Coronavirus – what we’re doing
Platfform are doing their bit to help stop the spread of Coronavirus and following Public Health Wales’ guidelines for staying safe during this time.
The staff at Platfform will be working from home where possible to keep themselves and the people they work with safe. Please remember that you can still contact Platfform via their office phone numbers, email and social media.
This is understandably a time of high anxiety for many. Please do not suffer alone if you are struggling with your mental health.
Support is still available; Platfform, along with most other charities, are still available, just using different methods as we play our part in reducing the spread of Coronavirus.
We can also be there for each other, and reduce the anxieties of those around us. Think creatively about connecting with people in different ways. Give some thought to how you might be able to help your neighbours, and the more vulnerable people in your community. Kindness, both to ourselves and others, will help us all to get through this difficult and stressful time.
If you need help right now, please contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org. If you are in Wales, you can also contact the C.A.L.L. Helpline Wales on 0800 132 737.
Platfform4YP Projects
Platfform 4YP Swansea Bay – Support for young people aged 13-16 living in Swansea, Neath and Port Talbot
Platfform 4YP Gwent – Support for young people aged 14-18 living in Newport, Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent, Torfaen and Monmouthshire – Contact Details : Luke – Phone Number – 07436 139075 Email – lukerees@platfform.org
Platfform for Families – Support for parents and siblings aged 7+ Living in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan – Contact Details : Nicole – Number : 07436 038545 – Email : nicolemoran@platfform.org
Youth Empowerment Service – Support for young people aged 7-18 who have been affected by parental substance use, living in Bridgend.
Agency Referral Form – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=U1TfQIY1P06TU-kPK4-tLgELBujDITFNipzNj2YqkcVUQzFFRTkyNTg4WTc0M1o0OUlaNzFKWTFQTi4u
Self Referral Form – https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=U1TfQIY1P06TU-kPK4-tLgELBujDITFNipzNj2YqkcVUM1VEOFVVN0MwRkZHQ1lUSVgwWDI5ME1IRC4u
Ways to get help
If you feel in immediate danger, ring 999 or visit your local emergency department.
Speak to a trusted friend or family member.
Use a 24/7 helpline – see the list in the get help now section below.
Ring your GP for an emergency appointment. (In a crisis, you should be offered an appointment with the first available doctor.)
If you are feeling suicidal, info from people who have been there can be found via Staying Safe. You can also call The Samaritans on 116 123.
Remember: This crisis won’t last forever. With some support, things can and will improve.
Places to get help now
Dedicated support lines that are always open, and where you can speak to someone confidentially.
Samaritans: available by phone 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call them on 116 123 for free.
C.A.LL Helpline: emotional support and info on mental health and related matters (Wales)
Young Minds: If you need urgent help text YM to 85258. All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors
Young Minds also offer a helpline for parents and guardians: 0808 802 5544.
Papyrus: Offer a free confidential service supporting anyone between 8yrs – 35yrs experiencing thoughts of suicide. The helpline HOPELINEUK is open 7 days a week on 0800 068 4141, or you can contact via SMS Text and email. Anyone also worried about a friend or loved one who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide can talk to an adviser at HOPELINEUK for support in keeping them safe.
Childline: a free, private and confidential service for anyone under 19 in the UK to help with any issue you’re going through. Call 0800 1111.
Meic: helpline service for children and young people in Wales up to the age of 25. Available from 8am to midnight, 7 days a week. You can contact Meic by phone, email, SMS text and instant messaging. Meic is confidential, anonymous, free, and just for you.
Help with suicidal thoughts
Staying Safe from Suicidal Thoughts offer compassion, kindness and ways to help you be safer from thoughts of harm and suicide, seek support and discover hope of recovery through powerful videos from people with personal experience.
Counselling
Talking therapies can help you to work through your feelings and difficult times that you may be experiencing.
A counselling session involves a trained therapist listening to you and helping you find ways to move towards a positive mental health recovery. There are many counselling approaches and information about these can be found on Breathe’s website.
Breathe is Platfform’s counselling and wellbeing centre based in Cardiff. If you are based elsewhere in Wales you can use this counselling directory.
Get help for someone else
You may not know exactly how a person feels but taking the time to listen and explaining that you care can truly help to work through a painful experience.
When someone feels overwhelmed by their thoughts or circumstances it can be hard to see a way out. Remind them that they are not alone and that together you can find a way to get the right support. It’s important that they realise that with a little help they can overcome even the most painful times.
What you can do to help
Don’t be afraid to ask questions to get a clearer picture of what the person wants in order to overcome a crisis.
A caring conversation is so important, explain that you care and want to help.
Do not minimise how they are feeling, be open, non-judgemental, and honest about your concerns.
If they are feeling suicidal and you are worried about their safety, stay with them and ring 999 or accompany them to an emergency department. Keep the person informed of what you’re doing and reassure them that you are getting help.
Share your concerns with relatives, the person’s loved ones – make sure that they are supported at all times until the feelings have passed.
Ring their GP for an emergency appointment or try NHS direct 0845 46 47 and 111 out of hours
Visit the Staying Safe website, watch some of the videos together to see how people have overcome feeling suicidal and consider supporting the person to write a safety plan.
Stay with the person until they have received the right support and are feeling better, this involves the person you are worried about having additional support or an assessment from a suitably qualified person.