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A new immediate emotional and practical support helpline
An NHS, free, confidential 24/7 helpline has launched, provided by Vita Health Group, in partnership with Avon & Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
The service is called 24/7 Support & Connect. This line is staffed by experienced counsellors, who you can talk to and they will listen. They will offer emotional support and can connect you to organisations available in Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG).
The helpline is for people aged 18 and over who are living within BNSSG or are registered with a GP within BNSSG.
For immediate emotional and practical support call 0800 012 6549.
(textphone users dial 18001 followed by 0800 0126549)
If English isn’t your first language we can arrange for a translator to support your call.
If you are 17 or under please call the Children and Young People’s helpline via AWP’s Single Point of Access phoneline on 0300 303 1320.
For more information, please click here to visit the Vita Health Group website.
August 12, 2020 at 9:56 am
The Independent Mental Health Network (IMHN) is supporting the development of a new 24/7 mental health helpline due to start operating soon in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) area.
We are looking for up to fifteen people from across the BNSSG area, with experience of accessing mental health services, to participate in a focus group to inform the development of the helpline.
This session will take place on Monday 1st June between 14:30 – 16:00. The session will be hosted online via Zoom. As a thank you for participating, an involvement payment of £20 is being offered for taking part. This will be paid by bank transfer after the focus group has taken place.
Please click here to register for the focus group. To note, you must register via this link if you would like to attend. Registration will close once fifteen people sign up.
For more information, please email engagement[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address). Click here for more information about using Zoom.
Further information about the helpline
Vita Health Group (who currently provide local IAPT services) and the local mental health trust (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) will be jointly running a new 24/7 mental health helpline.
This line is expected to perform three key functions:
- Provide a first response for urgent mental health need and self-defined crisis;
- Provide a level of triage in order people receive the support they need;
- Signpost people to appropriate community and statutory services.
It is hoped that the helpline will reduce pressure on accident and emergency departments, and will be linked to Children and Young People services, to create a seamless point of access and information. It is proposed that callers will receive therapeutic support, with signposting to community or statutory services where appropriate.
If you would like to know more about the focus group or get involved with this project, then please email: engagement[@]imhn.org (make sure to remove the square brackets from the email address).
May 28, 2020 at 10:59 am