People living in Rotherham, Doncaster or North Lincolnshire will now be able to access urgent mental health support directly via NHS 111 at any time of the day or night.
The local mental health crisis line, managed by Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH) can now be accessed via NHS 111 ‘select mental health option’.
The extension of the 111 service means people who are experiencing a mental health crisis will be able to dial the NHS urgent medical advice number (111), and by choosing ‘mental health option’ will be put through to a member of RDaSH’s local crisis service.
The staff will speak to callers, discuss their urgent needs, and assess what the best way to support them is depending on their symptoms.
This a really important step forward to improve care for those who are suffering mental health issues. Until now many people in mental health crisis didn’t know which number to call or who to turn to for help.
If people have physically harmed themselves, or if their life is at risk, then A&E is the right place to go. But more often people just want someone to talk to, and advice on what help is available and which services they can access.
Overall, RDaSH are aiming to give mental health crisis parity of esteem by making help more easily accessible and available as well as easing pressure on A&E departments.
