There is a new free and confidential mental health support service for young people in Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough, Luton and Milton Keynes.
The free, confidential, anonymous service, is designed to provide people with ‘in the moment support’. It can help with issues such as anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression and suicidal thoughts.
Young people aged 11 to 25 living in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes can text the word REFLECT to 85258 to be connected to a trained Shout Volunteer.
Conversations take place entirely by text message and aim to help the person texting reach a calmer place with a plan to move forward. Volunteers will also signpost them to further support available locally.
The service is free to use on EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. Texts to the service will not appear on your phone bill and all messages are confidential unless there is concern about someone’s safety.
NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board (BLMK ICB) has partnered with Shout to provide the new service, improving digital access to mental health support for young people in the area.