Planned changes to our Mental Health Crisis Line
On 1 October 2026, our current 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line number (0800 028 8000) will transition to NHS 111.
You'll still reach local crisis support teams – the difference is that NHS 111 provides a single, simple and nationally recognised number, making it easier and quicker to access urgent mental health support. Anyone, of any age, experiencing a mental health crisis, or worried about a friend, family member or someone they support, should call NHS 111 and select the mental health option after this date.
Mental health calls to NHS 111 will continue to be answered by trained mental health professionals who provide high-quality local support and response. The service will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for all ages, including children and young people.
From 1 October 2026, a recorded message on our current Crisis Line number will advise callers to hang up and contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option. There will not be a call divert in place. Instead, the message will reassure callers that they will receive crisis support through NHS 111.
Simplifying access to urgent mental health support
NHS 111 for mental health has been available to South West London residents since December 2023 and is already a key route into urgent mental health support for patients, carers, partners and our wider community.
What is changing now is that our Trust's Mental Health Crisis Line is becoming fully integrated into this service, alongside other south London NHS mental health trusts.
This change is part of a national NHS programme designed to:
- Make it easier for people to find help during a mental health crisis
- Provide a single, easy-to-remember number for urgent care
- Ensure parity of access between mental and physical health support through NHS 111
What happens next?
Until 1 October 2026, our Mental Health Crisis Line (0800 028 8000) will continue to operate as normal.
Over the coming months, we will work closely with patients, carers, colleagues and partner organisations across South West London to ensure everyone understands how to access urgent mental health support through NHS 111. Further information and resources will be shared ahead of the transition.
Will this affect the SLP CAMHS Crisis Line?
No. The South London Partnership (SLP) CAMHS Crisis Line (020 3228 5980) will continue to operate as normal between 9am and 11pm, providing professional mental health advice and support from CAMHS clinicians to:
- Children and young people
- Families and carers
- Anyone concerned about a young person's mental health
From 1 October 2026, outside of these hours, callers will be asked to contact NHS 111 and select the mental health option, rather than calling the Trust's 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line.
As with adult services, callers will continue to reach local mental health crisis support through NHS 111. The change simply makes it easier and quicker to access urgent support through a single NHS number. Mental health calls to NHS 111 will continue to be answered by trained professionals, providing high-quality local support 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
