24 hour mental health crisis line launched for children and families in Surrey
The freephone number is 0800 915 4644
A new 24 hour mental health crisis line for children, young people, and families has been launched in Surrey.
It is staffed by a team of trained call handlers and mental health nurses to provide emotional wellbeing support, advice, and signposting to local services.
The freephone number is 0800 915 4644.
This is the same telephone number as the adult mental health crisis line, but it is now also available for all children and young people from the age of six, and their families, by selecting option one.
The number is available to all Surrey families.
This includes those who are already receiving mental health services, for those who are not, and no formal request for support is needed.
The service has been launched by the county’s NHS mental health Trust: Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Justine Leonard, Director of Children’s Wellbeing and Mental Health Services at Surrey and Borders Partnership, said:
“We know that managing unwell children can be distressing for families so we are making it easier to access advice in crisis situations.
“A key aim of the crisis line is to help support young people, carers and families whilst they are at home and in the wider community providing immediate support, care and advice that helps them to manage their crisis and access the help that they need.
"Therefore, whenever possible, this will help avoid the need for children and young people to go to hospital in a crisis.
"We feel sure that this new service will help reduce the strain on families and provide them with much-needed friendly and professional support especially when times are really tough.”
A group of young people were asked what a 24 hour crisis line would mean to them, and their replies included:
“It means to be able to call someone at 2am”, “Someone to tell you what your options are”, and “Someone to listen to you”.