Guest speaker at a recent Soroptimist meeting in Crosby was Laura O’Malley, Clinical Supervisor for Shout 85258.
Shout 85258 offers a free 24/7 mental health support text service. This clinically-led crisis support is available throughout the UK.
Launched in 2019, Shout has expanded rapidly. Texts are handled by an army of trained volunteers. Some are based in New Zealand, enabling the UK service to function 24 hours a day. Experienced Clinical Supervisors support the volunteers.
The optimum time for each text conversation is about 45 minutes. Shout does not offer advice; instead, volunteers will think over the conversation as it develops, empathise, explore options and signpost the texter to further support. The aim is de-escalation so that texters can manage their own feelings and situations themselves.
Laura told the Soroptimists that, as a supervisor, she oversees up to 20 chats, guiding the volunteers and risk-assessing all incoming and ongoing communications. Shout has access to emergency services if necessary.
This digitised service has, so far, logged over 3 million conversations with over 1 million texters. Under 25s account for over 60% of users; females outnumber males 70:30. Shout handles up to 2,000 conversations each day at an estimated cost per conversation of just £10. It is an initiative of the Mental Health Innovations charity.