#fastest ambulance service

[red-archivist]

TMAGP 23 SPOILERS!

i heard those lines and was immediately inspired to make something sad lol

~

Twenty years ago, Jonathan Sims quits smoking.

Twenty years ago, Martin Blackwood’s mother survives her second stroke.

Twenty years ago, Jonathan Sims quits smoking.

It’s not enough to just stop, the shakes and the headaches nip at him constantly, and he reluctantly concludes that bad habits need to replaced by better ones.

That’s where the cycling comes in, to start with.

It’s exercise, it’s eco-friendly, and he can pretend he is literally leaving his cravings behind him as he pushes hard on the pedals.

He does his homework first, researching what is the best option for city cycling, for his budget, for someone that hasn’t ridden a bike since they were nine.

He plots out his paths to the office, the shops, and the nearest puncture repair centre, just in case. He even makes a spreadsheet to keep track of them.

He is sure Tim would poke fun at him for it, if they were still talking, but the organisation keeps his twitching fingers busy and his roaming mind away from the half-finished box of cigarettes in his desk drawer that he promises he will throw away any day now.

What all that planning fails to account for, as soon as he actually gets onto the road, is the rest of the world moving around him.

Every stereotype he has heard about antagonistic drivers is proven ten-fold as he dodges swerving cars and gets sworn at for whizzing past stalled traffic. He soon learns to sneer through tinted windows.

Pedestrians are almost worse. They seem blind to him, stepping out directly in front of his wheels and making him wobble as he overcorrects. As if a bike can’t still do some damage if he were to actually hit someone. Once, he clips the edge of a pram and stops in the street to shout some sense into the careless father pushing it.

He bitches openly about this during his lunches and his coworkers only roll their eyes at him sometimes.

The cycling becomes a bit of running joke in the office when they spot him coming in with his bike shorts and change of outfit, but he ignores them. The shorts are practical. For some reason, telling them that only makes them laugh harder.

He takes the fastest route into the office and a scenic one home. It winds through quiet well-off estates, before opening out to one of the less well-known urban parks. It’s calming, almost meditative, to roll through the cool shade the cluttered trees offer after another meaningless day of data entry.

In those times, he doesn’t think of his empty flat or his dead-end job, he forgets his sniggering coworkers and his ever-dwindling contact list. It’s just him and the wind.

The only thing that could make those moments better, he admits to himself, is a smoke.

The problem with this particular path is how hard it is to see around corners in the park. There is some national re-wilding initiative in the works and the foliage looms over the roads in a way that block his line of sight.

He checks every turn, even though it is rare to encounter a car in this area. Better safe than sorry.

The night he dies is warm but overcast.

He follows his usual route and cranes his neck to see around the overgrown corner he is approaching. A drooping branch grazes his head and something falls from the tree onto his neck.

It could be a leaf, or a twig, or a ladybird, but Jon feels the whisper-touch of something small at his throat and his only thought is: spider.

He has been afraid of them since he was very young and terrified instinct immediately beats any reason. One hand flies up from the handlebars to bat away at his collar. He swerves. Fear makes him pedal faster and the bike speeds onto the junction.

He is so scared of the potential at his throat that he never even sees the delivery truck.

The bike is sent flying from the impact, Jon falls under the wheels.

The driver, to his credit, calls emergency services immediately, distraught.

The ambulance is there within five minutes, but they needn’t have bothered. Jon is declared dead at the scene with a broken neck.

What few friends he has left comfort each other with that fact.

At least it was quick.

~

Twenty years ago, Martin Blackwood’s mother survives her second stroke.

This is a good thing, Martin reminds himself, more than once. It is Good that his mother is alive.

It doesn’t matter that the nurses need to attend to her around-the-clock now. It doesn’t matter that the care home bills have skyrocketed. He is grateful that she is still with him.

He starts looking for a third job. The admin work during the day and the shelf-stocking at night barely covered his previous bills. He’ll have to look for some flexible positions to cram into his schedule.

In the meantime, he cuts back. Eats cheaply, eats less. Cancels overdue check-ups and doesn’t touch the heating.

His days are a current of constant worry, occasionally breached by a wave of panic that he tries to quell by hiding in the office bathroom and digging his nails into his legs.

Panic won’t pay the rent or keep the lights on or remember to call Mum every Sunday. He smothers it deep in his chest and ignores the spasm of pain he gets whenever he forces it down.

He has been getting those more often; sharp, sudden chest pains, numb fingers, dizzy spells, an aching back, shortness of breath.

He had been going to ask the doctor about it all before he cancelled the appointment but. Well. Needs must.

He has his first heart attack on the evening shift.

Pulling a box of washing up tablets from the top shelf in Aisle 4 causes such a rush of agony in his chest that he dares to ask the manager to take his 15-minute break early.

He doesn’t make it to the back room before he collapses.

In the hospital, after he wakes, the doctors ask if there is a family history of heart problems.

If he didn’t feel so weak he would laugh.

He has more in common with his mother then he likes to admit. Of course they share a bad heart.

Or maybe it came from his father. Mum always said he was heartless. Maybe there’s a hole where Dad’s DNA should be.

When the medical team leaves him to rest, all he can think is how much this will cost him.

The NHS is no charity no matter what their marketing says, not to mention how much money he will lose by recovering. He can’t afford six weeks of not working. His first job doesn’t have that much sick leave and his second doesn’t have any.

