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Appropriate to call 111?

12 replies

InAWhirl · 27/06/2026 00:29

This is going to sound pathetic and insane to some people, and that's okay, I get it. My youngest son finished primary school today (Scotland), and although I have feeling the loss of him as a very young child for months, I have really reached a peak today. I can't eat, I keep pacing, I've had to move his last year photos out of sight, my eyes are swollen from crying, I can't sleep. It feels like a monumental loss. There is context here, for example I left our loved home after the LL told me she was selling because I got a fright, and that home is in the village of my son's primary school, now we have no connection there. I've been going back and forth to that school for 11 years. I feel I maybe have another year if I'm lucky with him being childlike, he still holds my hand sometimes. They are the safest relationships I've ever had. I just need to talk to someone, I am also really feeling my mortality and the passing of time and I can't settle at all.

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
ShetlandishMum · 27/06/2026 00:32

No. What do you want an out of hour service to do?
Go to bed. Eat some chocolate. Do some mindfullness on YouTube and tomorrow will be a better day.

LifeOfAShowgirl13 · 27/06/2026 00:34

Hi. Sorry to hear you are struggling so much OP. Big life changes can really affect people in unexpected ways. I work in a mental health team who works closely with 111 and yes, this would be appropriate use of the service. They will be able to listen, offer suggestions of some strategies to cope with the difficultie, and if needed signpost on to other services. Don’t be put off it they put you on hold to type some notes after speaking to you for a bit, they will triage to make sure they signpost appropriately. Hope it is helpful for you.

LifeOfAShowgirl13 · 27/06/2026 00:35

ShetlandishMum · 27/06/2026 00:32

No. What do you want an out of hour service to do?
Go to bed. Eat some chocolate. Do some mindfullness on YouTube and tomorrow will be a better day.

Edited

111 option 2 is not an out of hour service, they are a 24/7 service. They can support with use of coping strategies which can be incredibly difficult to do independently when emotionally dysregulated.

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InAWhirl · 27/06/2026 00:37

LifeOfAShowgirl13 · 27/06/2026 00:34

Hi. Sorry to hear you are struggling so much OP. Big life changes can really affect people in unexpected ways. I work in a mental health team who works closely with 111 and yes, this would be appropriate use of the service. They will be able to listen, offer suggestions of some strategies to cope with the difficultie, and if needed signpost on to other services. Don’t be put off it they put you on hold to type some notes after speaking to you for a bit, they will triage to make sure they signpost appropriately. Hope it is helpful for you.

Thank you. I just feel in a lot of pain and fear. I am really struggling and because I'm being so stupid I'm alone with it, I don't know anyone that felt this awful, I wish I had someone just say that felt horrendous too. I just feel like its too much to take and I hate myself for being so intense with it.

OP posts:
ShetlandishMum · 27/06/2026 00:38

LifeOfAShowgirl13 · 27/06/2026 00:35

111 option 2 is not an out of hour service, they are a 24/7 service. They can support with use of coping strategies which can be incredibly difficult to do independently when emotionally dysregulated.

Friday night is out of hours staffed for emergency and acute care. This isn't.

LifeOfAShowgirl13 · 27/06/2026 00:41

InAWhirl · 27/06/2026 00:37

Thank you. I just feel in a lot of pain and fear. I am really struggling and because I'm being so stupid I'm alone with it, I don't know anyone that felt this awful, I wish I had someone just say that felt horrendous too. I just feel like its too much to take and I hate myself for being so intense with it.

Most of us will have “overreacted” to some life event or another - but I think how you are feeling is understandable especially given some of the context you shared. I don’t think you are being stupid. There will be lots of positives to come in the next chapter too though!

LifeOfAShowgirl13 · 27/06/2026 00:45

ShetlandishMum · 27/06/2026 00:38

Friday night is out of hours staffed for emergency and acute care. This isn't.

Do you work in these services? Because I do and that is not at all true for my local area. They are staffed according to expected need and they get a whole range of calls at all times of the day. Last time I was there, one caller was feeling overwhelmed with general life stuff and another was stressed about a neurodevelopmental assessment. It’s whay they are there for. Emergency and acute care is directed to A&E or Crisis Teams if needed.

Batties · 27/06/2026 00:56

The Samaritans are also an option

whippersnapper55 · 27/06/2026 13:16

Hi OP, just wanted to say I'm sorry you're feeling so awful and please don't feel that you're being stupid. Anxiety is horrible and not always rational but it is real. Please do call 111 and press 2 for mental health support, that's what it's there for. Hope you are feeling better very soon 💐

Bobbybobbins · 27/06/2026 13:26

Hope you are feeling better today OP. Longer term I would speak to your GP about your anxiety.

InAWhirl · 04/07/2026 10:11

Thank you everyone for your comments. I didn't call, I really needed someone to talk to, but I didnt want to use up resource. I am functional, but going to speak to a GP on Thursday. I can't take time off work but I'm going to ask for a link worker. Anxiety is showing up a lot, I feel embarrassed and my face is bright red and dry mouth, which made meetings this week tough.

Thank you so much

OP posts:
Treviarpelli · 04/07/2026 10:57

Could you try a different service such as Samaritans or Gingerbread for single parents? You sound very alone which won’t be helping.
I think you could do with some help with how to look more positively to changes and the future so you can model that behaviour and attitude to your child

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