A better Medway

Suicide prevention

In an emergency

If you do not feel you can keep yourself or another adult safe from immediate risk of harm, you should:

  • phone 999
  • go to the nearest accident and emergency (A&E) department of your local hospital
  • phone the Kent and Medway Partnership Trust (KMPT) free 24-hour helpline for urgent mental health support and advice: 0800 783 9111.

For emergency children and young people's support, phone Single Point of Access on 0800 011 3474 (select option 1 and then option 3).

Hub of Hope

Hub of Hope is the most comprehensive and expanding national database of support services primarily for all mental health related support. It also extends to dementia, addiction, and other areas.

The Hub of Hope app is free to download from Google Play or the App Store.

Take a look at the hub.

Self-harm

Emerge advocacy

Emerge is a charity that provides short-term support to young people aged 10 to 25 years who find themselves in A&E because they are struggling with anxiety, self-harm or suicidal thoughts.

They're made up of a team of youth support workers who are experienced in this area and here to help. Emerge’s team give their time to provide distraction, encouragement, care and can help you to process your thoughts and feelings.

Emerge are available to chat over the phone or via text on 07983 136 215. Or you can ask your doctor or nurse to make a referral to the team.

Take a look at how they can help.

Alumina

Alumina is a free, 7 week online course for young people aged 14 to 19 years who are struggling with self-harm.

Each course can host up to 8 young people, all accessing the sessions from their own phones, tablets or laptops across the UK.

The courses take place on different evenings of the week and are run by friendly, trained counsellors and volunteer youth workers.

You don’t need an adult to refer you or sign you up, and no-one will see or hear you during the sessions – you’ll just join in via the chatbox.

Alumina can help you find your next steps towards recovery, wherever you are on your journey. Find out more on the Alumina website.

Support services

These services are free and offer confidential advice and support from trained volunteers.

Find out more about each service by clicking the links in the list below:

Medway Safe Haven

If you are feeling distressed, frightened, overwhelmed or that things are too much for you right now, Medway Safe Haven can help.

The Medway Safe Haven can offer face-to-face support and is available to anyone aged 16 and over.

The Medway Safe Haven Gillingham is open 6pm to 11pm every day including weekends and bank holidays. Phone them on 07850 901 151 or 07808 795 036.

Address:

Mackenney Centre
Woodlands Road
Gillingham
ME7 2BX.

Visit the Medway Safe Haven website. 

Release the Pressure

It's natural to feel anxious or under stress in uncertain times. If you are feeling the pressure today, do not suffer in silence.

Release the Pressure is a free, confidential 24-hour service. Support is available whenever you need it.

To get in touch you can:

Release the Pressure is provided by independent charities and funded by Kent County Council and Medway Council.

Healthy mind

A collection of self-help techniques to help you improve your mental health.

Find out more on our healthy mind page.

Safety planning

Download the free #StayAlive app to create your own safety plan. 

Find out more information about creating safety plans.

Release the Pressure can also help if you are worried about someone else but do not know how to help or start the conversation.

Read the help is at hand guide if you have been affected by suicide.

The Samaritans

The Samaritans helpline provides confidential, non-judgmental emotional support.

You can contact them by:

This service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Emails will be responded to within 24 hours.

Visit the Samaritans website for more information.

AMPARO

A new specialist service in Kent and Medway for anyone who has been bereaved by a suicide. 

Find out more about AMPARO

Hope and recovery: Living Warriors Films

There is always hope. Each Living Warriors film tells the story of the road to recovery from the darkest points.

The seven new films were made to:

  • raise awareness of mental health experiences
  • allow those involved to get their message heard and to help others who may face similar challenges.

The films were produced for World Suicide Prevention Day 2020. The film were funded by the Kent and Medway Suicide Prevention Innovation Fund.

To watch the films, visit the Living Warriors website.