M53 closure due to ‘concerns for safety’ of woman

Merseyside Police has confirmed that emergency services are in Woodchurch dealing with an incident this evening, Wednesday 23 March.

At around 4.40pm, police were called to Junction 3 of the M53 to reports of a concern for the safety of a woman.

A road closure is in place on the M53 in both directions between Woodchurch and Birkenhead.

A police spokesperson said, “We would ask that people avoid the area where possible. Thanks for your patience.”

If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment.

It’s important to know that support is available, even if services seem busy at the moment because of coronavirus.

NHS urgent mental health helplines

NHS urgent mental health helplines are for people of all ages.

You can call for:

• 24-hour advice and support – for you, your child, your parent or someone you care for
• help to speak to a mental health professional
• an assessment to help decide on the best course of care

Coping during a crisis:

The mental health charity Mind has information on ways to help yourself cope during a crisis

This includes calming exercises and a tool to get you through the next few hours.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

• someone’s life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
• you do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone’s time.

Making a safety plan

If you struggle with suicidal thoughts or are supporting someone else, it may help to make a safety plan to use if you need it:

• the Staying Safe website  provides information on how to make a safety plan, including video tutorials and online templates to guide you through the process
• the mental health charity Mind also provides information on planning for a mental health crisis

Contact numbers:

• 999 and 112 are the national emergency numbers in the United Kingdom
• 111, Option 2, is the National Health Services’ First Response Service for mental health crises and support. This is not available in all areas of the country yet.
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK is a helpline offering a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide throughout the UK and is open 24/7.
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK can be reached on 0800 689 5652.
• SOS Silence of Suicide is a registered charity supporting children & adults struggling with poor mental health and suicidal ideation. They provide a standard rate phone support service open 8pm until Midnight, Friday to Monday inclusive. You can reach them on 0300 1020 505
• Samaritans (http://www.samaritans.org/ ) is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in distress or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom.They provide a 24/7, toll-free crisis line, as well as local branches.
  • Samaritans Helpline can be reached at 116 123.
  • Samaritans’ previous hotline number, 08457 90 90 90, is no longer in use. Calling this line may result in charges for call forwarding.
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (https://www.thecalmzone.net/ )
  • CALM (Nationwide) can be reached at 0800 58 58 58 (available every day from 5PM to midnight).
  • CALM webchat can be found at https://www.thecalmzone.net/help/get-help/  (available every day from 5PM to midnight).
• Shout (https://www.giveusashout.org/ ) free 24/7 text service for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. It is a place to go for those struggling to cope and in need of immediate help.
  • Text SHOUT to 85258

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