Urgent Support When You Need It Most
Imagine being at your lowest ebb and finding the compassionate assistance you need. Between June 2023 and May 2024, Crisis Safe Space (CSS) has been that source of solidarity and support for the people of Somerset. 3258 CSS appointments were attended, 45% in-person.
Crisis Safe Space (CSS) is OMH’s out-of-hours service for people facing mental health crises. CSS offers urgent assistance when it’s needed most, making a positive impact on the lives of people really struggling with their mental wellbeing.
CSS is provided by OMH partners Mind in Somerset and Second Step. With appointments available in person, over the phone, and online, the compassionate CSS team is accessible wherever you might be in Somerset.
Are You Feeling Uneasy About Reaching Out For Help?
At times of heightened emotional distress, it’s understandable that we might feel reluctant to pick up the phone and speak to someone. If you feel this way, read Sally’s story, where she shares her experiences as a CSS client.
Sally said, “Crisis Safe Space has supported me on many occasions when I have been struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide. They have welcomed me in my moments of desperation, providing me with reassurance and compassion and a safe place to just ‘be’.”
CSS’s tranquil environment and compassionate response have helped Sally in times of crisis. “The people who have listened to me at Crisis Safe Space have been so caring and validating. They have given me time and space to explore options and supported me to reach a place of safety. It has been so valuable and so appreciated.”
In fact, 1094 of the people who contacted CSS over the past year were first-time users who found the caring and friendly CSS team ready to listen and help.
Why Do People Call Crisis Safe Space?
When someone in Somerset is experiencing a mental health crisis, getting prompt access to the right kind of help is crucial. CSS provides this essential service, offering out-of-hours assistance to those in need and helping to prevent their condition from escalating.
Anyone struggling with their mental health can make a CSS appointment. There are many reasons people reach out to the service. Frequently, it’s because someone is experiencing suicidal thoughts or feels overwhelmed by anxiety. On 198 occasions, clients reported that without CSS, they would have acted on their suicidal feelings and, on 142 occasions, have gone to A&E.
CSS has proven life-saving for some individuals, giving people crucial support when they need it most. The team includes volunteers who have personally benefited from speaking with Crisis Safe Space and now use their lived experience to help others. Volunteers with lived experience are invaluable: they can draw on their own life experiences to offer a deeper understanding of the challenges clients face.
Interested in making a difference? Join the Crisis Safe Space Team
CSS is looking for more volunteers to join its teams in Bridgwater, Glastonbury, and Frome. Volunteers receive comprehensive training, support and access to learning opportunities. Whether you can offer just one hour a week or more, your time can make a significant difference to people in Somerset struggling with their mental health.
If you’d like to know more about becoming a CSS volunteer and the friendly, supportive CSS community, check out Second Step’s volunteering page or email joanne.chayter@second-step.co.uk. Alternatively, visit Mind in Somerset’s page for volunteer opportunities.
How to Get Help
Crisis Safe Space is part of the broader range of services Open Mental Health provides in Somerset. OMH is dedicated to offering comprehensive mental health support and addressing both urgent and ongoing needs in our communities.
As an out-of-hours service, CSS provides an alternative to A&E or urgent doctor’s appointments, offering one-to-one sessions with compassionate listeners. Are you feeling overwhelmed and unsure where to turn? Crisis Safe Space is here to help. If you or someone you know needs support, don’t hesitate to reach out for the support you deserve. In-person sessions are available in Bridgwater, Frome, Glastonbury, Taunton, and Yeovil, as well as online or over the phone. To book a place, call Mindline Somerset on 01823 276892 or freephone 0800 138 1692 or visit the OMH Crisis Safe Space webpage.