Christmas Mental Health Services Guide 2019
December 20, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Please note: this item was posted ahead of the Christmas 2019 period. The information contained in the guide mentioned below is therefore outdated.
BIMHN are pleased to share the news that this year’s Christmas Mental Health and Wellbeing Services guide has been published. This guide outlines the services providing wellbeing and mental health support available to people in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire period over the Christmas 2019 and New Year 2020 period.
The guide has been produced with input from BIMHN members, in collaboration with members of Clarity-North Somerset Independent Mental Health Network. This year’s guide follows on from the success of last year’s guide in helping people and communities navigate what is available at this time of this year.
Included is information about services operating over the seasonal period, making note of any changes to opening or operating times, and contact details. It brings together information about mental health support from both NHS and voluntary & community sector partners that can be accessed. Also included are details of national crisis and helplines.
You can view or download a copy of the guide on the Independent Mental Health Network’s website, here.
December 20, 2019 at 6:44 pm | News | No comment
Bristol mental health services Christmas opening times 2017
December 18, 2017 at 1:25 am
Please note: this item was published ahead of the Christmas 2017 period. The information contained in the guide is therefore out of date.
Following the success of last year’s Christmas opening hours guide to mental health services in Bristol, we are pleased to announce we have produced an updated version for this year.
The guide, produced in partnership with Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group and Bristol Mental Health, lists relevant mental health and wellbeing support available over the holiday period. It brings together information about mental health services from both NHS and voluntary & community sector partners on support that can be accessed.
BIMHN Representation & Accountability Officer, Tom Renhard said:
“The Christmas period can be especially difficult for some, particularly for people who may feel increasingly isolated during this time or who may be struggling with their mental health and well being.
“The aim of this guide is to assist in helping people access the right support at the right time, should they need to. I would encourage people to make use of this guide as appropriate and share with work colleagues, family and friends.”
You can find a copy of the guide here.
December 18, 2017 at 1:25 am | News | No comment
Crisis Line Open Forum
November 23, 2016 at 4:34 pm
Get your voice heard at our next crisis line open forum!
At 6pm on Wednesday 14th December, the next crisis line open forum will take place at the Station, Silver Street, Bristol.
This is a follow up to our first very successful open meeting that took place on October 26th at the same location. It was unanimously agreed to hold a further meeting. This included continuing to work collaboratively with Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG to improve information on how local citizens can access mental health services in the area and ensure those in crisis are able to access the services they need to in a timely way.
You are able to book your free ticket to attend by clicking through to our Eventbrite page.
The notes from the October meeting are now available to review: crisis-line-open-meeting-26-10-16-notes-v2
They include several recommendations that have been shared with service providers and commissioners to steer potential improvements. These have been welcomed at a recent meeting of the project board, and are now being explored in more detail.
These meetings have been organised in response to concerns raised about proposed changes to the crisis line. In response to our petition, which over 4,500 people have signed, we have been continuing to meet regularly with both Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG to ensure concerns raised are heard.
Any proposed changes to the number that had been discussed will be postponed until after the Christmas period. As part of their update, Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG said:
“In the meantime, the crisis line will continue to operate in its current form. This includes over the Christmas period and into the new year. Initial proposals were to make changes from the end of November, however the timescales have been extended to allow for this valuable coproduction work to be completed.”
We look forward to seeing you at the open forum on the 14th, and do remember to book your ticket on our Eventbrite page.
If you have any queries in the meantime, then please email:
Latest update on crisis line work from Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG:
“Work to redevelop Bristol Mental Health’s (BMH) crisis line is continuing, to ensure people in mental health crisis get the support they need faster.
Through a specific project board, BMH and NHS Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are working collaboratively with service users and carers, elected officers from Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN) and staff to identify solutions. Changes will only be made when we have alternative provisions and plans in place to inform and support service users.
In the meantime, the crisis line will continue to operate in its current form. This includes over the Christmas period and into the new year. Initial proposals were to make changes from the end of November, however the timescales have been extended to allow for this valuable coproduction work to be completed.
For example, the board is exploring ways to improve information about BMH’s mental health services and to make them more accessible, such as through the website and in printed material. In addition, we are working with regular callers to the line to ensure they have alternative support.
Currently the crisis line is being used for much more than its intended purpose, which is to offer specialist intervention to people in mental health crisis. More than two thirds (66%) of callers to the crisis line are seeking advice, general information or to check appointments. This is making it harder for those in mental health crisis, as well as professionals supporting those in mental health crisis, to get through.
The project board is therefore looking at ways in which those with more general or administrative enquiries can receive timely answers to their questions, whilst those in urgent, mental health crisis can be fast-tracked for immediate support.
For more information or to offer feedback and ideas, please email ”
November 23, 2016 at 4:34 pm | News | No comment
Our response to latest Crisis Line Statement
August 27, 2016 at 9:23 pm
We are disappointed by the recent statement released by Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG, which now states that the public crisis line will be closed.
This is a u-turn on Bristol Mental Health’s previous statement which said that the telephone service will not be cut, but “redesigned”.
Their latest communication says that a 24 hour telephone line service will continue to be available, however this is only for people who have been referred to the line by professionals, or for people as “part of their identified support”.
Whilst we acknowledge that it is good to hear there will still be a line for some, we have real concerns about what support there will be for those where access to the crisis line is not “part of their identified support”; for those that don’t access mental health services; and for those from transient parts of the population, such as university students that may have a crisis.
It is imperative that there is access to a 24 hour crisis line for all that need it in Bristol. It is also vital that additional alternatives are identified to provide people not in crisis with emotional support where it is required to help prevent any further deterioration in their wellbeing.
