Mental health crisis support for all ages is now available 24hrs every day across Bedfordshire and Luton by calling NHS 111.

NHS 111 will act as a first point of contact for any adults, children or young people in urgent need of mental health help.

Callers will receive fast and responsive support from NHS mental health professionals by selecting Option 2.

The mental health call handlers will complete an immediate telephone triage and then signpost people to help and support or arrange a same-day mental health assessment by NHS mental health services for children and young people or adults.

The call handlers are based at Florence Ball House in Bedford Health Village, Kimbolton Road, Bedford.

The NHS 111 mental health crisis service is provided by East London NHS Foundation Trust (ELFT) which provides mental health services across Bedfordshire and Luton.

It will be supported by the Trust’s urgent mental health assessment centres at Florence Ball House and Calnwood Court on the site of Luton & Dunstable Hospital, which provide 24hr walk-in mental health crisis support for all ages.

“This is a huge step forward in providing more accessible and responsive mental health crisis care for people of all ages,” Dr Angharad Ruttley, the Trust’s Clinical Director for Crisis Care in Bedfordshire and Luton.

“NHS 111 is known and trusted by the public and will now act as a first point of contact for people experiencing serious mental health challenges who don’t think they can cope.

“It will also better connect all NHS mental health services across the county.”

The extended NHS 111 service went live at 08:00 today (Monday, June 15).