Anyone needing urgent mental health support can now call NHS 111 and select the mental health option for 24/7 access to urgent support.
The service continues to be provided by Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, there is just a new telephone number to call.
To allow everyone to get used to the new process, existing local freephone crisis service numbers will continue to be active to make sure people always get the support they need. You can still use the existing Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust mental health crisis line by calling 0800 145 6485.
If a person’s mental or emotional state gets worse quickly, this can be referred to as a mental health crisis or a mental health emergency. If this happens, it is important to get help quickly.
People will be able to access mental health support via NHS 111 and select the mental health option if you are worried about:
- Severe changes to your mood
- Withdrawing from people (close family, friends, or work colleagues)
- Not taking care of yourself like you usually would
- Having increased thoughts about your life not being worth living
- Excessive worry
- Feeling out of control or unable to cope
- Feeling anxious about leaving the house
- Hearing voices or seeing things that others can’t
- Thinking about harming yourself
If you or someone else have physically harmed themselves, or if their life is at risk, then you should still call 999 or go to Accident and Emergency (A&E).
NHS 111 select mental health option is for all ages, including children and young people and those with neurodevelopmental needs. You can call for yourself, or someone else.
