Young woman crying on the phone

Mental health support offered in NHS first

NHS England has today announced that mental health support will now be available through 111.

By introducing this change, England has now become one of the first nations on the planet to offer a full package of 24/7 mental health crisis support through one single phone line. This will be available to people of all ages, including children, who are in mental health crisis by simply ringing 111 and selecting the correct option. Once connected, the person will be able to speak to a trained mental health professional.

Staff that are supporting callers will be able to guide them towards the right steps, including organising face-to-face community support or helping them to access alternative services such as crisis cafes or safe havens.

Should people need A&E support or if there is a risk to life, every emergency department in the country will have a liaison psychiatric team that will be able to offer specialist care quickly.

NHS mental health QUOTE

Claire Murdoch, NHS National Director for Mental Health, said:

“We know that record numbers of people are suffering with their mental health, and we want to ensure that when people are in crisis, they have easy, straightforward access to the support they need.

“While the NHS made significant progress during the pandemic with local services creating their own crisis phone lines, we want to go a step further by giving people everywhere in England one single point of access via NHS 111.

“And in doing so, I am extremely proud that we will become one of the first countries in the world to offer a free universal package of support to people through one easy-to-access phone line.

“The new integrated service can give people of all ages specialist mental health support and ensure they can be offered face-to-face support in a safe and therapeutic environment.

“So, if you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support, please call 111, and select the mental health option.”

Those with other mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and PTSD will also see NHS Talking Therapy Services being made available for those who require them.

Care Minister Stephen Kinnock also commented on this move, saying:

“As part of our plans to help fix the broken health system we want to ensure we give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health.

“For the first time, there is one number you can call whether you are feeling physically unwell or worried about your mental health to access the support you might need.

“Separately, we are prioritising mental health by recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment alongside reforming the Mental Health Act.”

The NHS’ expansion of mental health services comes thanks to an additional £2.3 billion of investment and is complemented by its achievement of expanding community mental health treatment by 370,000 people per year.

In response to the announcement, Director of Policy at the NHS Confederation, Dr Layla McCay, said:

“Placing mental health crisis support in a single phone line across the country is a welcome step in the right direction. Making it simpler to access advice will hopefully make it easier for people experiencing a mental health crisis to get the help they need.

“We know from some well-established 111 services that providing mental health crisis support not only offers an easier way for people to access the services they need, but can also reduce pressure on other parts of the system such as GP services, ambulances and A&Es.

“Incorporating mental health support into existing 111 services may also reduce stigma and could encourage more people to come forward. But with long waits for mental health treatment, we need to make sure that providers are given the right resources to boost capacity and care for the people who come forward requiring treatment.”

 

Image credit: iStock

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