NHS 111 will now offer mental health support to people of all ages in crisis, including children.
Health leaders welcomed the announcement, but said NHS trusts “remain deeply concerned” about levels of unmet needs for those seeking mental healthcare.
Ministers said the change forms part of “plans to help fix the broken health system”.
From Tuesday, people in England who are in crisis, or who are concerned about a loved one, can call 111 and select the mental health option to speak to a trained professional.
Local health systems previously had their own separate phone lines, which took about 200,000 calls per month.
Staff handling the 111 calls will be able to organise face-to-face community support for patients or guide them to other services.
Claire Murdoch, NHS England’s 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.”
How to get mental health help
There are a range of services which can help if you find yourself or someone else in a crisis.
NHS 111 helpline
You can call the number to express your concern and you will be pointed to the right direction which will help your specific needs.
Staff handling the 111 calls will be able to organise face-to-face community support for patients or guide them to other services.
Your GP
Your doctor will be able to prescribe medication if needed and also refer to other services, such as talking therapies.
Talking therapies
If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS talking therapies services for anxiety and depression.
As well as a GP referring you, you can also refer yourself, with treatments including CBT, counselling, and guided self help.
You can find your local service here.
Through work
Some companies can refer you to occupational health services if you are suffering with your mental health and work is a factor.
Your employer legally has a duty of care to you under health and safety legislation. You have the right to work somewhere safe. This means any risks to your health must be properly assessed and controlled.
Charity Mind has more information on the level of support you can expect at work and what your rights are here.
Through school or college
Young people have different access abilities for mental health help. If you are a young person and wish to receive help for your mental health, you will need to talk to someone who can put you in touch with your local children and young people’s mental health services, which are separate from adult ones.
Young people can also speak to a teacher, a school nurse, a GP or a youth worker to get the referral they require.
You can also self refer yourself for help. For more information, visit here.
For further information on the NHS 111 support line, visit the site here and, for urgent help, here.
