‘Lifeline’ service receives 550 calls from suicidal people in just five months

Stoke-on-trent City Council and Brighter Futures agree to keep mental health helpline running 24/7 for another six months. reports

MORE than 500 suicidal people have called a helpline since it became a 24-hour service in response to the pandemic.

Stoke-on-trent City Council helped Brighter Futures turn its existing Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline into a roundthe-clock service at the start of the second national lockdown in November.

Since then it has received 23,244 calls from vulnerable people, including 555 from callers who said they were feeling suicidal. Many of these calls came outside the service’s previous operating hours.

Now the council has agreed to keep the helpline going 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for another six months.

Experts have previously warned that Covid-19 could be causing a mental health epidemic, due to people facing extended periods of isolation, financial uncertainty and fear of the virus itself.

The helpline provides callers with a safe space to talk about the issues they are facing. Call handlers from Brighter Futures can then signpost callers to the most appropriate support services.

Councillor Ally Simcock, left, cabinet member for adult social care and health care at the city council, said: “I am thrilled we are able to extend the 24-hour mental health helpline for another six months – it has proven to be a lifeline to people who have sadly been struggling with their mental health.

“Brighter Futures already had the established Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline in place, and were able to work together to extend its opening hours.

“Since the 24-hour element was launched in November, 4,517 calls have been made during the extended hours, with 160 of these being from people who felt suicidal.

“These numbers show the amount of people in our city and across Staffordshire who are sadly facing struggles with their mental health, but I am pleased we are able to offer some comfort and support through the helpline.

“It doesn’t matter whether you’re having a bad day or have been struggling with mental health issues for some time, we are here for you, so please do call the helpline if you need to.”

The helpline previously operated between 7pm and 2am on weekdays, and between 2pm to 2am at the weekend.

Helpline manager Eunice Burke said: “The Staffordshire Mental Health Helpline, part of our mental health provision, has provided an immediate point of contact for people in the local area since 2000 – and provides emotional support for people concerned about their mental health or someone they know.

“We’re extremely thankful for our partners – Stoke-on-trent City Council and NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups across Staffordshire.

“They provide us with the resource, guidance, and support to provide what is a life-saving service.”

■ The helpline is on 01782 234233, with freephone number 0808 8002234.

A text messaging support service can be accessed via 07860 022821, and information about an instant messaging support service can be found at https://www.brighterfutures.org.uk/contact-brighterfutures/

Further information about support services can be found at https:// www.stoke.gov.uk/supportservices