24/7 mental health support now available over the phone in Swansea Bay
People living in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot who need urgent support with mental health issues can now call a team of mental health professionals for free, day or night.
Six years ago the health board was the first in Wales to pilot the free 111 phone service aimed at helping people get urgent healthcare support and advice around the clock.
Since then many thousands of people have contacted 111 for help about a wide range of clinical concerns, and the 111 service has been rolled out across Wales.
Now the 111 service in Swansea Bay has moved into an exciting new phase, aimed at supporting anyone with an urgent mental health issue.
Call 111 Option 2 puts callers in direct contact with a team of 20 mental health professionals based at Neath Port Talbot Hospital.
Callers can phone 111 and select option 2, where they will be put through to a qualified mental health nurse or practitioner.
The service is available for anyone in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot with a mental health concern, including relatives who need advice.
Call 111 Option 2 is running 24 hours a day, seven days a week, offering a triage service and support or signposting as appropriate.
Callers will be supported by fully trained clinicians working as part of a multi-disciplinary team including mental health nurses, psychological wellbeing practitioners and occupational therapists.
Mental health nurse Nina Jarvis, who is leading the team, explained:
“Each practitioner is experienced in providing holistic, individualised mental health and wellbeing assessments for people presenting with mental health and wellbeing concerns.
“Working via telephone, the team triage each call to ensure a safe and appropriate outcome.
“During the call the team will provide brief psychological interventions, de-escalate and coach people in distress. If required they will signpost to community services, or provide onward referral to mental health services.”
She added:
“Early interventions like this can make a big difference to someone who is experiencing mental health and wellbeing issues. Speaking to a trained professional who understands and can offer the right support at an early stage can often prevent situations from escalating.
“We are here at the end of a telephone line throughout the day and night, because we understand that mental health concerns are not limited to office hours.”
Rydym yn croesawu gohebiaeth a galwadau ffôn yn y Gymraeg neu'r Saesneg. Atebir gohebiaeth Gymraeg yn y Gymraeg, ac ni fydd hyn yn arwain at oedi. Mae’r dudalen hon ar gael yn Gymraeg drwy bwyso’r botwm ar y dde ar frig y dudalen.
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