Date published: 30 June 2021
People living in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens and Warrington can get 24/7 mental health support, advice and signposting by texting the word REACH to 85258
The text service is available 24/7 and offers free and confidential support to adults, children and young people.
Run by national charity Shout, by texting REACH to 85258 you will be put in touch with in touch with a trained volunteer who will work with you to take the next steps to feeling better.
You can text REACH to 85258 help with issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Bullying
- Depression
- Loneliness
- Relationships
- Self-harm
- Stress
- Suicidal thoughts or feelings
- Worry
What happens when you use the service?
Text - To start a conversation, text the word REACH to 85258. You can use this if you’re feeling low, anxious, worried, lonely, overwhelmed, suicidal or not quite yourself.
Connect - Once you text, you’ll receive four automated messages before you are connected to a Shout volunteer. This will usually be within five minutes, but if in busier times it may take longer.
Talk - The volunteer will introduce themselves and ask you to share a bit more about what’s bothering you. This might include feeling anxious, having relationship problems, addiction, depression, bullying, self-harm and suicide. You will text back and forth and share what you feel comfortable with.
Plan- The goal of the conversation is to help you reach a calm and safe place, with a plan of how to support yourself going forwards. As well as listening without judgement, Shout volunteers may provide you with further resources or tools to help you get more expert support.
Calm - Your conversation will only end when the volunteer is sure you are in a safe and calm place. Conversations tend to last around 40 minutes.
TEXT REACH TO 85258.