New mental health helpline for Nottinghamshire
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Turning Point and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have today (Thursday 21 May) launched a new helpline for people with mental health issues living in Nottinghamshire.
The service is available for anyone who needs emotional support or information about what help people struggling with their mental health can access in the local area.
Trained mental health workers will be on hand to answer calls seven days a week 9am - 11pm, Monday to Friday.
The helpline website also includes useful information about a range of common mental health issues, such as anxiety and low mood, and how to promote feelings of wellbeing. It will also provide information and advice on mental health issues to people working in the NHS, local government, schools or the community and voluntary sector.
Turning Point, a national social enterprise, has provided specialist mental health services on behalf of the NHS in Nottingham for over 30 years, including a residential crisis service and transitional residential support for people following a stay on a mental health ward.
Nottinghamshire Healthcare, who commissioned Turning Point to set up the new helpline, hope people who are struggling with their mental health and finding it difficult to cope will pick up the phone.
Gaye Flounder, Crisis and Transitions National Lead at Turning Point, said: “The helpline is there for people who may feel at a real low point and need to talk to someone supportive and non-judgemental. Our team of experienced trained mental health workers are on hand to provide information and advice e.g. techniques that people can use to manage anxiety. They will also be able to direct people to other services where needed.”
The mental health helpline is launched by the Trust as part of the NHS Long Term Plan’s investment in Mental Health Services and follows the creation of a new 24/7 mental health crisis line in April, which is available to anyone in mental health crisis at anytime, anywhere across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Julie Attfield, Executive Director of Local Mental Health Services, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This is a worrying time for many people and it’s important that we provide services that are simple to access for those who are struggling with emotional and mental health issues. The Trust launched a new crisis line earlier this year but we hope this new Turning Point service will help people before they reach that point.”
The new helpline number is 0300 555 0730. For more information, visit https://www.turning-point.co.uk/nottingham-helpline
The Nottinghamshire Healthcare Crisis Line (24/7 0808 196 3779 - www.nottinghamshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/help-in-a-crisis) is for people experiencing a mental health crisis who need urgent help.
