24/7 All Age Mental Health Crisis Text Support Service is now live in the East of England!
The new service will be available across Bedfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes, Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
29th October, 2026
It will provide free, confidential and immediate support from trained responders for people experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, loneliness or overwhelming thoughts, through SMS, WhatsApp and webchat, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The service will work alongside existing NHS and community mental health support across the region and has been commissioned by NHS Central East, NHS Norfolk and Suffolk, and NHS Essex ICBs.
People can now access support via:
- SMS: Text ‘SOS’ to 80899
- WhatsApp: 0800 884 0655
- Webchat: NXG Thrive Crisis Text Service
There is a Practice Toolkit with useful guidance and some FAQs. For more information about how the service works, including referrals and signposting, you can also watch the Crisis Text Service stakeholder presentation.
Thank you for your support in helping people across the region know how they can access the new service when they need it.
