New 24-hour helpline launches for those struggling with affects of pandemic

News – 4 September 2020

A new 24/7 phoneline to help people cope with the pressures of Covid-19 and beyond has been launched for people in the Bristol, North Somerset and South Glos region.
mh

The 24/7 Support & Connect Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people over 18 who might be struggling with issues such as debt, loneliness, relationship worries or employment problems.

Calls are handled by fully-trained counsellors who can give immediate help who also have  access to a database of more than 300 organisations which can help a caller find further advice.

The confidential helpline is funded by Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Clinical Commissioning Group (BNSSG CCG), in partnership with Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust (AWP) and run by Vita Health Group.

Call 0800 0126549 or visit the website for further information: www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/247supportandconnect

Whilst the line was set up in response to the Covid-19 outbreak, it is planned to be a continued part of the support system and remain available to those living within BNSSG, who may wish to call about other concerns in the future.

All calls are confidential and callers will only need to provide limited personal details.

 

The helpline is there for anyone who may be struggling, whether they have concerns over employment as the furlough scheme comes to an end, finances, health worries or issues with family or bereavement. It’s here to provide people with a first port of call for any issues that may be concerning so that they can be given some immediate help as well as advice on where to get further help.
— Dr Umber Malik, clinical lead for mental health at BNSSG CCG

Share your views

You can help make health and care services better by sharing your experiences and ideas.

Talk to us

You might also be interested in

Young woman
Mental health service 'gaps' during Covid-19
The health pandemic has resulted in many mental health support services either being suspended or becoming ‘self-service’ over the internet due to social distancing.
28 April 2020
News
shine on
New suicide prevention campaign Shine On launches in Bristol area
Shine On is a group of major organisations working together to prevent suicide particularly in young people age 16-25, middle-aged men and those in the LGBT communities which are the higher risk groups.
6 December 2019
News
mental health
New bench to raise awareness of mental health is conversation starter
A bench called Clevedon’s Talking Point has been living up to is name and has been attracting a lot of interest from seafront walkers. It was erected to coincide with Mental Health Day on October 10th.
8 November 2019
News