It’s been an incredibly difficult 18 months for all of us, and I’ve made it my priority to ensure the right kind of support for people who are suffering from mental ill health is put in place. As well as regularly raising constituents’ experiences on this front with my ministerial colleagues in DHSC, I’ve been engaging with local health agencies, such as NHS Sussex and the NHS West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group in order to receive updates and give my input on services being made available at this time.
I am very pleased to let constituents know of a 24/7 mental health crisis helpline set up by the 54 mental health trusts across England and which to date has already received over three million calls country wide. Mid Sussex residents can call 0800 0309 500 to reach the Sussex Mental Healthline and further details include:
- Staffed by mental health professionals, the crisis lines help to ensure everyone who requires it can get the rapid care they need without having to go to A&E.
- Most of the callers are able to receive treatment over the phone or can be referred to a face to face assessment; fewer than 2% of the calls have resulted in an A&E attendance or a blue light response from ambulances or the police.
- Anyone experiencing a mental health crisis can call their local 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.
This helpline is part of the five-year funding offer that will see the annual NHS budget grow by over £33.9 billion, where mental health services will receive budget growth of £2.3 billion over the five-year funding settlement, the fastest uplift in funding. This will essentially enable further service expansion and faster access to community and crisis mental health services for both adults and particularly children and young people in Mid Sussex. I will continue to engage with relevant bodies to ensure this happens and that the needs of Mid Sussex residents are met.
Links
- More information on the NHS mental health helpline including helplines for other areas is here.
- More information on the NHS Long Term Plan and commitment to improve and care for children and adults needing mental health support is here
- Additional help and support for mental ill health in Mid Sussex:
Time to Talk - talking therapies services in West Sussex
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)