Mind

We were in Parliament today. Mental health support right now isn’t working - and it's time for a new solution. That was our message to MPs and decision makers.

Too many people are waiting until they reach crisis, struggling to navigate fragmented services or being passed from one organisation to another without ever getting the support they need.

People are expected to fit the system instead of the system adapting to them.

That needs to change.

We are proposing a new solution to mental health support. Same-day open access.

Instead of asking whether someone meets the threshold for a particular service, it starts with a high-quality conversation to understand the whole person and connect them with the right support. That could be clinical care, peer support, housing or employment advice, community services, or a combination of these.

The principle is simple: there should be no wrong door.

This is not about replacing existing mental health services or removing clinical judgement. It is about redesigning how people access support so they reach the right help, first time, before their needs escalate into crisis.

By making access simpler, more person-centred and more joined up, Open Access has the potential to improve people's experiences, make better use of scarce NHS resources and reduce pressure across the wider system.

We’re excited to work with the UK Government, MPs and our friends across the sector to make this happen.

Thank you to Liz Twist MP for hosting us and for your unwavering support, and to Minister of State Alison McGovern MP for your heartfelt speech and continued commitment to this important work.

Lastly, we would not be in these rooms and having these conversations if it wasn't for your support. Whenever you sign a petition, or email your MP to attend our event, it makes a huge difference. We could not do what we do without you.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day.

Please take some time to read this. This information might be upsetting or difficult to read. But reading it could make all the difference to someone who is feeling suicidal right now. It’s a long post – but we hope it’s worth it.

This is our advice on how to support someone who feels suicidal.

“The main aspect of supporting someone through this is compassion, listening and most importantly not over-reacting or becoming upset.”

1/ Ask them if they are suicidal

You may worry that this might indirectly encourage the person to act on their feelings. But asking simple, direct questions about su***de can make it easier for people to open up and seek help. Many people feel relieved and less isolated when they're asked.

2/ Encourage them to talk about their feelings

This could be with you or someone else they trust. They might prefer a helpline. Be flexible with what works for them. They might want to talk in person, over the phone, or online.

3/ Listen without judging and offer emotional support

Try not to focus on solving things or making the feeling go away right now. Just listen to what they have to say.

4/ Ask if they have a safety plan

This is a plan someone can write to describe what helps them cope when feeling suicidal. Like how to keep themselves safe and what support they find helpful. If they don’t have one, you can help them make one. We have some links to plans you can use on our website.

5/ Stay with them while they’re feeling distressed

Or share this responsibility with others if you can. If you can’t be there in person you can check in regularly over the phone or online.

6/ Encourage them to seek treatment and support

You can ask gentle, neutral questions to encourage them. Like 'have you tried speaking to your GP?' or 'do you have any ideas about what might help you?'

7/ Offer practical support

Based on what they tell you they need. They might be really struggling with day-to-day tasks. Or they may need support to talk to healthcare professionals.

8/ Don't make promises you can't keep

It can feel very scary when someone is having suicidal thoughts. You might feel like you should say anything you can to make them feel better. But it can be damaging if you promise someone something when they're vulnerable that you don't intend to follow through with. If you're not able to support them, make sure you tell someone who can.

Visit our website for more information. We’re here to support you too. It can feel really scary but supporting someone or helping someone find support could make all the difference. We’re not a crisis line so if someone is in immediate danger please phone 999.

Today is World Su***de Prevention Day 💙

Please reach out if you need support. Here is a list of organisations that can help. No matter how hard things are right now, you can get better with the right support. You are not alone. Please share this so others know where to turn. You never know who it could help.

We wanted to share this message ahead of World Su***de Prevention Day tomorrow.

Please know that with the right support things can get better.

If you need support right now, call our Infoline on 0300 102 1234 (open weekdays 9-6pm) or visit our website.

You are not alone.

Our statement on the closure of Papyrus.

We’re incredibly saddened to hear that Papyrus has entered administration.

For over 30 years, they have offered vital support to young people across the UK through their su***de prevention helpline.

When young people needed them most, they were on the other end of the phone.

It’s difficult to accept for our sector that such an invaluable, lifesaving service has gone into administration.

The impact they have had is immeasurable and we send our support to them during this exceptionally difficult time.

If you or someone you care about is experiencing suicidal thoughts, we know how upsetting this news may be.

You can call our Infoline on 0300 123 3393, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm, or visit our website.

For help outside of these hours or more specialist support around su***de prevention, please contact Samaritans on 116 123, text Shout on 85258 or NHS services on 111.

A message from Dame Kelly Holmes:

“This summer, people across the country took on the Crowns for Causes challenges in partnership with the Postcode Lottery and Strava, turning movement into vital support for Mind.

Having experienced many things including depression and anxiety myself, I know first-hand how important it is to have access to the right support when you need it. That’s why what you’ve achieved here means so much.

Having experienced many things including depression and anxiety myself, I know first-hand how important it is to have access to the right support when you need it. That’s why what you’ve achieved here means so much.

This money will help Mind continue providing vital mental health support across England and Wales, at a time when the need for it is greater than ever.

So to everyone who got involved, thank you! What you’ve achieved together for mental health is genuinely incredible, and you should be really proud."

We need a new solution for mental health support.

Too many people are ending up in A&E because there is nowhere to turn to in their community.

The current system isn’t working.

And it hasn’t worked for decades.

It’s time for new answers.

You should have access to support on the day you need it.

Support in your local area.

Support that makes you feel seen.

Without having to wait months, or even years.

Instant access to a conversation about your needs.

We call this same-day open access support.

No more endless waiting lists. No more getting bounced from one mental health service to the next. No more feeling worse while we wait for help.

With same-day open access, you get the support you need, when you need it and before problems grow.

And we’re calling on the Government to roll it out across the country.

Tag your MP in the comments and encourage them to attend our event in parliament on 10 September.

Thank you Raye for your wise words at Reading and Leeds Festival ♥️

If you'd like to talk to us, we're always here for you.

We have Side by Side which is our online peer support community available 24/7.

Call our support line- 0300 102 1234 (open weekdays 9-6pm).

Or email us at [email protected] for mental health information and signposting.

6-year-olds and older children are ending up in A&E in mental health crisis. This is deeply concerning.

There has been a sharp rise in the number of 6-17-year-olds attending A&E for mental health. Some then had to wait 12 hours to be seen. This needs to be a wake up call for our government.

"A&E can be a frightening environment for anyone in mental health crisis, let alone a child. Making them spend more than 12 hours there is simply unacceptable." Gemma, Mind.

A&E is not always the best place for someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Better support could often be provided in the community. Alternative models, such as same-day open access, would be better at ensuring people get support as soon as they need it.

Children should not have to reach crisis point to get the support they need.

We must get people support today so we can save lives tomorrow. The new mental health strategy must improve early access to care. We need to have support available to people where and when they need it.

You can help us create change. Invite your MP to our parliamentary event where we will explain how the UK government can implement same-day open access across the country. It's heart-breaking to see news like this. Our mission to get people access to support on the same-day they need it aims to stop horrible headlines like this.

https://campaigns.mind.org.uk/page/198858/action/1?ea.tracking.id=fbo&utm_content=SeeMeNow_EmailMP_ActiveConsent_1&utm_campaign=open-access&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Everyone should have access to mental health support that makes them feel seen, really seen. On the same day they ask for help.

We won't stop campaigning until it happens.