Patients experiencing a mental health crisis can now benefit from support through NHS 111 in the South East, the head of NHS mental health services has confirmed.

Across the region and the rest of England, patients are among the first in the world to have access to a 24/7 full package of mental health crisis support via a 3-digit number, NHS 111.

People in crisis or concerned loved ones can now call 111, select the mental health option and speak to a trained mental health professional, who can guide and support them with next steps such organising face-to-face community support or facilitating access to crisis alternatives services, such as crisis cafes, sanctuaries and safe havens.

Health systems in the South East and across the country fast-tracked the rollout of individual 24/7 crisis phone lines specific to their local area during the pandemic which took around 200,000 calls per month, but this next step means anyone in England will have a single point of access via NHS 111.

For people who need support at A&E, if there is a risk to life, every emergency department in England now also has a liaison psychiatric team available to offer specialist care.

NHS Talking Therapy Services are also available for people who need support for other mental conditions such as anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder and PTSD, and anyone can refer themselves online via nhs.uk or by contacting their GP.

As ever people can also call 999 if there is a serious risk to life.

Mental Health lead for NHS South East, Adanna Williams said: “In the South East we’re committed to putting our citizens first and recognise that there is no health without mental health. We have demonstrated our commitment to improving access to support with mental health needs.

“The launch of this service will enable those experiencing a mental health crisis to get support when you need it most. You can now call the 111 service 24 hours a day for access to local mental health support services making it easier than ever before to get specialist help.”

NHS Director for Mental Health, Claire Murdoch, said: “Transforming mental health services and expanding access has been one our biggest priorities.

“Demand has been growing since the pandemic, with our latest figures showing that mental health services have treated an extra one million people a year compared to six years.

“While the NHS made significant progress during the pandemic with local services creating their own crisis phone lines available, we want to go a step further and make it as easy as possible for people to access services if they are in crisis – and in doing so I am extremely proud that we will become one of the first countries to offer a free universal package of support to people via a 3-digit number.

“The new integrated service can give patients who need to speak to someone urgently the chance to be listened to by a trained member of staff, who can get them directed to the right place.

“So, if you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support, please call 111, and selecting the mental health option.”

Minister of State for Care, Stephen Kinnock, said: “As part of our plans to help fix the broken health system we want to ensure we give mental health the same attention and focus as physical health.

“For the first time, there is one number you can call whether you are feeling physically unwell or worried about your mental health to access the support you might need.

“Separately, we are prioritising mental health by recruiting an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment alongside reforming the Mental Health Act.”

Rethink Mental Illness Chief Executive, Mark Winstanley, said: “A mental health crisis is traumatic and disorientating, and getting help as quickly as possible is vital. The last thing people need when they or a loved one is in crisis, is uncertainty about where to turn. Today, the NHS have made it easier to access urgent support via 111, building on provision already in place through crisis lines. We welcome this important step, and hope it will make it simpler for people to access the help they need.”

A full list of mental health support options is available via the NHS website. The service is also suitable for deaf people, with tailored services available via the NHS 111 website.

Nationally, the NHS has invested an extra £2.3 billion into expanding mental health services, and this latest innovation will help patients in crisis get directed to the support they need quickly.

Both the NHS in England and NHS Wales have rolled out mental health options for NHS 111, making England and Wales the first countries in the world to offer these services.

The health service also remains on track to meet its Long-Term Plan target to expand community mental health treatment by 370,000 people per year for patients with severe mental illness.