He runs the numbers in his head, tries to find what else he can hack out of his life to keep his head above water. Occasionally his thoughts swerve, self-recriminating and barbed. He is so stupid for letting this happen at all.

It’s all his fault.

Mum is going to be so angry with him.

His heart pulses in keen pain, bitter and broken.

Somehow, he drifts off, counting figures instead of sheep.

The second heart attack kills him in his sleep.

~

They die on the same day, at nearly the same time (Jon rushes ahead, always too eager, Martin follows inevitably after him).

Their death certificates are filed away alphabetically by a bored clerk in the dusty management system of the General Register Office.

Twenty years later, Samama Khalid exhumes them and examines them, with more curiosity than sense, only to be disappointed by the mundanity of their ends.

He returns them together, heedless of any organisation.

Jon and Martin meet, in the quiet and the dark.

The filing cabinet is a shared headstone, their names rest side-by-side.

~

Also on AO3

[camisoledadparis]

THIS DAY IN GAY HISTORY

based on: The White Crane Institute's 'Gay Wisdom', Gay Birthdays, Gay For Today, Famous GLBT, glbt-Gay Encylopedia, Today in Gay History, Wikipedia, and more … February 1

Joe & Lord Tod Wadley

1900 – Marion Barbara 'Joe' Carstairs (d.1993) was a wealthy British power boat racer known for her speed and her eccentric lifestyle. In the 1920s she was known as the ‘fastest woman on water’.

Carstairs was born in 1900 in Mayfair, London, England, the daughter of Fannie Bostwick, an American heiress. Joe Carstairs' legal father was Scottish army officer Captain Albert Carstairs, first of the Royal Irish Rifles and later the Princess of Wales's Own. Captain Carstairs re-enlisted with the Army the week before Joe was born; he and Evelyn divorced soon afterwards.

Carstairs' mother, an alcoholic and drug addict, later married Captain Francis Francis, with whom she had two more children. She divorced Captain Francis to marry French count Roger de Périgny in 1915, but eventually left him because of his infidelity. Her fourth and last husband, whom she married in 1920, was Serge Voronoff, a Russian–French surgeon who become famous in the 1920s and 1930s for his practice of transplanting monkey testicle tissue into male humans for the claimed purpose of rejuvenation.

Carstairs lived a colourful life. She usually dressed as a man; had tattooed arms; and loved machines, adventure and speed. Openly lesbian, she had numerous affairs with women, including Dolly Wilde—Oscar Wilde's niece and a fellow ambulance driver from Dublin with whom she had lived in Paris—and a string of actresses, most notably Greta Garbo, Tallulah Bankhead, and Marlene Dietrich.

During World War I, Carstairs served in France with the American Red Cross, driving ambulances. After the war, she served with Britain’s Royal Army Service Corps in France, re-burying the war-dead; and in Dublin with the Women's Legion Mechanical Transport Section, which acted as transport for British officers during the Irish War of Independence.

Joe Carstairs married a childhood friend, the French aristocrat Count Jacques de Pret, on 7 January 1918 in Paris. The purpose of the marriage was simply to allow Carstairs’ access to her trust fund independently of her mother. The marriage was annulled immediately after her mother's death on the grounds of non-consummation. By means of a deed poll, she renounced her married name and resumed using the name Carstairs in February 1922.

In 1920, with three former colleagues from the Women's Legion Mechanical Transport Section, she started the X Garage, a car-hire and chauffeuring service that featured a women-only staff of drivers and mechanics. Carstairs (and her friends and lovers) lived in a flat above the garage, which was situated near Cromwell Gardens in London's fashionable South Kensington district.

Several of the X-Garage staff had served as drivers during the war and spoke French, German, or Italian. The cars and drivers could be hired for long-distance trips and the business specialised in taking grieving relatives for visits to war-graves and former battlefields in France and Belgium. They were also hired for journeys within London and the garage had an arrangement with the Savoy Hotel to transport guests to the theatre or to shows. During the early 1920s, X-Garage cars were a familiar sight in London's fashionable circles.

In 1925, X-Garage closed and Carstairs inherited a fortune from Standard Oil via her mother and grandmother. The same year, she had her first speedboat built and named it Gwen after one of her former lovers. With it, she won her first trophy, the Southampton Water trophy.

She was also given a Steiff doll by a girlfriend, Ruth Baldwin, naming it Lord Tod Wadley. She became exceptionally attached to this doll, keeping it with her until her death, although—unlike Donald Campbell's mascot 'Mr Whoppit'—she didn't take it into her speedboats for fear of losing it. She had clothes made for it in Savile Row and had its name placed with her own on the name plaque on the door of her London apartment.

Between 1925 and 1930, Carstairs spent considerable time in powerboats and became a very successful racer winning many notable trophies – the Duke of York's Trophy in 1926, the Royal Motor Yacht Club International Race, the Daily Telegraph Cup, the Bestise Cup, and the Lucina cup.

Carstairs was known for her generosity to her friends. She was close to several male racing drivers and land speed record competitors, using her considerable wealth to assist them. She paid $10,000 of her money to fund the building of one of the Blue Bird land speed record cars for Sir Malcolm Campbell, who once described her as "the greatest sportsman I know."

After selling Whale Cay, her lavish island home in the Bahamas in 1975, Carstairs relocated to Miami, Florida.  Carstairs died in Naples, Florida, in 1993 at the age of 93. Lord Tod Wadley was cremated with her.

