A MENTAL health helpline launched to provide people with support during the coronavirus pandemic is moving to 111.

The round-the-clock Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Helpline was created to make it quicker and easier for adults and children in the two counties to get the right advice they need for their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Anyone concerned about their mental health or that of a loved one can ring the helpline at any time, day or night.

Since April more than 3,100 people have been supported by the helpline.

It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week for people who need mental health care when their situation is not life threatening.

It supports people of all ages including children and older adults.

ALSO READ: People able to book Covid vaccine in Oxford online after error

From December people calling Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Mental Health Helpline will be able to ring NHS 111 – with local mental health advisors from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust staffing a dedicated team of experts on hand to support people with their mental health.

Since the helpline launched specialist staff have been manning the phones from teams based at Oxford Health sites in the counties. Now staff will be based alongside 111 operators in Bicester.

Clinical director Rob Bale said: “If you have got any concerns please call 111 to speak to our mental health professionals. We’re here and ready to listen. The helpline is open round the clock to support adults and children who need advice urgently and ensure they get the right help at the right time.”

People can call Buckinghamshire & Oxfordshire Mental Health Helpline when they need to find out when and where to get help and to access support from mental health professionals for a range of conditions and symptoms including anxiety, low mood, stress, worry, difficulty with relationships, crying often, feeling helpless, confusion, hallucinations or hearing voices.

If anyone’s life is in immediate danger always call 999.

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on news@nqo.com or 01865 425 445