Suicide
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide 24/7 mental health support to prevent suicide.
Answered by Dr Zubir Ahmed
The 10-Year Health Plan sets out ambitious plans to boost mental health support across the country. This includes transforming mental health services into 24/7 neighbourhood mental health centres, improving assertive outreach and access to timely mental health care, expanding talking therapies, and giving patients better access to 24/7 support directly through the NHS App.
The Government has invested up to £120 million to increase the number of crisis assessment centres, which will provide reactive, short term intensive support for people in acute mental health crisis.
To strengthen access to urgent mental health support, anyone in England experiencing a mental health crisis can now to speak to a trained NHS professional at any time of the day through a mental health option on NHS 111. This integrated service can give patients of all ages the chance to be listened to by a trained member of staff who can help direct them to the right place.
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