1901 – Clark Gable (d.1960) was an American film actor, often referred to as The King of Hollywood or just simply as The King. Gable began his career as a stage actor and appeared as an extra in silent films between 1924 and 1926, and progressed to supporting roles with a few films for MGM in 1931. The next year he landed his first leading Hollywood role and became a leading man in more than 60 motion pictures over the next three decades.

Gable was arguably best known for his role as Rhett Butler in the epic Gone with the Wind (1939), for which he received his third nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He was also nominated for leading roles in Mutiny on the Bounty (1935), and he won for It Happened One Night (1934).His final screen appearance was The Misfits (1961) with Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift.

When Clark Gable first arrived in Hollywood in 1925, he would do anything or use anyone to advance his career. His first two wives were decidedly unglamorous older women; he was a kept man living the lifestyle of a star. As soon as Gable touched the limelight, he abandoned his second wife and followed wherever his penis led. He tore through Hollywood’s women with the appetite of a starving teenager, with one notable exception.

Gable had one homosexual encounter that is well documented. The young Clarke Gable engaged in oral sex with fellow MGM player Billy Haines in order to establish himself at the studio. Billy Haines, who was the most popular male film star of 1930, was the hub of gay Hollywood. He told all his friends about his sexual hookup with Clark Gable in the late 1920s, which was unusual, since Haines usually never bragged about such things. Haines knew first hand the damage that could be caused by a public knowledge of homosexuality. Joan Crawford confirmed the story, and her testament holds up under scrutiny because she was the lifelong best friend of both men. She had no reason to lie about either star, and she cherished the friendship of both.

More than ten years later Gable avenged his gay encounter. Hollywood was awash with both homosexuals and Jews, and Gable let it be known that he held both in disdain. By 1939 Gable had come to personify the image of a super macho male star. During filming of Gone with the Wind, Gable was uncomfortable by the presence of Billy Haines, who visited the set as a guest of director George Cukor (who was both homosexual and Jewish).The legend goes that actor Andy Lawler was at a Hollywood party later and announced, quite loudly and quite likely high on cocaine, that "George is directing one of Billy's old tricks." The laugh at Gable’s expense got back to him, and he was outraged. He snarled on set, "I won't be directed by a fairy," which so enraged Cukor that he walked off the set.

MGM decided it needed Gable more than Cukor for this project, and Victor Fleming was ushered in as replacement director, even though Cukor had already worked for two years on preproduction and early filming. Although Gone with the Wind became one of the great films of all time, the incident didn’t harm the career of George Cukor, who immediately began working on The Women and continued to make top grossing films.

Gable was crowned “The King of Hollywood”, but Carol Lombard joked: "if his cock was one inch shorter, they'd be calling him "the Queen of Hollywood. God knows I love Clark, but he's the worst lay in town."

And Tallulah Bankhead commented, "if his dick was one inch shorter, his name would be Betty Grable, not Clark Gable."

1935 – Christian Haren, prominent AIDS activist, entrepreneur, and actor, was born (d.1996).

Born and raised in California, Haren served a short stint in the army. After leaving the service, he began working as an actor. In the 1960s Haren received a studio contract from MGM and starred in Vincente Minnelli's Bells Are Ringing, Otto Preminger's In Harm's Way, and Billy Rose's Jumbo. He starred on Broadway in the Bertolt Brecht play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui, produced by Tony Richardson.

He is best remembered for playing the role of the Marlboro Man in print advertisements in the early 1960s.

Haren was openly gay and the proprietor of the popular Palm Springs gay bar CC Construction Co. in later years. In 1985 he was diagnosed with AIDS and became active in AIDS prevention education. He started "The Wedge", a "safe sex" AIDS prevention organization for teens in San Francisco. Haren died on February 27, 1996, in San Francisco, California of complications from AIDS, aged 61. His life was the subject of the 1998 documentary short Castro Cowboy.

1949 – France: The Paris Prefect of Police issues a decree forbidding men from dancing together in public.

1983 – Ronnie Kroell is an American fashion model, actor & singer best known for appearing on the first season of the Bravo reality series Make Me a Supermodel.

Kroell was born in Chicago, Illinois, and attended Niles North High School in Skokie. There, he became interested in theater. After a break, he attended Harper College, earning his associate degree in political science.

Kroell appeared on season one of Bravo's Make Me a Supermodel. In the show, Ronnie entered into a notable bromance with fellow contestant Ben DiChiara, which was dubbed "Bronnie". He became very popular on the show and won the title of "Fan Favorite" despite placing second behind Holly Kiser.

Following his appearance on the series, Kroell continued to work to establish himself as a model. He signed a contract with New York Model Management and has walked the catwalks for designers such as Philip Sparks, Loris Diran, Malan Breton and Richie Rich. He also featured the cover of Next and Instinct magazines. In June 2010, Ronnie graced the cover of Playgirl magazine along with a provocative layout shot by the internationally renowned fashion photographer Lope Navo. Kroell is currently working on developing a fragrance line and filming a new reality show. Ronnie is the founder of the Friend Movement,LLC organization which is supported by celebrity friends Lisa Vanderpump & Adam Lambert. Kroell co starred in the fourth installment of Q. Allan Brocka's popular Eating Out series, "Eating Out 4: Drama Camp". Ronnie made an appearance in the Andrew Christian mini-challenge as a featured underwear model in an episode of RuPaul's Drag Race.

