New text service for people suffering a mental health crisis in Surrey (From Surrey Comet)
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New text service for people suffering a mental health crisis in Surrey
6:10am Tuesday 1st December 2009 in News By Helen Crane
The crisis telephone helpline for people with mental health problems has now been extended so adults in Surrey and North East Hampshire can send text messages via their mobile phone.
It is intended mainly for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, but anyone who would prefer to contact the helpline by text can do so. All someone who uses mental health services needs to do is text a brief message indicating the nature of the crisis to this new number: 07717 989024. A text will be sent in response.
The main telephone crisis help line for voice calls remains unchanged: 0300 456 8342.
Since its introduction in April, crisis helpline staff have responded to over 4,000 calls from people with mental health problems with over half of those callers receiving counselling from the trust’s trained staff over the telephone.
The crisis helpline is available for people between the ages of 18 and 65 out of hours from 5pm to 9am Monday to Friday, with 24-hour cover at weekends including bank holidays.
