Local mental health services partners with Shout
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight’s NHS 111 mental health triage team, run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, have partnered with Shout to provide in the moment mental health support to those in the local community. The partnership has been funded by the Hampshire and Isle of Wight CCG to help improve the wellbeing of residents across the county and digital access to mental health support.
People who live in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight can now text ‘HANTS’ to 85258 to be connected to a trained volunteer who can help with anxiety, stress, loneliness or depression. The keyword ‘HANTS’ represents an acronym for help anytime (even at night), text us for support.
Colin Bulpett, NHS 111 Service Manager, says “Having the opportunity to partner with Shout makes instant mental health support more accessible. If you find yourself in crisis after your interaction with Shout, they will advise you to phone NHS 111 or visit 111 online where you will receive a call back from an experienced mental health nurse from the mental health triage service run by Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.”
Shout’s trained volunteers are there for you 24/7 to listen and support you to get to a calmer and safer place. Shout is a free, confidential, anonymous service for anyone in the UK. It won’t show up on your phone bill.
Beth Ford, User Involvement Manager for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, says “I am pleased to say the keyword was chosen by our local community. I am really proud of this partnership as it means that users from our local community can receive localised help and support.”
The partnership launches during Mental Health Awareness Week where the theme is loneliness.
Sonya Mclean, Senior Programme Manager for Mental Health Crisis Care at the Hampshire, Southampton and Isle of Wight CCG said: “I would like to urge anyone who is feeling the pressure, to take advantage of the brilliant Shout service and send a text message. It is a free, confidential service and experts are there to help you and give you advice.”
Victoria Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations, the charity behind Shout said: “Shout is delighted to have partnered with Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust to offer our support to their communities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Our partnerships are so important for us to extend the mental health support we’re able to give to new audiences. This is a wonderful opportunity to offer people in the area free, confidential, in-the-moment mental health support as well as access to further localised mental health care. We hope that with Shout’s free, 24/7 service, those who need support will be able to find the courage to take a positive step forward and reach out to start a conversation.”