Kroell is openly gay. Ronnie has been the guest of honor and/or the grand marshal at gay pride events all across the United States.

Ronnie is very much involved in charity and awareness campaigns. Kroell has also contributed to the "I talk about HIV/AIDS Because..." campaign. In addition, Ronnie has worked with Equality Maryland, Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), Human Rights Campaign, American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Latino Commission on AIDS (LCOA).

1988 – In February, The Kids in the Hall, a sketch comedy series whose cast includes the openly gay Scott Thompson, debuts on CBC Television. Sketches such as Thompson's character Buddy Cole and the ensemble sketch "The Steps" were among the most visible representations of gay culture on Canadian television during the show's run.

The Kids in the Hall comedy group formed in 1984, consisting of comedians Dave Foley, Kevin McDonald, Bruce McCulloch, Mark McKinney, and Scott Thompson. Their eponymous television show ran from 1988 to 1994 on CBC in Canada, and 1989 to 1995 on CBS and HBO in the United States.

The name of the group came from Sid Caesar, who, if a joke didn't go over, or played worse than expected, would attribute it to "the kids in the hall," referring to a group of young writers hanging around the studio.

The show's sketches were reminiscent of Monty Python's Flying Circus: often quirky or surreal, frequently utilizing drag, with very few celebrity impressions or pop culture parodies; the only recurring celebrity impression was of Queen Elizabeth II, played by Thompson. A recurring character was Mr. Tyzik, played by McKinney, who pretended to crush people's heads from a distance with his fingers. McKinney also played Chicken Lady, a shrill-voiced sexually excitable human-chicken hybrid. Many of the sketches featured gay characters and themes; most of these sketches were written by and starred Scott Thompson, who is openly gay. The show was also notable for reflecting and dealing with the youth subculture of its times, and for incisive sketches about big business and family units.

1992 – Darryl Pinckney's first novel High Cotton is published. Pinckney, born in Indianapolis, Indiana (b.1953), is an American novelist, playwright, and essayist.

Pinckney grew up in a middle-class African-American family in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he attended local public schools. He was educated at Columbia University in New York City.

Some of Pinckney's first professional works were theatre texts, plays developed in collaboration with director Robert Wilson. These included the produced works of The Forest (1988) and Orlando (1989). Pinckney returned to theatre with Time Rocker (1995).

His first novel was High Cotton (1992), a semi-autobiographical novel about "growing up black and bourgeois" in 1960s America. His second novel was Black Deutschland (2016), about a young gay black man in Berlin in the late 1980s, just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Pinckney is also a frequent contributor to the New York Review of Books, Granta, Slate, and The Nation. He frequently explores issues of racial and sexual identities, as expressed in literature.

In the 21st century, Pinckney has published two collections of essays on African-American literature. He has expressed his admiration for the writing of the long-running American CBS soap opera, As the World Turns.

His partner is English poet James Fenton; the couple has been together since 1989. Pinckney lives in New York City and Oxfordshire, England.

2009 – On this date Jóhanna Sigurðardóttir became the world's first openly Gay prime minister, when Iceland elected her to head up a new parliament. In 2002 she joined in a civil union with the Icelandic author and playwright. The couple legally maried in 2010. Jónína Leósdóttir.

2012 – An utterly misnamed group called OneMillionMoms made headlines by calling for a boycott of the Dallas-based department store JC Penney for having hired Ellen DeGeneres as its spokesperson. A "project" of the hate group American Family Association, OneMillionMoms was offended that JC Penney had hired an open homosexual spokesperson when most of its customers are "traditional families."

In response to the organization's threat of a boycott, JC Penney president Michael Francis issued a press release declaring, "We share the same fundamental values as Ellen. We couldn't think of a better partner to help us put the fun back into the retail experience."

[vriskaserketdaily]

Announcement; CW for graphic descriptions of medical emergencies & discussions of death/mortality

so, yesterday i briefly mentioned that i had been hospitalized. i unknowingly consumed edibles, became anxious and hyperactive, had a full-blown panic attack, and believing myself to be in the mother of all caffeine overdoses (2 cups of black tea) or having a heart attack or both, called emergency services, and was hospitalized with severe tachycardia.

i genuinely thought i was dying, sitting outside in my pajamas with my back to the mailbox post waiting for the EMTs to arrive. i still thought i was dying two hours later, struggling to breathe in the hospital room with my parents beside me.

i thought about a lot of things in the time between calling the emergency number and being lifted into the ambulance. i didn't want this blog to be my only legacy when i have so much more to do and be and make. i have other hobbies---knitting, crochet, playing guitar & composing music, and especially writing. i haven't drawn or written about my ocs in years, even during the recent hiatus, and i would like to change that.

to that end, i will not be drawing vriskas on a daily basis or consistently updating the fan art queue for the forseeable future. i will still draw vriska, especially if there are requests in the inbox, but i won't be going out of my way to squeeze out fan art when i'm ill, busy in other areas of my life, or generally not feeling it.

i will be keeping this blog up. i will not be changing the url because i fought too hard for a hypen-free daily vriska url and i'm not giving it up that easily. perhaps, after a year or two, i may even resume daily vriskas and normal blog operations.

