially with anything you'd like to talk about. Call free on 0800 1111, available 24/7.
  • Shout young people's helpline: Confidential text support for anyone under 19 who is struggling to cope. Text 'YP' to 85258.

Safety and crisis planning

A safety plan is a tool to help you navigate thoughts, feelings and urges of suicide. It may include warning signs that you're struggling, coping strategies you find helpful, help you to plan how to get help and help you to remove or limit access to harm.

Someone you trust, like a family member or friend of health professional can help you to create one which is personal to you.

Below are some examples you can download or print, and tips for completing one.

If you are open to mental health services, you can be supported to complete a safety plan and having a copy in your records can help us to support you in a crisis.

Mental health and wellbeing resources

We have a range of self-help guides, covering topics including depression, anxiety and stress. The NHS website also has mental health self-help guides, including 5 steps to mental wellbeing.

Self-help guides are not intended to replace the advice of a professional. Search for health topic conditions and symptoms on the NHS website.

Cornwall Council's health and social care directory includes mental health signposting.

If there is a service that you think should be added here, contact us.

Children and young people

  • Our children's services, including child and adolescent mental health services.
  • Early Help Hub: The front door to services led by Cornwall Council and the Trust. Professionals, parents and young people can request help for children and young people from pre-birth to 18 and young people with a special educational need or disability up to age 25. Call 01872 324 605, 8.45am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8.45am to 4.45pm on Fridays.
  • NHS mental health support for children and young people.

Domestic and sexual abuse

  • Safer Futures via First Light: A single point of access for anyone of any age and gender in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly who has experienced domestic abuse and/or sexual violence and needs support at any stage of their journey. Call 0300 777 4777, 9am to 8pm, Monday to Friday, or 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.
  • Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC): Offer practical, medical and emotional support. Call their 24/7 information line on 0300 303 4626.
  • Women's Centre Cornwall: offer empowering support to women and girls living with the impact of sexual and domestic abuse. Call their helpline on 01208 77099, 10am to 1pm weekdays and 6pm to 9pm weekends. You cam leave a message out of hours and the team will you call back).
  • CLEAR: Emotional trauma and therapy specialists support impacted by abuse, sexual abuse, rape and other forms of emotional trauma. Providing person-centred counselling, trauma focussed therapy and group activity. Call 01872 261 147.
  • Barnardos: Via Safer Futures, they offer domestic abuse programmes which provide a range of single-sex group support for people who display abusive behaviour within their relationship.
  • WAVES: Free domestic violence and abuse counselling services.
  • National Domestic Abuse Helpline: Call free on 0808 2000 for 24/7 advice and support.
  • Domestic violence and abuse NHS advice.

Housing

  • Cornwall Council: Can help with council housing, homelessness, social housing as well as a range of other issues. If you have a question, use the form on the website or call 0300 1234 161.
  • Cornwall Health for Homeless: Breadline centre.
  • Shelter: Provide support with homelessness ,private renting tenancy deposits, repossession, eviction, repairs, benefits and council housing. Call 0808 800 4444, 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.
  • St Petrocs: Call 01209 200 278, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

LGBTQIA+

  • Intercom Trust: Provides specialist support for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people, including support with homophobic and transphobic prejudice, crime and discrimination. Call 0800 612 3010, 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  • National LGBTQIA+ Support Line: Call 0800 011 9100.
  • MindOut: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and queer mental health service. Call 01273 234 839.
  • YAY! Young and Yourself Cornwall: Call 0800 612 3010, 9am to 4pm , Monday to Friday.

Money, debt, finances and gambling

  • Citizen's Advice Cornwall: Offers free, confidential and independent advise on topics including benefits, debt, housing, pension and has local advisors. Call 0808 812 7156, 10am to 4pm, Monday to Friday.
  • Gambling NHS advice.

Older adults

  • Age UK: Has a wealth of information as well as a dedicated phone line available 8am to 7pm. Call 0800 678 1602, lines are open 365 days a year.
  • Silver Line: The only free confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people 27/7, 365 days a year. They can link callers to local groups and services as well as protect and support older people who are suffering abuse and neglect. Call 0800 470 8090.