Under pressure: Mental health soaring at Solihull NHS helpline - The Solihull Observer

Under pressure: Mental health soaring at Solihull NHS helpline

Solihull Editorial 12th Feb, 2021 Updated: 12th Apr, 2022   0

THE number of calls made to a mental health helpline have increased two-fold in just one month, according to reports by Birmingham Mind, Living Well UK and NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG.

The one-stop 24-hour helpline received hundreds of calls each week in January, showing that Covid-19 and its effects are continuing to weigh heavy on people’s mental health.

The helpline aims to instantly connect those who need help with their mental wellbeing or those experiencing a mental health crisis, to appropriate support.

So far this month, the helpline has received almost 2,000 calls, and the numbers are expected to increase.




NHS Birmingham and Solihull’s director of joint commissioning for mental health, Jo Carney, said: “The one-stop 24-hour mental health helpline has provided a vital service, and we’re tremendously proud we have been able to help so many get the support they need.

“All of us at NHS Birmingham and Solihull are so pleased to work with Birmingham Mind, Living Well UK, Forward Thinking Birmingham and Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health Foundation Trust to bring this to fruition.”


Helen Wadley, chief executive of Birmingham Mind, added: “The sheer number of people who have already been helped via the helpline in the first few weeks is tremendous to see; but this has only scratched the surface of the mental health crisis we can see emerging.”

The 24/7 helpline is also bolstered by a Live Web Chat instant messenger service, available from 10am-9pm every day, and an email address operated by trained staff to address mental health concerns.

The trio of services are available to anyone living in Birmingham and Solihull, and the experts maintain that there is no worry too big or too small to reach out about.

To seek mental health and wellbeing advice, support, counselling or mental health crisis support, call the 24/7 helpline on 0121 262 3555. People can also find out more about additional services at www.birminghamandsolihullccg.nhs.uk/

Picture courtesy of Total Shape https://totalshape.com/

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