111 option 2 is the number to call for urgent mental health help in Norfolk and Waveney

From today people of all ages in Norfolk and Waveney will need to call 111 option 2 to access support for urgent mental health needs previously known as the First Response service.

Stuart Richardson, chief executive officer at Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) said: "Since its launch in April 2020 our mental health crisis line has received over 100,000 calls.

"By providing direct access 24 hours a day, seven days a week to a team of mental health professionals offering information, advice, brief psychological interventions, and a crisis response where needed, many service users and carers have been supported and their needs prevented from escalating further."

The urgent mental health helpline will still be available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The team answering the calls is still the same there’s just a new number to call.

Cath Byford, chief nurse at NHS Norfolk and Waveney clinical commissioning group said: "The change to the phone number for urgent mental health support is all about ensuring people who need quick access to crisis mental health support can do so through a simple, nationally recognised number, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"It’s so important that in times of need people have somewhere to turn for help, and now in Norfolk and Waveney, 111 is the number for people of any age to call when they are in mental crisis."

For more information contact nsft.communications@nsft.nhs.uk