We feel that communication from Bristol Mental Health and Bristol CCG has been unclear, and we are concerned about the anxiety that it is causing people. We urge both organisations to give a clear stance on their decision and respond to our calls for a public meeting, taking into consideration the large number of concerns that have arisen as part of our campaign.
We are meeting with both organisations on Friday 9th September, and will post a further update shortly after then.
The latest statement from Bristol Mental Health can be found here.
Want to support our campaign? Click here to sign the petition.
August 27, 2016 at 9:23 pm | News | No comment
U-turn is made over crisis line – but there’s still a long way to go
August 23, 2016 at 8:07 am
BIMHN says that monitoring any decisions around the crisis line is paramount, after Bristol Mental Health announces a u-turn over the closure of the phone service.
We welcome the news that Bristol Mental Health (BMH) has made a u-turn over its decision to close its crisis line.
BMH’s announcement is in response to our recent article, which highlighted our concerns about the potential closure, and the public’s reaction to the proposal.
The service will now not be cut, but it will be “redesigned”, Bristol Mental Health has said.
We will be monitoring the situation very carefully and challenging any future proposals that are not in the interests of people currently accessing mental health services, or that may access them in the future.
Openness and transparency is paramount in these discussions at all times.
We will be meeting with BMH and Bristol CCG on 9th September to discuss the crisis line further, and will also announce a date for an open meeting to get wider views in due course.
We would like to thank everyone who has responded to our campaign so far, and highlighted the detrimental impact that the closure would have.
Bristol Mental Health said in their most recent statement:
Recently, an online petition has been started to campaign against the closure of Bristol Mental Health’s (BMH) crisis line. BMH and Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) would like to address the concerns raised in this petition.
The purpose of the Crisis Line is to respond to those experiencing a mental health crisis and to their carers. It is crucial that those requiring this service are able to get through and speak to someone when they need to. During the review of the service it was identified that approximately 66% of calls were actually seeking information or general advice; meanwhile others who needed to talk to a mental health professional urgently were unable to get through. It is for this reason that the decision has been made to change the way this service is managed.
As part of this, we will identify options that give more appropriate responses to those ringing the line. This will include where to ring if you need general advice, if you need to know about your forthcoming appointment time, or if you are a professional needing advice. It will ensure that those in mental health crisis will be responded to more quickly than is often the case at present.
The decision to redesign this service is one which has been reached with input from service users and staff from Bristol Mental Health, as well as commissioners from Bristol CCG. It should be noted that this is not a service cut, but a service redesign.
This decision was made as part of a wider review that will improve the balance between planned and unplanned interventions within local mental health services. Both BMH and Bristol CCG are working closely with service users and carers to ensure they identify other resources to best meet the needs of those who access the line.
BMH remain committed to work alongside the CCG with service users and carers to achieve the best mental health and wellbeing for the people of Bristol.
If anyone wants to let BIMHN know their experiences of the crisis line in the meantime, please contact Tom on . To support our campaign, please sign our petition: you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/protect-our-crisis-line-in-bristol!
If you are in need of help and support, please visit our signposting page for relevant information.
August 23, 2016 at 8:07 am | News | No comment
Bristol’s crisis line set to close
August 18, 2016 at 5:35 pm
Bristol Mental Health’s (BMH) crisis line is set to close at the end of November, it has been announced.
Bristol Independent Mental Health Network (BIMHN) are deeply concerned over the proposals, and are in close contact with both BMH and the Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) regarding the news.
BMH’s reason for the proposed closure, which is to take effect from 30th November 2016, is that the majority of calls being made to the service were by those “requiring advice and support rather than specialist intervention – the intended purpose of the line”.
This calls into question whether enough is being done by service providers to ensure people know how to reach the right mental health support and treatment, including access to preventative services.
We feel that there needs to be more improved signposting, with clear and easily accessible information available for people wanting to use mental health services and seek support.
We want to ensure that any changes to the crisis line are in the best interests of those currently accessing services, and those that may access Bristol’s mental health services in the the future.
We have received mixed feedback from users of the crisis line about how helpful it has been. However, it is absolutely vital that there is an easily accessible and supportive service in place for those in times of crisis.
BMH wrote in their statement:
“Bristol Mental Health (BMH) is making some changes to its crisis line to ensure that people in crisis receive the support they need. An extensive review of the service was carried out in the early part of 2016, with participation from service users, staff and commissioners.
“The review found that the majority of calls made to the line were better answered elsewhere, or made by those requiring advice and support rather than specialist intervention – the intended purpose of the crisis line.
“Therefore a decision was made by BMH (the provider of the crisis line), Bristol CCG and service users to close the crisis line, effective 30th November 2016, and to identify other resources.
“This decision was made as part of a wider review that will improve the balance between planned and unplanned interventions within local mental health services.
“Both BMH and Bristol CCG are working closely with service users and carers to ensure they identify other resources to best meet the needs of those who access the line.
“Further information will be provided about this over the coming months. As ever, BMH will work to achieve the best mental health and wellbeing for the people of Bristol.
“For more information about the closure of the line please contact or 0117 919 5782/5606.”
Have you accessed or attempted to access the crisis line? We would like to hear about your experiences. Get in touch by emailing BIMHN Secretary, Tom Renhard at . Any comments will be anonymised.
BIMHN members will also be holding a meeting to further discuss the proposed closure of the crisis line, and our next steps.
August 18, 2016 at 5:35 pm | News | No comment