Emergency advice
The CAMHS Crisis Care team provides support, advice and guidance to children, families and professionals in crisis. To speak to a member of the team, call:
CAMHS Crisis Line – 0151 293 3577
CRISIS CARE FREEPHONE: 0808 196 3550
Fresh CAMHS – 0151 293 3662
For more information about crisis care, please click here
Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or is struggling to cope.
The service is staffed by trained volunteers who will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better. We can help with issues such as stress, anxiety and depression and are here to talk at any time of day or night.
If you’re under 18, text GREEN to 85258, and if you’re 18 and above, text HEAL for immediate support. Find out more here.
Alternative to Crisis Care
YPAS’s Alternative to Crisis Drop-In provides a safe space for children and young people to come to. Our trained professional staff will listen and support you through difficult times.
Available across three community hubs.
Central Hub:
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 9.30am-8pm
Thursday 2pm-8pm
Friday 9.30am -4pm
South Hub
Monday and Tuesday 9:30am- 8pm
North Hub
Wednesday 9:30am -8pm and Thursday 2pm – 8pm.
You may just want someone to talk to for advice…
Below are some phone numbers and links that may be useful for support.
NHS 111
Where trained health professionals can give you health advice and information 24 hours a day.
Telephone 111
Click here to go directly to the NHS 111 website
The Samaritans
Offer a 24-hour confidential helpline. Samaritans volunteers listen in confidence to anyone in any type of emotional distress, without judging or telling people what to do.
Telephone 08457 90 90 90
Textphone 08457 90 91 92
Click here to go directly to the Samaritans website
Childline
Childline is here to help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. Whether it’s something big or small, our trained counsellors are here to support you.
Childline is free, confidential and available any time, day or night. You can talk to us on the phone, by email or through 1-2-1 counsellor chat. Whatever feels best for you.
Telephone: 0800 1111
1-2-1 Counsellor Chat
BSL Users
Click here to go directly to the Childline website
Papyrus
Provide confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through our helpline, HOPELINEUK.
Click here to visit the Papyrus Hopeline
Kooth
Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people
Young Minds
Worried about a child or young person? Call our free helpline for confidential, expert advice.
Visit Young Minds help for parents
You may need to see someone…
At times children and young people may become distressed and need to be seen in an emergency. The following is available for children and young people in Liverpool:
GP Out of hours service
A GP is available when your local surgery is closed during evenings, weekends and Bank Holidays. If you need urgent healthcare which cannot wait until the next working day, you can access a GP via the GP Out of Hours service. Call your Doctor’s surgery on the usual number and you will either be transferred to the Out of Hours service, or there will be an answerphone message with details of how to access it. The out of hours service operator will take details of your call and pass these to a doctor or nurse, who will contact you and, depending on your circumstances, will offer you one of the following options:
- Telephone advice
- An appointment at a healthcare service in your area that evening
- A home visit
Accident & Emergency
Children and Young People aged 0-16 years
If a child or young person becomes distressed or shows signs of becoming a risk to others or themselves they should be taken to A&E at Alder Hey Children’s Foundation Trust following receipt of parental/carer permission. The specialist mental health service provided by this trust operates a duty on-call system and a clinician will be called to attend A&E to support and provide an assessment of the child or young person. A Psychiatrist on-call system operates through the evening.
Young People aged 16+
Young people aged 16+ showing signs of distress or becoming a risk to themselves or others should be taken to A&E at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital Trust or University Hospital Aintree. A member of the mental health crisis team will provide an assessment of the young person. This is a 24-hour service.