A short-term pilot out of hours crisis support service for people in North Perthshire experiencing difficulties with mental health, mental wellbeing, substance use and/or suicidal thoughts begins operating on Friday 13 March 2026.
The service has been developed as a test of change following community engagement and liaison between the Council and key partners in the area. This identified gaps in crisis support where concerns do not meet the threshold for NHS intervention but require a compassionate, non-judgmental response that will explore needs and look at the options available for support.
Over the next sixteen weeks, the service will operate on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 8pm to 2am, and will be run by existing social work staff with extensive experience, training and skills who will be available to respond by phone, text message, outreach visits to people's homes, or via walk-ins to the Jessie Street office in Blairgowrie between 8.30pm and 1am.
Councillor Tom McEwan, the Council's Housing and Social Wellbeing Convener said: "This project is aimed at putting in place the type of crisis support people in our communities need, when and where it is most required. We want to complement existing services provided by our partners including the NHS, Police and third sector and the impact of the service will be closely monitored and evaluated to inform future service development in this area and throughout Perth and Kinross as a whole."
The out of hours service will be available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights from 8pm on Friday 13 March 2026 by calling or messaging 07917 243389.