COMMON QUESTIONS:

are you like, okay? i think i'm fine, physically? i was discharged after about four hours in the hospital and was able to move and eat and stuff today. i still feel some soreness/tightness in the chest, but i think that's to be expected given the circumstances.

can we still send requests? YES please omg. the interactions i have had through requests have been so positive and rewarding that it'd be difficult for me to fully give this blog up. even something as simple as "draw vriska" will function as a request. one thing that's been going through my head a lot lately is the thought that i could die and no one here would notice or care, so having tangible assurance that there is at least one person in the world who wants to see my vriska art would be very meaningful in that regard. i may not respond immediately, but i will respond to all requests that conform to the blog rules and mission (no nsfw, no pedophilic/incestuous ships, must involve vriska in some way)

will you consider opening mod applications? no, both because i don't think there would be too many takers for the position and because i know from experience that the fastest way to kill a daily blog is to load it up with a bunch of mods. (i am not the original owner of this blog and have moderated a few other multi-mod blogs before---i am currently the sole mod of the two i stuck with, this being one of them). i'd rather keep this blog half-active with just me than have it be completely inactive with me and 3-6 other people. again, there's a chance that after a year or so of taking things slow, i may come back to it.

can we tag you in art/fics/vriska posts? yes, actually, that would be very helpful. i don't expect anyone to do this, but again, i will no longer be actively perusing the character tag. feel free to @ me in vriska-related posts you think could use a little love.

if i have a daily vriska blog, will you promote me? sure! genuinely, i wish you luck---i've seen a couple of y'all come and go, and it really takes a lot to keep a blog like this running for more than three months. if you can do that you will be certified spiders for real.

where else can we find you? my main blog is @beangods, where i reblog posts that are not about vriska. you can send art requests there, too, but they cannot be related to vriska. that's what this blog is for. i also moderate @theextendedzodiacas, which is mostly fantroll-oriented. i'm on discord, too, but you won't find me on any other social media site.

is the vriskord still up? yes, it is, and you can join it, though the server is not very active. i don't plan on taking the server down or anything like that.

eighth question eighth answer 8ottom text

please feel free to reach out to me, and i'll be happy to answer any questions that i can. thank you for your understanding, and i'll see you . . . in probably a few days when i draw the 1 request currently sitting in the inbox.

thanks for reading all this.

-mod 8

[traumacatholic]

UK Support Services Numbers and Websites

NHS 24 Phone number: 111 (Open 24/7 every day of the year) Website for Scotland: https://www.nhs24.scot/ Website for England: https://www.england.nhs.uk/urgent-emergency-care/nhs-111/ Website for Wales: https://111.wales.nhs.uk/

The service is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year and is intended for 'urgent but not life-threatening' health issues although 111 operators in England are able to dispatch ambulances when appropriate using the NHS Pathways triage system. If needed, NHS 111 can book patients in to be seen at their local A&E / emergency department or an urgent treatment centre, emergency dental services, pharmacy or another more appropriate local service.

SAMARITANS Phone number: 116 123 (Open 24/7, every day of the year) https://www.samaritans.org/

Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, often through its telephone helpline. Its name derives from the biblical Parable of the Good Samaritan although the organisation itself is not religious.

BREATHING SPACE [SCOTLAND ONLY] Phone number: 0800 83 85 87 (24 Hours at weekends - 6pm Friday to 6AM Monday - 6pm to 2am on Weekdays (Monday - Thursday) https://breathingspace.scot/

Breathing Space is a psychological counselling service in Scotland for people feeling depressed, or with other urgent psychological problems. It has a telephone helpline, a web interface, and a British Sign Language webcam interface, all staffed by trained advisers who offer guidance and referral. The service is funded by the Scottish Government Health Directorate and NHS 24, and is operationally managed by NHS 24. It is their belief and hope that by empowering people, they will have the resources to recover. Breathing Space complements the work of other phonelines and agencies which are endeavouring to reduce suicide rates in Scotland.

AGE UK Phone number: 0800 678 1602 (Open 8am to 7pm, every day of the year) Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/

The over-60s is the fastest-growing group in society and there are more of us than ever before. Ageing is not an illness, but it can be challenging. At Age UK we provide services and support at a national and local level to inspire, enable and support older people. We stand up and speak for all those who have reached later life, and also protect the long-term interests of future generations.

CRUSE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT Phone number: 0808 808 1677 (Monday - Thursday 9:30AM to 3pm. Closed Friday to Sunday. On Christmas and Boxing Day 10AM to 2PM. Closed on New Years Day) Websites: cruse.org.uk // hopeagain.org.uk // crusescotland.org.uk // cruseisleofman.org

Cruse Bereavement Support is the UK's largest charity for bereaved people in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with a sister organisation in Scotland. Cruse offers face-to-face, group, telephone, email and website support to people after someone close to them has died and works to enhance society's care of bereaved people. Cruse has a freephone national helpline (0808 808 1677) and local services throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Cruse also has a specialist website for young people, hopeagain.org.uk. Cruse services are provided by trained volunteers and are confidential. Cruse also provides training and consultancy for organisations and for those who may come into contact with bereaved people in the course of their work

SHELTER Phone number: 0808 800 4444 (Monday to Friday, 8AM to 8PM // Weekends and bank holidays: 9AM to 5PM) Phone number for Wales: 08000 495 495 (Monday to Friday, 9AM to 4PM) Phone number for Northern Ireland: 028 9024 5640 (Monday to Friday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Closed on public holidays) Website for Scotland: https://scotland.shelter.org.uk/ Website for England: https://england.shelter.org.uk/ Website for Wales: https://sheltercymru.org.uk/ Website for Northern Ireland: https://www.housingrights.org.uk/

Shelter is a registered charity that campaigns for tenant rights in Great Britain. It gives advice, information and advocacy to people and lobbies government and local authorities for new laws and policies. It works in partnership with Shelter Cymru in Wales and the Housing Rights Service in Northern Ireland. Shelter helps people in housing need by providing advice and practical assistance, and campaigns for better investment in housing and for laws and policies to improve the lives of homeless and badly housed people.

