111 option 2 urgent mental health number launches in Suffolk

People of all ages in Suffolk can now call 111 option 2 to access support for urgent mental health needs: previously known as the First Response service.

Stuart Richardson, chief executive officer at NSFT said: “Since its launch in April 2020 our mental health crisis line has received over 100,000 calls.

“By providing direct access 24 hours a day, seven days a week to a team of mental health professionals offering information, advice, brief psychological interventions, and a crisis response where needed, many service users and carers have been supported and their needs prevented from escalating further.”

The new service launched at 09:00 on the 5 April 2022

The urgent mental health helpline will still be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The team answering the calls is still the same – there’s just a new number to call.

Dr Rosalind Tandy, a GP in Bury St Edmunds and mental health lead for NHS West Suffolk Clinical Commissioning Group, said: “I am so pleased to see the transfer of the First Response Service to NHS 111 option 2. This change is all about ensuring people who need quick access to crisis mental health support can do so through a simple, nationally recognised number, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“It’s so important that in times of need people have somewhere to turn for help, and now in Suffolk, 111 is the number for people of any age to call when they are in mental crisis and need to talk with someone.”

For more information contact nsft.communications@nsft.nhs.uk