Everyturn Mental Health, a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting mental health, has reported that it has successfully assisted over 15,000 individuals in North Yorkshire during the first quarter of providing the NHS 111 Mental Health First Response Service.
The service, which was fully launched in May this year, is designed to offer immediate telephone-based support to people experiencing mental health crises. By calling NHS 111 and selecting the mental health option, individuals can access a dedicated team trained to provide compassionate, person-centred care. This new national service serves as a single point of access for urgent mental health needs across the region.
Everyturn collaborates closely with the Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys (TEWV) NHS Foundation Trust, a partnership that enhances the delivery of mental health crisis support services in North Yorkshire, York, and Selby. Since its launch, the 111 service has shown remarkable effectiveness, with only 30% of callers needing referral to TEWV’s crisis teams for further clinical support.
Luke Herron, the manager of the NHS 111 Mental Health First Response Service at Everyturn, expressed pride in the service’s accomplishments. He stated, “Our team of highly skilled and compassionate professionals are on hand to support people in mental health crisis, provide reassurance, and ensure they are directed to a service that is most suited to their needs.”
Herron emphasised that the support team is available 24/7, responding to calls with sensitivity and encouragement. “I’m incredibly proud of the service and the team, and I’m overjoyed with the positive impact that the service is having on people calling NHS 111,” he added.
The importance of the service was echoed by Vicky Ellis, modern matron for TEWV’s adult crisis teams in North Yorkshire, York, and Selby. “We are proud to be working in partnership with Everyturn to deliver our telephone-based crisis service,” she remarked. “Everyturn provides the initial contact with people experiencing a mental health crisis, ensuring they are welcomed with a kind and compassionate response, followed by appropriate help and support.”
Ellis noted that the nature of mental health crises can vary significantly from person to person. Everyturn plays a crucial role in assessing the specifics of each individual’s situation, ensuring that their needs are met by the most suitable services. This targeted approach helps to streamline the process, allowing qualified crisis clinicians to focus on calls that require their specialised knowledge.
The success of the NHS 111 Mental Health First Response Service highlights the growing need for accessible mental health support, particularly in times of crisis. As awareness of mental health issues continues to rise, initiatives like those implemented by Everyturn serve as essential lifelines for individuals in need of urgent help.
Through their commitment to compassionate care and effective service delivery, Everyturn and TEWV are making a significant impact on the mental health landscape in North Yorkshire, providing vital support to those in crisis and contributing to the overall wellbeing of the community.