111 option 2

I have been meaning to post this for a while but heard it on the radio again tonight so thught I would post before I forget.

I am not sure if it is UK wide but if you ring 111 and pick option 2 (at least in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire NHS foundation trust) then you get the First Response Service - a 24-hour service for people in a mental health crisis.

What to do in a mental health crisis

Click here for information on what to do in mental health crisis.

You might be in crisis if:

• You are thinking of hurting yourself or suicide seems the only option
• Someone you know has made threats to hurt you or someone else.
• You are experiencing extreme distress that seems overwhelming.

If you believe you or a person you care for is in a mental health crisis and is in immediate need of help, there are several different avenues you can take. If you believe you or a person you care for is in a mental health crisis and is in immediate need of help, there are several different avenues you can take. Also, you may want to look at a leaflet on Coping with Panic or other mental health leaflets.

Who to contact

Call 111 and press option 2 for the First Response Service - a 24-hour service for people in a mental health crisis. This service is for anyone, of any age, living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. Specially-trained mental health staff will speak to you and discuss with you your mental health care needs – instead of you having to go to accident and emergency departments of local acute hospitals.
Between 9am-5pm, Monday–Friday

• CPFTcare co-ordinator: If you are already receiving support from mental health services, the first point of contact should be your care co-ordinator. Your care plan will contain information on how to contact them. If they are not available, ask to speak to the clinician on duty.
• Your GP: If you are in crisis and need immediate help, then please contact your GP.

Out of hours

• CPFT out-of-hours service: An out-of hours telephone support service, run by Lifeline, is available for CPFT’s service users who are experiencing a crisis in their mental health. The service is also available for carers who are concerned about the mental health of a service user. The out-of-hours telephone number is 0808 808 2121. This is available every day, including weekends, from 7pm-11pm.
• Emergency doctor: All GP surgeries have an out-of-hours number that you can call in an emergency. The out-of-hours doctor may assess the situation over the phone, ask you to attend a clinic/service, or may come out to assess the service user. They will be able to arrange any necessary specialist assessments.
• Local walk-in centre: Most centres are open 365 days a year and outside office hours. Some newly opened centres may offer different opening hours during their first few months.
  
  All the links in the above take you to a reputable NHS site
• http://www.cpft.nhs.uk/FRS%20Twitter....jpg?width=400