Bedfordshire Complex Needs Services

Please ask for a referral from a care co-ordinator in a Community Mental Health Team.

Complex Needs Services in Bedfordshire is based at Disability Resource Centre in Dunstable (see the map below). However, the team is seeing patients in four other locations: Bedford, Biggleswade, Leighton Buzzard and Steppingley.

Addresses of the other locations:

Bedford PD Service

Day Resource Centre

Bedford Health Village, 3 Kimbolton Road

Bedfordshire MK40 2NT

Biggleswade PD Service

Complex Needs Service

The Lawns Complex, The Baulk

Bedfordshire, SG18 0PT

Leighton Buzzard PD Service

Crombie House

36 Hockliffe Street

Leighton Buzzard

Bedfordshire

LU7 1HJ

Steppingley PD Service

Meadow Lodge

Steppingley Hospital, Ampthill Road

Bedfordshire

MK45 1AB

Websites containing information about Personality Disorders and treatment:

• www.personalitydisorder.org.uk
• https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/personality-disorders/#.XS8fnMuouUk
• https://www.borderlinepersonalitydisorder.com/consumer-recovery-resources/
• https://www.verywellmind.com/borderline-personality-disorder-4157266

Websites containing information about mindfulness:

• https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
• https://www.mindful.org/the-three-minute-breathing-space-practice/

Nice Guidance for Treatment and Management of Personality Disorders:

• NICE Guidelines for Borderline Personality Disorder
• NICE Guidelines for Borderline Personality Disorder -  information for the public
• NICE Guidelines for Anti-Social Personality Disorder
• NICE Guidelines for Anti-Social Personality Disorder – information for the public

Peer Support:

•  Available 24/7, Big White Wall is a completely anonymous online community of people who are anxious, down or not coping who support and help each other. You can express yourself freely and openly. Professionally trained Wall Guides ensure the safety and anonymity of all members: https://www.bigwhitewall.com
• DBT Peer Support Group – for people who have completed DBT skills training and wish to continue practising using skills: https://www.mind-blmk.org.uk/how-we-can-help/bedford/dbt-graduate-peer-support-group/

Support for Carers Friends and Family

• The Complex Needs Service runs a monthly Carers, Friends and Family Support Group for those supporting someone with a Personality Disorder. The group aims to provide a confidential space to discuss issues people are facing and to enable people to obtain guidance and support on how to mange Personality Disorders effectively. The group also provides general information about Personality Disorder and treatment. If you are interested in joining, please contact the Complex Needs Service via email: elt-tr.complex.needsservice@nhs.net.

 For current Complex Needs Service users:

• If you are already participating in the Complex Needs Service Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Program, and require additional assistance with the application of skills you are learning, telephone skills coaching is available to you from 9am - 4.30pm (Mon-Fri). When you contact the coaching service you will be encouraged to use the skills you have already learned to help you manage the situation more effectively.

The time to phone the coaching team is:

• When you need help to deal with a problem you cannot solve on your own.
• When you are trying to use DBT skills, but want some advice on how to do so more effectively.
• Before self-harming or other destructive behaviours.

Getting help in a crisis:

• Saneline: 0300 304 7000 (4:30pm – 10:30pm every day) www.sane.org.uk
• Samaritans: 116 123 (24/7) www.samaritans.org

CASS – Women’s Self-Injury Helpline:
Provide UK-wide emotion support, listening, and signposting for anyone who identifies as a woman and is affected by self-injury, as well as their friends, family and carers.They can be contacted on 0808 800 8088 (Mon-Fri 7pm-10pm & Thurs 3pm-6pm).

If you have identified the need for professional help, this can be sought from:

• GP 
• NHS 111
• Emergency Social Work Service for out of hours social concerns 0300 300 8123

• Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) Duty Worker between 9:00 – 17:00 (Mon-Fri)

Crisis Team: Out of hours please contact:

• Bedfordshire - 01234 315691
• Luton - 01582 538631

 Accident and Emergency Department

• 999