People can now access local crisis mental health services by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option for crisis mental health support (24 hours a day, seven days a week). This is for people of all ages including children and young people who are experiencing a mental health crisis.

They will then be put through to mental health advisors, who will be supported and supervised by trained mental health clinicians from our mental health trusts. These are Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust (CNTW) and Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV).

When people call NHS 111, they will be offered the option to press 2 if they need crisis mental health support. The service is for people of all ages, including children and young people.

They will then be put through to mental health advisors, who will be supported and supervised by trained mental health clinicians. People will be able to access support via screening, onward signposting, and access to crisis services for triage where needed. 

CNTW and TEWV have recruited extra mental health advisors and introduced new telephony platforms with increased functionality, including call recording, to help provide the best quality service.

NHS 111 select mental health is for people in need of crisis mental health support. It does not replace other existing avenues for seeking mental health support such as via their GP, talking therapies, etc.