Devon Partnership Trust First Response Service
If you are worried about the emotional wellbeing of someone you care for, the First Response Service (previously the Single Point of Access) is available to call 24 hours a day 7 days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Which is good news for carers as quite often mental distress happens outside of office hours, so if it’s 2am on Sunday you know there is someone you can call.
You will speak to a mental health practitioner, who will listen to your concerns and help you to get the help you need. They will also make a record of your call to pass onto anyone else who may be already working with the person you are worried about, such as their GP or their mental health worker.
The First Response service is also there to help you too if you are experiencing mental distress or if you feel you may be having a mental health relapse. If you can’t make the call someone can make the call for you – if they are aged 18 and above.
So if you have noticed someone has; stopped taking care of themselves, become more isolated or so anxious they physically can’t leave the house, told you they are hearing voices, or having visual hallucinations, please make the call.
The DPT First Response telephone number is 0300 555 5000.
People in the Torbay area can also call this number but for people in Plymouth the telephone number is 01752 434922.
Mental Health Matters – The Moorings:
The Moorings offer out-of-hours mental health support for anyone over the age of 16 who may be feeling distressed, frightened or overwhelmed.
There are three locations in Barnstaple, Exeter and Torquay were trained Mental Health workers will be able to take calls from 6pm – midnight.
Please call:
- Barnstaple on 07850 927064
- Exeter 07990 790902
- Torquay 07483 991848
Mental Health Matters also offer face-to-face support sessions in these locations – addresses can be found on the Mental Health Matters website:
www.mhm.org.uk
Appointments need to be booked in advance and strict Covid 19 measures are in place at the venues.
People using The Moorings will be able to access a 24/7 helpline, which offers emotional support and information even when the venues are closed.
The Samaritans – 24/7 service:
The Samaritans don’t just offer a listening ear to someone who may be feeling suicidal. They are there to listen to carers who may be concerned or worried about the person they care for, or are experiencing loneliness, relationship problems, financial worries or depression themselves.
The Samaritan volunteers undergo extensive training and are available to speak to 24/7 on 116 123. At busy times you may need to leave a message, for someone to return your call as soon as a volunteer is available.
You can also email: jo@samaritans.org or write a letter to Chris, Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO box 9090 Stirling FK8 2SA. All communication is confidential – unless the information you give requires a Safeguarding response. That is to say, if you tell someone you are in immediate danger or you are aware of someone else who is at serious risk of harm. In these instances, the volunteer will take the appropriate action.
The Samaritans also have a Self-Help mobile phone app which tracks your mood, suggest techniques to help manage difficult feelings amongst other things. This might suit carers who may feel uncomfortable talking in front of others or are worried about being overheard.