NATIONAL DEBT HELPLINE Phone number: 0808 808 4000 (Monday to Friday 9AM to 8PM, Saturday 9:30AM to 1PM and closed on Sunday) Website: https://nationaldebtline.org/

National Debtline is a debt advice charity run by the Money Advice Trust. We are a free and confidential debt advice service for people in England, Wales and Scotland. We have helped millions of people deal with their debts. Our team of expert debt advisers care about improving your situation and will help you to take control of your debts. You can call, webchat or use our Digital Advice Tool to get free advice. If you haven’t contacted us before and want to know what the best way to deal with your debts is, see our Getting ready for advice fact sheet first. Our debt advisers come from a variety of different backgrounds. All of them are dedicated to helping you tackle your debts.

DOMESTIC ABUSE HELPLINE (This service is for women only, please see the below resource if you are a man seeking support) Phone number: 0808 2000 247 (Available 24/7) Website: https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk

We are a team of highly-trained, female advisers. We won’t judge you or tell you what to do; we are here to listen. We will empower you to understand your options and support you to make any decisions about the future. We can support you to increase your safety. We can help you find a refuge place, or other specialist services. We can talk in confidence, in many different languages, 24-hours a day, 365 days a year, for as long as you need.

MEN'S DOMESTIC ABUSE ADVICELINE (This service is for men only, please see the above resource if you are a woman seeking support) Phone number: 0808 801 0327 (Monday to Friday 10AM to 5PM) Website: https://mensadviceline.org.uk/

Men’s Advice Line is a team of friendly Advisors who will listen and believe you. Our team are available to offer you non-judgmental support, practical advice and information. Men’s Advice Line is for men who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse, and for those supporting them: concerned friends or family members, Frontline Workers assisting male victims, are all welcome to call us for information and support. We are strongly committed to offering a high-quality service. The Men’s Advice Line was accredited for the fourth time by the Helplines Partnership in June 2022.

SHOUT CONFIDENTIAL TEXT SERVICE Phone number 85258 (Available 24/7) Website: https://giveusashout.org/get-help/

Shout 85258 is a free, confidential, anonymous text support service. You can text us from wherever you are in the UK. If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, our trained Shout Volunteers are here for you, day or night. They can help with a range of issues such as anxiety and stress, depression or sadness, suicidal thoughts, self-harm, panic attacks, loneliness or isolation, abuse and bullying. Texting the word ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout Volunteer, who will text you back and forth. You only need to share what you feel comfortable with and our volunteers will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better. We will always try to respond to messages as quickly as possible, however our responses will be longer at times of high demand. We will always respond to high risk texters as a priority. Please take a look out our online resources while you wait.

MIND INFOLINE Phone number: 0300 123 3393 (Monday to Friday 9AM to 6PM, closed on bank holidays as well as on the 25th and 26th of December as well as the 1st of January) Website: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helplines/

Calls from UK landlines are charged at local rates. Charges from mobile telephones vary. The charge for your call will depend on your mobile phone provider and the contract that you have with them. Mind does not get any money from telephone calls. You can ask us about: Mental health problems Where to get help near you Treatment options Advocacy services Welfare benefits (ask to speak to a welfare adviser) Our Infoline is an information and signposting service. We don’t provide a listening service or a crisis service, but our crisis helplines page lists many services that do. We want to reassure you, you won’t ever be without a place for support. As well as our Infoline, our email or web chat service, there are lots of other ways to get support.

YOUNG MINDS TEXT SERVICE (This service is for 11 - 25 year olds. If you fall out of this age range, please look at the other resources available). Website: https://www.themix.org.uk/get-support/speak-to-our-team

Our trained team provides help for young people aged 11-25. This Mix isn't just about young people and mental health, we also provide support for relationship issues, working life, school life, housing, depression and any other issues all year round. Call our support helpline, email us or chat one-to-one online 4pm-11pm Monday to Friday, sign up for free counselling online or text our 24/7 crisis line. If you feel like you can’t cope or are worried about how you are feeling, you can contact our crisis messenger 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by texting THEMIX to 85258. Our text messaging support service is free and for any issue. We provide in-the-moment support and problem solving when you need it most. This service is delivered in partnership with Crisis Text Line and Shout. If you’re aged 11-25 and need help but don’t know where to turn, call us for FREE on 0808 808 4994. We’ll explore your situation with you and find organisations that may be able to help you further. We're open from 4pm to 11pm Monday to Friday. Please note that this service is closed on weekends. The helpline will be closing between the 25th December and 2nd January (our email service will still be running).

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FALC Emergency Train Ambulance in Lucknow Efficiently Handles Critical Emergencies

FALC Emergency Train Ambulance Service in Lucknow offers the safest, fastest, and most efficient medical transportation for critical patients in the city and surrounding areas, ensuring expert care throughout the journey.

