People on the Isle of Wight who need urgent mental health support can now access help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by calling NHS 111 free of charge and selecting the mental health option (option 2). This connects callers of all ages to trained professionals who can quickly link them to the right support locally.
Many residents are familiar with the Access to Intervention (A2I) line (previously known as the Crisis Line) and the support it has provided over the years. From Tuesday 7 April, the A2I line will no longer be used as the route for urgent mental health support, with NHS 111 Option 2 becoming the first point of contact.
Gemma Stubbington, Associate Director – Mental Health, Isle of Wight Division, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “People who need urgent mental health support on the Isle of Wight will be able to access help by calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option. This gives people a simple, consistent route to trained professionals who can listen, offer support, and help them get the right care locally.”
This approach brings the Isle of Wight in line with the national NHS model for urgent mental health support, following the approach already adopted by other NHS trusts across England. It helps ensure residents can get the help they need promptly and safely.
With the Easter bank holiday approaching, residents are being made aware of this change, so they know how to access urgent mental health support if they need it.
Other support services remain available, including Safe Haven and Shout. If someone is in immediate danger or their life is at risk, they should call 999 or go to A&E.
Additional urgent mental health support is also available through services such as Safe Haven and Shout:
• Safe Haven – email: safehaven@twosaints.org.uk, telephone: 01983 520168
• Shout – Text ‘HANTS’ to 85258