Wales mental health helpline marks milestone on World Mental Health Day
More than 200,000 people across Wales have called the NHS 111 press 2 service for urgent mental health support since its launch in December 2022.
The free, 24-hour helpline provides immediate access to trained mental health workers in local areas, offering same-day help without the need for a referral.
The service, which marks its latest milestone on World Mental Health Day (10 October), has now handled 200,900 calls. It is seen as a model for a new generation of open-access mental health support across Wales, helping people get assistance when and where they need it.
Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Sarah Murphy, said:
“The high levels of demand for 111 press 2 show how important it is to have support available when people need it most.
“Having this service available round the clock, every day of the year, shows how important immediate mental health support is for our communities.
“We need services like these to be available at the earliest stage possible, as they can help prevent mental health issues deteriorating and becoming more serious.
“It forms part of our ambition for Wales being the first nation to develop same-day mental health support, based on a stepped approach.”
Statistics show that most calls are made on Mondays and Tuesdays, with November and December seeing the highest demand. The most frequent users are people aged between 25 and 34, followed by those aged 35 to 44 and 45 to 54.
Ciara Rogers, national programme director for mental health in Wales, said:
“The 111 press 2 service plays a key role in early intervention and prevention. It’s a vital part of improving access to mental health services across Wales.
“We want people accessing mental health services in Wales to be guided to the right support, first time, without delay. 111 press 2 is a great example of what we are looking to achieve with our focus on same-day, open-access support.”
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