A ROUND-THE-CLOCK mental health line has been launched to temporarily take the pressure off the NHS non-emergency 111 service.

Launched by Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs local mental health services, with support from Oxfordshire Mind, the new service will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people who need mental health care when their situation is not life threatening.

As with the 111 line, people can call whenever they need to find out when and where they can get help and to access support from mental health professionals.

The service is set to help people of all ages including children and older adults get the right mental health advice and treatment.

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Clinical director at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust Rob Bale said: “When people need non-emergency mental health care, support or advice they should call the 24/7 Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Helpline.

“Our trained mental health advisors will be able to offer on-the-spot advice and make sure people get the care that is right for them.”

The number for adults is 01865 904997, while children and young people should call 01865 904998.