Expansion of text line options for Mikeysline, suicide prevention charity in advance of World Mental Health day

Mikeysline has announced that it is now able to offer three further options for people to contact them using a text- based approach. These include Facebook Messenger, Webchat and Twitter in addition to contacting Mikeysline via SMS text.

The enhanced service has come about through the experiences encountered during lockdown where the text line received three times the amount of contacts, but in addition many people, in particular younger people, tried to get in contact with the charity through other communication channels.  The aim is therefore to make the support service provided by Mikeysline more accessible and available to people of all ages who are experiencing emotional distress or mental health issues and for those in crisis.

The changes are also being made in recognition of the fact that almost 5 years since the charity started, technological advances have meant that people now wish to communicate in a range of ways and that SMS text is not always the communication channel of choice. In modernising the approach and the technology used it has unfortunately not been possible to retain the original text line number, however, a new SMS number is now in place, which people are being urged to add to their contacts and to help spread the word. The new text number is: 07786 207 755.  Anyone contacting the original number will receive a message advising them of the new number and  Mikeysline will also be publicising all the new contact details as widely as possible.

Donna Smith, Chair said: “We are delighted to be focusing on strengthening whilst preserving the text-based support options that Mikeysline has provided for the last five years.  At a time when more people are contacting our services and likely to benefit from them, we wanted to ensure that we were offering as many options as possible for people of all ages to access the support in a way that best meets their needs.”

Emily Stokes, Service Manager commented: “ We are very much aware of the technological changes over the past 5 years and the various options that people now use to get in contact with others. We wanted to ensure that Mikeysline kept up with these changes, whilst making the support we provide as accessible as possible and we felt that we needed to do that as soon as possible given the current climate.  We would hope to continue building on our options in the future as funding allows.”

Hunt for Highland NHS Hero is a real draw

 26 September 2020

The search is on for an NHS superhero in the Highlands to receive a limited edition print of an iconic image created by the world-renowed street artist, Banksy.

The suicide prevention charity, Mikeysline, has been given a print of the eye-catching artwork which hit the headlines after it appeared at Southampton General Hospital at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

In a gesture of appreciation for the dedication shown by NHS staff, Mikeysline, which operates a drop-in centre in Inverness and a text helpline, is now seeking nominations for a worthy recipient. It could include anyone in NHS Highland – such as domestic or catering staff, nurses, doctors and from any speciality including mental health – who has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

Donna Smith, chairwoman of Mikeysline, said it was a way of marking the work carried out by NHS staff. “We were delighted to be gifted this Banksy print and really proud to launch this call to recognise one of our many local NHS superheroes,” she said. “We all know NHS staff who work tirelessly in a variety of roles in normal times, let alone in the last six months, so we hope people can get busy nominating someone who they feel is deserving of recognition for the valuable work they do.” The print was donated by Ron Williamson, the founder of Mikeysline, who lives in Southampton.

He managed to buy one after the artist gave permission for a local group to run a limited edition replica of the canvas to be given out to individuals who had gone above and beyond the call of duty.

The original artwork is a largely monochrome painting and shows a young boy kneeling by a wastepaper basket dressed in dungarees and a T-shirt.

He has discarded his Spiderman and Batman model figures in favour of a new favourite action hero – an NHS nurse. The artist left a note for hospital workers, which read: “Thanks for all you’re doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it’s only black and white.” Mikeysline service manager Emily Stokes is urging the public to nominate their superhero, giving details of why they think that person deserves to win. “They need to make the case of why that person has gone above and beyond the call of duty,” she said. “It could be anyone who works directly for the NHS. It doesn’t matter what role it is, or what speciality.

“Mikeysline would like to show its appreciation and acknowledge the dedication of everyone in the NHS in the Highlands.”