Mental health text support now available 24 hours a day
Confidential mental health advice is now available to people in Northamptonshire 24 hours a day, every day, following the expansion of a free text message support service.
ChatHealth is for anyone living in the county aged 17.5 years and above, offering free and discreet mental health and wellbeing advice, including for feelings of overwhelm, anxiety and low mood.
Previously, the service was available from 9am to 5pm but now offers round-the-clock support 365 days a year to ensure that more people can benefit from the service in a way that works for them, day or night.
Users just send a text to 07480 635531 and they will receive an automatic reply with helpful information and guidance.
A trained health professional will then respond as soon as possible, typically within 30 minutes, for advice, support or signposting to other services which can help.
The secure NHS messaging service is designed to be accessible to anyone who might find it difficult to speak on the phone or in person. It can be used to talk about things like:
- Feeling anxious, stressed or low
- Relationships or family issues
- Sleep problems
- Self-harm or suicidal thoughts
- Anything else affecting your mental health or wellbeing
By expanding this service to 24 hours, NHFT is building on the strong foundation of the existing service offer, which has already helped thousands of people across Northamptonshire.
In May 2025 alone, the service received over 1,200 messages - and with the expansion to a 24 hour service, the team is ready to support even more people living in our county.
Real stories - how text message support has made a difference
- A 17-year-old who lives with autism found it difficult to engage over the phone and struggled to express emotions. With support from NHFT's confidential mental health text messaging service, they were able to communicate in their own words for the first time, something their family had never seen before. Together, they developed a plan for ongoing therapy and self-care, all without disrupting their routine.
- An individual was worried about their 73-year-old parent (known to services with a diagnosis of bipolar) and messaged our text messaging service. The parent did not want to communicate by telephone themselves, so a text response was sent to their relative, who agreed for someone to call. NHFT's Crisis Response Unit then provided a response to the home within an hour.
- A 43-year old struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and financial hardship reached out via text. They were facing eviction, food insecurity, and couldn't use the phone due to stress. Thanks to the service, they received emotional support, food vouchers, and help accessing benefits. With practical help and a listening ear, their situation became more stable and they were able to take the next steps toward recovery.