Local mental
health services
There are lots of places you can get help and advice on your mental health. This page gives you local support that’s available to you and your friends.
Local support
24/7 text messaging support | Shout
Shout offer a free 24/7 text messaging support for all ages, wherever you are in the UK - text REFLECT to 85258.
If you need support and advice, they have lots of information that can help you get through this. Whatever you’re going through.
Bedfordshire & Luton Discovery College
Explore wellbeing with The Discovery College. Free workshops for 13 to 18-year-olds in Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, and Luton—online or in person. Join for sessions on Life Skills, Creativity, Mental Health & Wellbeing, Personal Growth, and Healthy Relationships.
Young Person’s Wellbeing Navigator Service | Mind BLMK
Mind BLMK collaborates with Central Bedfordshire Council and BLMK Integrated Care Board for the Young Person’s Wellbeing Navigator Service, tailored for ages 16-25. Offering up to 8 one-to-one sessions, it addresses well-being, overcomes barriers, and creates personalized action plans. Self-referrals or third-party referrals are welcome. Explore strengths, coping strategies, and receive a toolkit.
Relate Counselling Bedfordshire
Relate operates local Centers throughout the UK, each offering unique services tailored to the needs of its local community. These services include couples counseling, sex therapy, and counseling for children and young people.
South Bedford CAMHS
South Bedford CAMHS helps those up to 18 who might be feeling down or worried. They want to understand these feelings better and find ways to help. CAMHS also supports families, including those with foster parents or adopted children. They can see you on your own or with your family.
Creative mental health programme | PoetsIn
PoetsIn has a creative mental health programme to help empower you and give you the information you need to keep on top of your mental health. Their sessions look at different things like worry, stress, saying no and other areas to help build your confidence.
dunstable group and community gym | Y2A
Dunstable has a group and creative space where you can meet up with new people, get advice and support and also use their community gym. Y2A meet up twice a week at Dunstable Community Halls.
School Nurse Service
Ask for help by calling 0300 555 0606. The school nurse service offers healthcare plans, confidential services, and advice on wellbeing. They cover topics like healthy choices, immunisations, and support for teenage parents. Additionally, they guide issues such as bedwetting and constipation.
Crisis support | Mind BLMK
Mind BLMK partners with ELFT and CNWL to offer crisis support in Luton, Bedfordshire, and Milton Keynes. Their Crisis Cafés and Young Person’s Sanctuaries provide safe, non-judgmental spaces in the evenings for mental health support. Staffed by trained professionals, these spaces are for individuals aged 18+ at Crisis Cafés and 14-17 years old at Young Person’s Sanctuaries.
Bedfordshire Open Door
Bedfordshire Open Door, providing over 25 years of free and confidential counseling, welcomes self-referrals through calls, texts, or emails. Support is available in a way that suits you best, and you can involve a professional or family member in the call if preferred. Our friendly team ensures acceptance, safety, and a listening ear.
CHUMS Bedfordshire & Luton
CHUMS provides nine tailored services in Luton and Bedfordshire, focusing on support for children, young people, and their families. Their unique service adapts to individual needs.
Self-referral for Bedfordshire CAMHS
Complete this form. If you struggle with reading or writing, call 01234 893362, and a clinician will call you back Monday to Friday between 9.00am – 5.00pm.
Email the form to elft.spoebedfordshire@nhs.net. The triage team assesses all relevant information to make a detailed clinical decision based on risk. You'll receive confirmation, potentially including CAMHS care or referrals to more fitting local services.
Young carer support | Carers in Bedfordshire
Caring for someone can sometimes be hard, Carers in Bedfordshire can give young carers emotional support, someone to talk to or counselling. They also have groups that meet up in Bedfordshire.
Text service for 11 - 19 year olds | Chat-Health
Confidentially ask for help by texting 07507 331450.
Get confidential help and advice by sending a message - no need to give your name. It’s discreet and quick. Just one message can make a difference. Receive confidential advice from trained health staff in your area.
Bedfordshire Sorted
Sorted provides a free and confidential counseling service tailored for young people aged 5-25. Their counseling aims to assist you in making decisions and choices regarding your life.
North Bedford CAMHS
North Bedford CAMHS helps those up to 18 who might be feeling down or worried. They want to understand these feelings better and find ways to help. CAMHS also supports families, including those with foster parents or adopted children. They can see you on your own or with your family.
Next generation youth theatre | NGYT
NGYT can help you to express your creativity, feelings and thoughts. They meet up regularly in Dunstable and create something that captures everyone’s voices, resulting in something unique that shares everyone’s stories and creative skills.
12 - 19 year old Young People’s Service | TACTIC
If you live in Leighton Buzzard, Linslade or close by you can get free advice and information from the Teenage Advice and Information Centre. It’s based in the centre of town and is a safe space for you to listen to music, game, meet new people and have a coffee.
Urgent local support
Call 111 (Option 2) | NHS
Individuals seeking assistance in a mental health crisis can reach out to the NHS 111 service. By dialling 111 and selecting the mental health option (typically option 2).
This free helpline is for people of all ages who need urgent mental health support. Young people can talk to a CAMHS professional directly who can arrange additional support.
In an emergency, dial 999
In life-threatening emergencies, call 999 or go to A&E for conditions such as chest pain, signs of a stroke, confusion, suicide attempts, severe difficulty breathing, choking, heavy bleeding, severe injuries, seizures, or sudden swelling.
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Find urgent help
Does life feel like it is spinning out of control? If you or someone you know needs help right away, support is here for you.