Website: https://www.falconemergency.com/train-ambulance-services-from-lucknow/

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King Train Ambulance Service in Patna and Guwahati is Commonly Hired during a Medical Relocation

Our services include ICU ambulance provision staffed by the best medical professionals in Patna. King Train Ambulance Services in Patna and Guwahati provides the best transfer service by scheduling the fastest trains. We always reach our destination on time.

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Panchmukhi Air and Train Ambulance Service became a Lifesaver for Needy Patients

I remember a time when my family was in a sudden health emergency, and I was looking for a reliable ambulance service in Jamshedpur. That’s when I came across Panchmukhi Air and Train Ambulance Services in Jamshedpur. I was relieved that they have the service for air as well as train ambulances to deliver the fastest possible medical help. The staffs were professional and nice and kept making sure we were comfortable all along. They dealt with everything carefully and made such a stressful situation manageable.

Hire Panchmukhi Air and Train Ambulance Services in Siliguri For Smooth Transfer

Later, when my cousin faced a health issue in Siliguri, I immediately recommended Panchmukhi Air and Train Ambulance Services in Siliguri. They were just like my experience in Jamshedpur. The whole process was very smooth, and my cousin got the medical attention he needed without any delay. I recommend Panchmukhi to everyone who needs quick and sure emergency transportation.

Our previous short Blog: Panchmukhi Air and Train Ambulance Service is a Lifesaver for the People of Raipur and Ranchi

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"Immediate Ambulance Service, Call 6002–91–6002"

""**Immediate Ambulance Service with Shriram Ambulance: Serving Delhi/NCR, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun - Fast, Reliable, and Trusted Medical Assistance** If you find yourself in an emergency situation, time is of the essence. Shriram Ambulance is committed to offering the fastest and most reliable ambulance services across Delhi/NCR, Rishikesh, Haridwar, and Dehradun. With a fleet of well-equipped ambulances and a highly trained medical team, we ensure that every patient gets the best possible care during their transportation to medical facilities. Whether you are in need of a short-distance ambulance for a local emergency or require a long-distance transport for critical cases, Shriram Ambulance guarantees a prompt response. Here's a breakdown of the nearby villages in the region, where Shriram Ambulance services can be accessed swiftly within a 100 km radius, ensuring quick and reliable medical care during emergencies. Each of the villages listed below can expect fast medical assistance, helping save lives when every second counts. ### Delhi/NCR Villages within a 100 km radius 1. **Faridabad**: Immediate Ambulance Service with Shriram Ambulance, Call 6002–91–6002 Fast Ambulance, Urgent Care Assured. Whether you're in need of urgent care or a routine checkup, we are your first point of contact for reliable emergency medical transportation. 2. **Gurgaon**: Rapid Response, Life-Saving Transport Now. Shriram Ambulance guarantees that each patient receives the highest standard of medical transport, ensuring their safety and well-being as they reach the hospital quickly. 3. **Noida**: Swift Ambulance, Secure Medical Aid. If you or someone you love needs emergency medical transport in Noida, we are just a call away. With our fleet of fast ambulances, we reach your location in the shortest time possible. 4. **Greater Noida**: Quick Care, Prompt Emergency Response. Our trained medical professionals are always ready to assist with urgent situations, providing fast medical support and transportation to the nearest healthcare facility. 5. **Ghaziabad**: Fast Ambulance, Trusted Medical Support. Shriram Ambulance ensures quick emergency service to all regions within Ghaziabad, providing swift and secure transport for all medical emergencies. 6. **Ballabgarh**: Immediate Assistance, Reliable Ambulance Service. For residents of Ballabgarh, immediate ambulance services are just a phone call away, offering the fastest emergency response times in the region. 7. **Sohna**: Rapid Response, Life-Saving Transport Now. Shriram Ambulance is available 24/7 to ensure you receive immediate medical assistance with minimal delay. 8. **Badarpur**: Swift Ambulance, Secure Medical Aid. No matter where you are in Badarpur, Shriram Ambulance can provide secure and swift medical transport for critical situations. 9. **Mehrauli**: Fast Ambulance, Urgent Care Assured. Mehrauli residents can rely on Shriram Ambulance for fast, reliable, and urgent medical transport whenever necessary. 10. **Sultanpur**: Immediate Ambulance Service with Shriram Ambulance, Call 6002–91–6002. Shriram Ambulance offers the most reliable and quick ambulance services in Sultanpur, always on standby to respond to emergencies. 11. **Vasant Kunj**: Quick Care, Prompt Emergency Response. Whether it's a sudden illness or a serious medical issue, Shriram Ambulance provides fast response times to ensure you're safely transported to the nearest hospital. 12. **Dwarka**: Rapid Response, Life-Saving Transport Now. Shriram Ambulance ensures prompt medical assistance in emergencies, with a quick arrival and transport for patients in Dwarka. 13. **Tilak Nagar**: Swift Ambulance, Secure Medical Aid. Residents of Tilak Nagar can expect the highest standards of care and support when choosing Shriram Ambulance for their medical transport needs.

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Use Sky Train Ambulance Service in Patna for long distance transfer and to reach hospital on time

Have you ever wondered how you can get medical help in the shortest time possible in an emergency? Sky Train Ambulance Service in Patna is the fastest way to get medical help in the most dire need of critical times. At Sky Train Ambulance we transport patients quickly to their destination for treatment with safety.

