A brand-new service has been launched today, 6 April, that will make it easier for people in Greater Manchester to find and receive mental health support - anytime, day or night. The service, Shout, allows people to simply and discreetly communicate with trained crisis volunteers by text message. The service is overseen by clinical supervisors.
April 6th 2020
After texting a crisis volunteer will reply. The volunteer will offer support and respond to questions until they, and the person using the service, feels in a safe calm place. The volunteer will also provide sign posting to other services that can offer specialist support and ongoing help in their local area.
Shout, can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, simply by texting.
• Text GMBury to 85258
• Text GMBolton to 85258
• Text GMManchester to 85258
• Text GMOldham to 85258
• Text GMRochdale to 85258
• Text GMSalford to 85258
• Text GMStockport to 85258
• Text GMTandG to 85258 (this for Tameside and Glossop)
• Text GMTrafford to 85258
• Text GMWigan to 85258
Advice is available for anyone struggling with a host of issues, including: anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, abuse or assault, self-harm, bullying or relationship issues.
Shout advisers can be reached on any mobile phone, there is no need to be registered with the service or to download an app to get advice.
The service is confidential, free, and won’t show up on phone bills.
“It is always essential that people are able to find the mental health support they need quickly and easily – Shout is set to provide a simple and easy way to do just that at any point in time as the service is 24/7, 365 days a year.
As the service uses text messaging it is incredibly discreet, this will be vital in the coming weeks as we are all living in much closer quarters with our friends and family and may not want to share our problems with them – especially if they are part of the cause of distress.” Warren Heppolette, executive lead strategy and system development, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership
You can find out more about this service SHOUT – 24/7 text messaging service to support those in crisis
