Staff running a mental health helpline in Aneurin Bevan University Health Board met with Natasha Asghar MS to discuss the newly launched service this week.
The South East Wales politician headed to St Cadoc’s Hospital in Newport to catch up with the dedicated NHS 111 Press 2 for mental health team.
Launched in May last year, the helpline provides patients with access to a mental health professional without the need for a GP referral.
It can help support people manage a crisis and act as an alternative to people attending emergency departments or calling the police.
Callers will be assessed and where appropriate will be referred to mental health services, given self-care advice or signposted to other support.
The team at Aneurin Bevan can deal with anywhere between 45 and 75 calls a day from individuals about a range of issues including housing and cost of living.
Since launching Wales-wide, the service has dealt with more than 56,000 calls with plans afoot to expand operations.
Those in need can access the service by calling 111 and selection ‘option 2’ which will then see them transferred to a member of the mental health team within their local health board.
Natasha Asghar MS said:
“It was a great experience to meet with the fantastic team running the 111 Press 2 for mental health within our local health board and get a better understanding of what their work entails.
“With huge pressures facing GPs and other health services, this phoneline is helping ease the burden on them whilst also providing invaluable support to residents in distress.
“I take my hat off to the team behind this vital service and I look forward to helping them going forward by connecting them with other groups and charities in a bid to create a more effective and streamlined service.”