Twelve months ago, Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust partnered with Shout to launch a new mental health text support service, providing a discreet and accessible way for people to access support for anxiety, stress, loneliness, depression and other mental health challenges – any time and anywhere.

Offering free, confidential mental health support to people of any age who text ‘Space’ to 85258, the service was introduced across Birmingham and Solihull as an alternative route for early mental health support; complementing existing resources such as NHS 111, Crisis Cafés and NHS Talking Therapies. It also aims to help reduce pressure on crisis care while providing timely support for those waiting to access further help.

Over the past year, the service has helped nearly 2,000 people, including 55-year-old Louise* from Sutton Coldfield, who describes the service as a lifeline in helping her manage symptoms of depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Louise is supported by her local Community Mental Health Team and regularly meets with her community psychiatric nurse. However, she sometimes needs additional support between appointments or outside normal service hours. In those moments, she has turned to ‘Space‘ for support.

“Knowing I can chat to someone any time and anywhere is really helpful,” said Louise.

“I have lived with depression for 12 years, so I recognise the early warning signs and when I need to seek support to feel better.

“When I have had thoughts of harming myself and I can’t speak to my usual team, I contact the text service knowing I’ll be able to chat to someone in a matter of minutes.”

Louise says the service feels approachable, safe and easy to access, adding that communicating by text can sometimes make it easier to open up about difficult feelings.

“I have used it a few times now and have always felt better afterwards. I like that it’s confidential. It makes it easier for me to talk openly about a sensitive subject.”

Even though conversations take place via text message, Louise says the human connection is still very much present.

“You know that you’re speaking to a real person, and that feels reassuring.”

Accessing Support

If you live in Birmingham or Solihull and are feeling low, anxious or overwhelmed, text ‘Space’ to 85258 to be connected to a trained mental health professional, any time, anywhere.

For more information, visit our Mental Health Text Service webpage.

*Shared with permission; some details have been anonymised to protect privacy.