People are being reminded that urgent mental health support is just a call or click away.
It comes as the country’s biggest stars, call on the public to reach out for support with their mental health with a little help from The Beatles and their hit song “Help!”.
Some of the biggest recording artists, like Craig David, Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts, Tom Grennan, Laura Mvula, Ella Henderson and Max George are using the classic 1964 Beatles song to reinforce the message for people to take better care of their mental health.
And anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call NHS 111 to be put through to Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Helpline. And friends and family members can call on behalf of someone they’re worried about. Parents can call for their children, and support is available for all ages. The lines are also open to professionals such as police and paramedics who may come across people experiencing mental ill health.
They can also access the helpline via 111 online.
https://youtu.be/Qa4I3mr9jX4
More than 5,500 calls have been made to Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire by people seeking support from the dedicated mental health helpline since its launch almost two years ago at the start of the pandemic.
The helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people who need mental health care when their situation is not life threatening. It supports people of all ages including children and older adults.
Emma Hill, service manager for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Helpline and the Mental Health Urgent Care Pathway at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are here to help – any time day or night. We are here to get you back on your feet. Sometimes that first step is the hardest. Open the door to better mental health today.
“If you have got any concerns about your mental health or that of a loved one please call 111. We have a dedicated team of mental health professionals here, ready to listen and help.
“The helpline is open round the clock to support adults and children who need advice urgently. It was launched as the pandemic unfolded and since then we’ve been able to support over 2 thousand people to they get the right help at the right time.”
People can call 111 for the Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Mental Health Helpline when they need to find out when and where to get help and to access support from mental health professionals for a range of conditions and symptoms including anxiety, low mood, stress, worry, difficulty with relationships, crying often, feeling helpless, confusion, hallucinations or hearing voices.
They will be connected with local mental health advisors from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust staffing a dedicated team of experts to support people with their mental health. The expert team is embedded within 111 in Bicester.
If anyone’s life is in immediate danger always call 999.
Nationally, mental health phonelines run by the NHS have answered millions of calls during the pandemic.
The dedicated 24/7 NHS mental health crisis helplines were fast-tracked to open a year ago so everyone could get the rapid mental health care they need without having to go to A&E.
The crisis lines have been rolled out nationally four years earlier than planned, with nationwide coverage reached in May 2020, having originally been scheduled to go live by 2023/24 under the NHS Long Term Plan. Their launch was fast-tracked to ensure support could be provided during the pandemic.
Published: 24 January 2022