New mental health line “positive step” but more support needed for families in crisis

2 mins read

Wednesday 28 August 2024

Tags: nhs, camhs, mental health, anxiety, nhs 111, depression

Children, adults, family and loved ones will be able to speak to a trained mental health professional when they call NHS 111 from this week.

Call handlers will be able to direct callers to existing services like talking therapies. They can help them refer to face-to-face support or direct them to crisis services, including A&E.

Previously, local health services provided mental health crisis lines for people experiencing mental health problems. Ministers said the change forms part of “plans to help fix the broken health system”.

We welcome the new service, but children in distress also need concrete, quality mental health support in the community.

The NHS has launched the phone line as The Guardian publishes its findings that more than 500 children a day in England are being referred to NHS mental health services for anxiety. This rate is more than double the pre-pandemic rate.

Amanda Elliot, Contact’s health lead, says:

“Having a single number to call if your disabled child is in crisis is a helpful, very positive first step. But a phone line isn’t an ongoing service. People need services that provide regular, useful support for disabled children with mental health needs, whether they are self-harming, have difficulties with emotional regulation, depression, obsessive compulsive behaviours or eating disorders.

“Community services need to be revitalised so they can help families in crisis can rely on them. We urge ministers and the NHS to make sure they deliver this next as part of their commitment to improve children’s mental health services.”

Read more about mental health services for disabled children on our website.