Mental Health Crisis Team (adults)
If you, or someone you know, is experiencing a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health (option 2).
Available 24/7, you will speak to a mental health professional who can listen to you and help you find the right support.
If you are deaf or have hearing loss, please use NHS 111 – SignVideo or the 18001 111 Relay UK app.
Mental Health Crisis Team (children)
If your child is receiving support from a CAMHS team and is in crisis during their operational hours, please contact them directly and ask to speak to your child’s worker or another clinician. Out of hours, please contact your locality crisis team.
In a mental health crisis, call NHS 111 and select the mental health option (2)
Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week
If you are deaf or have hearing loss, please use NHS 111 – SignVideo or the 18001 111 Relay UK app.
Who are the child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) crisis and liaison team?
The crisis and liaison team provide mental health support to young people (up to the age of 18) who are experiencing a crisis with their mental health.
What can the crisis team do for me?
The team respond to the immediate mental health needs of young people, offering short term help, either at home or in the community, and will stay involved until there is a resolution of the immediate crisis.
Who can call us?
Anyone who is concerned about a young person experiencing a mental health crisis can contact the service.
When to call us?
- If a young person is suicidal or has self-harmed
- If a young person is experiencing extreme emotional distress that won’t stop
- If a young person is experiencing sudden or severe anxiety which is preventing them getting on with their normal life
- If a young person is in extreme emotional distress and would like to speak to someone
- If anyone needs urgent advice about a young person’s mental health
What happens when you call NHS 111 select mental health option
Calls are answered by a mental health professional, who is supported and supervised by our trained mental health clinicians. They work within our crisis services.
To get the support you need, the mental health professional will ask you some questions and listen to you. They will make sure you are directed to the right professional or service. They can:
- Transfer callers to crisis clinicians for triage and assessment if this is needed
- Signpost to primary care services for further support, for example, your GP
- Refer to community services that are alternatives to crisis, for example, the voluntary sector
- Contact 999, if there is a risk to life
What we can and can’t do
We can:
- Complete urgent mental health and risk assessments
- Offer advice and support about how to cope in a crisis
- Help the young person and carers make plans to keep a young person safe
- Develop plans to offer ongoing support as and when required
We cannot:
- Provide medication
- Physically restrain a young person
- Provide accommodation
There are a lot of services available that you can self-refer into without the need to see your GP.
Addiction – Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services
County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services is the alcohol and drug service for people living in County Durham.
We help people with challenges relating to their alcohol and/or drug use, and help reduce risk-taking behaviour through dedicated prevention, intervention, and support.
We will support you to help achieve and sustain recovery from alcohol and drug use through a range of treatments. We offer a range of support and advice no matter what your needs are.
Find out more about how we can help.
You can contact us via the below details to refer yourself or someone else.
Telephone: 03000 266 666
Email: cddars.adult@waythrough.org.uk
Or, you can complete our online referral form on the Waythrough website for yourself, or someone else.
Addictions – Gambling
Gambling harms can have many impacts for an individual, their family, friends and wider network. If at any time you would like additional support, you can contact us over the phone; for the North East call 0191 562 3309, or call the National Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (24/7).
Adult Bladder & Bowel Service
Talking about bladder and bowel problems is sensitive and can be embarrassing for many. Our new digital self-referral removes any awkwardness enabling patients to self-refer directly to the service without discussing with GP or other health care professional. Instead patients can self-refer from their mobile devices using the below QR code.
Tel No: 03000 267979 (option 2)
Integrated MSK Service – Physio
If you feel that you are suffering from a musculoskeletal complaint that could benefit from Physiotherapy, you can make a direct referral to the County Durham Integrated MSK Service (CD IMS). This offers patients greater choice and faster access to hospital services without the need to visit a GP.
Podiatry Service
You can now also self refer by completing the self referral form on the page and returning it to the address/email provided on the bottom of the form. Follow the link: County Durham and Darlington – Podiatry Self Referral Form (cddft.nhs.uk)
Smoking Cessation
If you live or work in County Durham, Smokefree County Durham can offer you an individual quit programme for up to 12 weeks.
You will be offered weekly tailored advice and support from a Specialist Practitioner to help plan and manage your quit attempt.
Smokefree Durham are a vape/e-cigarette friendly service and can offer a choice of stop smoking medications including Champix* and Nicotine Replacement Therapy.
They work alongside the NHS, local pharmacies, and a range of other organisations to support your journey to becoming smoke-free.https://www.smokefreecountydurham.co.uk/sign-up/
Talking Therapies
NHSE has launched a campaign to encourage anyone struggling with feelings of depression or anxiety, such as excessive worry, panic attacks, social anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or obsessions and compulsions, to seek help through NHS Talking Therapies services. The service is effective, confidential and free.
Talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective and confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. They can help if you’re struggling with things like feelings of depression, generalized anxiety, social anxiety, panic and agoraphobia, other phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), body dysmorphic disorder.
You can make a referral into the service by clicking this link self-referral form or you can call them Monday to Friday from 9 am to 5pm on 0191 333 3300.