Changes to mental health support line

Changes are being made this month to a mental health telephone support service which helps people in Scarborough.

Crisis Call will cease to operate on April 30 and is being replaced with a new service provided by North Yorkshire County Council on May 1.

Service users contacted The Scarborough News to voice concerns about the end of Crisis Call, which has been a much valued and “lifesaving” service.

A council spokeswoman said: “North Yorkshire County Council consulted residents on the future of the county’s mental health telephone

services at the end of 2014.

“The aim of the consultation was to develop a single service which would improve access for all North Yorkshire residents and provide value for money for the county council and the clinical commissioning groups.

“Following the consultation, proposals for the new mental health support service will see the current Crisis Call service cease to operate on April 30. On May 1, a new Mental Health Telephone Support Service will begin which will cover the whole of North Yorkshire.

“Between now and May 1, all callers will be given information about the new service when they contact Crisis Call, after receiving support for their presenting concern.

“Each caller will be told how to contact the new service and Crisis Call staff will respond to any concerns callers may have about this change and take appropriate action to minimise any impact.

“The county council sees the new service as a better way of consistently meeting the needs of North Yorkshire residents who need support and advice with their mental health outside normal working hours.”