Web:  https://www.skyairambulance.in/train-ambulance-service-patna

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When Seconds Matter, Choose GoAid for the Fastest Ambulance Service in Hyderabad In a medical emergency, every second counts. GoAid provides the fastest, most reliable ambulance service in Hyderabad, ensuring your loved ones receive the care they need, when they need it. Our trained professionals are always ready to deliver timely assistance and rapid transport to the nearest hospital. Don't wait—call GoAid for the quickest response in Hyderabad!   Call us now and get help in minutes! +91 90159 08908 | +91 80082 80020

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Get Ambulance Service In Noida on google call now 8743940061 & see fastest result. Call number : 8743940061 Website : https://www.ambulanceserviceinnoida.com

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Medivic Aviation Train Ambulance in Kolkata is available for every type of emergency

Medivic Aviation Train Ambulance in Kolkata provides the fastest and most reliable transportation for urgent medical needs. Equipped with life-saving equipment and expert medical teams, the service ensures the safe and timely transfer of patients to hospitals and specialist treatments in emergencies.

Website: https://www.medivicaviation.com/train-ambulance-service-kolkata

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The Complete Guide to Emergency Medical Assistance in India: How to Get Help When You Need It

Emergencies can occur without warning, and when they do, getting the right emergency medical assistance quickly is crucial. Whether it's an accident, sudden illness, or life-threatening, the ability to access emergency care in time can make all the difference. This guide will walk you through how to quickly get emergency medical assistance, request quick ambulance services, and access emergency doctor support in India.

Understanding Emergency Medical Assistance in India

Emergency medical assistance refers to urgent medical care for individuals facing sudden medical emergencies. In India, this typically involves paramedics, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and doctors who respond quickly to stabilize patients and transport them to the hospital. Emergency medical services (EMS) are essential for saving lives and ensuring immediate care during critical situations.

How to Access Emergency Medical Assistance in India

Dial Emergency Numbers

The first thing to do in an emergency is to dial the emergency services number. In India, the nationwide emergency number for medical assistance is 108. This number connects you to ambulance services and emergency medical teams. When you call:

Provide your exact location (address or nearby landmark)

Briefly explain the medical emergency (what happened, symptoms, etc.)

Share the patient’s condition (age, current state)

Give any other relevant information (such as medical history, allergies, or pre-existing conditions)

Request Quick Ambulance Service

Ambulance services are the fastest way to get medical care to someone in need. In India, you can access quick ambulance services through 108 or other private ambulance providers. Many ambulances are equipped with essential medical equipment, and paramedics onboard are trained to provide initial care, including administering oxygen, CPR, and other life-saving treatments while transporting the patient to a hospital. Depending on the severity, ambulances offer basic life support (BLS) or advanced life support (ALS) services.

Emergency Doctor Support

Sometimes, you might need guidance from an emergency doctor, especially if you're unable to reach the hospital in time. In such cases, ambulance services or even telemedicine platforms can connect you with an emergency doctor support team. These doctors can provide guidance over the phone or online, helping you with immediate instructions like CPR, managing heart attack or stroke symptoms, or other first-aid measures until the ambulance arrives.

Telemedicine and Remote Assistance in India

In rural or remote areas where immediate access to emergency care might be limited, telemedicine services are an excellent alternative. Many healthcare providers in India, including government health schemes like eSanjeevani and private services, offer remote consultations. You can connect with a doctor via phone or video call to get immediate advice on how to handle an emergency situation, especially in non-life-threatening cases.

When to Call for Emergency Medical Assistance in India

You should immediately call for emergency medical help if:

Someone is unconscious, unresponsive, or semi-conscious

A person is having difficulty breathing or stops breathing

There is significant bleeding that cannot be controlled

Symptoms of a heart attack (chest pain, difficulty breathing) or stroke (numbness, confusion) are present

A person experiences major trauma, such as a fall, accident, or injury

Suspected poisoning, overdose, or severe allergic reaction

Key Tips for Handling Medical Emergencies in India

Stay Calm: Remaining calm will help you think clearly and communicate effectively with emergency services.

Clear Communication: Provide accurate and detailed information to the emergency dispatcher so they can assess the situation and dispatch the appropriate help.

Follow Instructions: If you receive guidance from the emergency dispatcher or a doctor, follow it precisely to help stabilize the person in need.

Keep Emergency Contacts Handy: Ensure that you have a list of important phone numbers (emergency services, family doctors, nearest hospitals) and medical information (allergies, pre-existing conditions) accessible at all times.

Popular Ambulance Services in India

Here are some well-known ambulance services that you can call in India for quick assistance:

108 (National Emergency Number): Government-sponsored ambulance service available across India, especially in rural areas.

Arogya 104: A health emergency service that provides medical guidance and ambulance services.

Private Ambulance Providers: Companies like BLS Ambulance, MedLife, and Swasth Ambulance Services offer quick and reliable services in urban areas.

Conclusion

When facing a medical emergency, it’s essential to act quickly and know how to access emergency medical assistance in India. Whether it’s calling 108 for quick ambulance services, seeking emergency doctor support, or utilizing telemedicine services, timely and efficient action can save lives. By following this guide, you can ensure that you’re always prepared to handle medical emergencies and get the help you need when you need it the most.

Stay safe and always know where to turn when urgent medical assistance is required!

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FALC Emergency Train Ambulance in Siliguri ensures expert coordination

FALC Emergency Train Ambulance Service in Siliguri ensures proper attention and monitoring, offering the safest and fastest transport to the right treatment centre in critical times.

Website: https://www.falconemergency.com/train-ambulance-services-from-siliguri/