David Rees, Member of the Senedd for Aberavon, has welcomed the launch of a new national phone line to help individuals in need of urgent mental health support.
The NHS Wales ‘111 press option 2’ for mental health is now available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for anyone of any age across Wales. The helpline is there for people who have an urgent mental health concern themselves or want to call on behalf of someone they know. The number is free for landlines or mobiles, even phones without any credit left. The Welsh Government has provided £6m to support health boards in Wales to implement this important service and ensure it is available to all, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
By calling NHS 111 and selecting ‘option 2’ callers will be transferred to a dedicated member of a mental health team within Swansea Bay University Health Board. The support available includes an assessment of needs, and telephone-based intervention to help reduce distress. When appropriate, callers can be referred to mental health services, given self-care advice or signposted to other support.
Praising the announcement, David Rees, Member of the Senedd for Aberavon said:
The ‘111 press 2’ helpline will transform the ways the NHS are able to respond to urgent mental health issues. It can be hard to talk about mental health, or know where to turn for the right support at the right time.
For anyone in Aberavon who needs immediate help for their own mental health or for someone they know whether it be a loved one, a colleague or a neighbour, they can use this helpline and be supported by compassionate professionals, who have local knowledge of the area and health-board to support individuals seeking help.
