South West offered mental health crisis support through NHS 111

The head of NHS mental health services confirmed patients in the South East and across the rest of England have access to mental health crisis support 24/7 via NHS 111, placing them among the first in the world to receive such a service.

People in crisis, or those concerned for their loved ones, can now dial 111, choose the mental health option and be connected to a trained professional.

This professional can guide the caller with next steps such as arranging face-to-face community support or helping in accessing crisis alternative services like crisis cafes, sanctuaries and safe havens.

Health systems in the South East and across the country fast-tracked the rollout of individual 24/7 crisis phone lines specific to their area during the pandemic.

However, the updated service means anyone in England will have a single point of contact for mental health crisis support.

For people who need support at A&E, if there is a risk to life, every emergency department in England now also has a liaison psychiatric team available to offer specialist care.

Additionally, NHS Talking Therapy Services are available for people who need assistance with other mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and PTSD.

Mental health lead for NHS South East, Adanna Williams, said: "In the South East we’re committed to putting our citizens first and recognise that there is no health without mental health.

"We have demonstrated our commitment to improving access to support with mental health needs.

“The launch of this service will enable those experiencing a mental health crisis to get support when you need it most."

NHS director for mental health, Claire Murdoch, added: "Transforming mental health services and expanding access has been one our biggest priorities.

"While the NHS made significant progress during the pandemic with local services creating their own crisis phone lines available, we want to go a step further and make it as easy as possible for people to access services if they are in crisis.

“The new integrated service can give patients who need to speak to someone urgently the chance to be listened to by a trained member of staff, who can get them directed to the right place."

The expanded service comes as part of an effort to put mental health on par with physical health, according to the minister of state for care, Stephen Kinnock.

Separately, the NHS is also looking to recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers in a bid to reduce delays and provide faster treatment.