Staff at one of Scotland’s leading mental health and suicide prevention charities are reflecting on their achievements as the organisation celebrates its seventh anniversary.
Mikeysline was the first mental health charity of its kind to offer text-based support. Initially offering this via SMS, over time this service has been expanded to include WhatsApp, live web chat, Twitter and Messenger support – giving service users as many routes to support as possible.
Demand for Mikeysline’s services has increased by 80 per cent since the Covid pandemic and related lockdowns – with its team of text line volunteers increasing from eight in early 2020 to 35 today.
CEO Emily Stokes said:
“Mikeysline was founded in 2015 in the wake of tragedy, when Martin Shaw and Michael Williamson sadly took their lives within 48 hours of each other.
“From our roots as a suicide prevention charity, we have worked over the past seven years to widen our services to offer support to anyone in emotional distress or struggling with the stresses of life.
“Sometimes the hardest part of addressing an issue is to talk about it out loud, which is why our text-based services are so important. It allows people to communicate with us on their own terms and gain the support and advice they need in a way that suits them and their situation.”
Since 2015, Mikeysline has offered confidential, non-judgmental support to people of all ages dealing with mental health issues, emotional distress or thoughts of suicide in the Highlands and Moray. It does this via a text line service at 07786 207755; WhatsApp at 01463 729000 and via its website; and live chat, Twitter and Messenger via its website.
The anniversary comes as UK Charity Week (December 5-9) recognises the achievements of charities like Mikeysline up and down the country.
For more information, visit www.mikeysline.co.uk – or find Mikeysline on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Mikeysline offers a text line support service at +44(0)7786 207755 and via WhatsApp at +44(0)1463 729000 and also via its website, Facebook Messenger, and Twitter. For more information visit mikeysline.co.uk.
If you are struggling, there are always people you can talk to any time. In the UK, you can call Samaritans on 116 123 – calls are free any time, from any phone. Or you can text SHOUT to 85258.
If you live in the USA, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988, and you can also contact the Crisis Text Line (text HELLO to 741741).